Hey y’all,

After a long weekend, Monday can feel especially Monday-ish, amirite? But I can’t stop thinking about this quote from Katie’s story below. It’s from a Fort Worth resident upset about a $10 billion data center development being proposed in the city.

Pamela Roberts Jimison said she was disappointed the developer wasn’t present at last week’s open house, and raised concerns that this would be its first data center. “ They’re going to use us like guinea pigs,” she said. 

Needless to say, I kept reading. I think you will too.

Hundreds of residents gathered at Fort Worth City Hall on Tuesday, June 30, to learn more about data centers. (Courtesy of Noemi Castanon)

By Katie Serrano

Sue Weston owns a historical garden in Fort Worth. The city wants to build a data center 300 feet from it—about the length of a football field. 

“They’ve already rezoned two sides immediately around my 100-year-old garden,” Weston told Courier Texas during a data center open house the city hosted Tuesday night. “Everything that I’ve read, there’s not going to be anything good to come out of it. But the city’s already made up their mind, now they’re just trying to convince us this is a good thing.”

Weston is referring to a 187-acre site plan for a $10 billion data center located in southeast Fort Worth proposed by energy company Black Mountain. Fort Worth currently has four data center developments in the city spanning more than 3 million square feet, according to information shared at Tuesday’s event. Another is currently under construction, and an additional four within city limits have been proposed, including Black Mountain’s.

Following ongoing resident pushback, the city presented a series of proposed amendments to regulations related to data center developments, including zoning, noise, water, and economic development standards. But some residents don’t believe the proposals, or Tuesday’s open house, are in good faith.

Cadillac Ranch. (Courtesy of Richie Diesterheft/CC BY 2.0)

Editor’s note: Since we’re in the thick of summer vacation travel season—and who’s taking flights in this economy—we thought we’d bring back this oldie but goodie. 

By Joey Held

Texas has the largest highway network of any US state, with more than 314,000 miles of public roads. While you can certainly find long stretches of nothing around you except desert or farmland, spend enough time on the road, and you’ll eventually spot something that catches your eye.

Between enormous cutouts of famous actors, a gargantuan pair of cowboy boots, and a record-setting knife, Texas has no shortage of bizarre roadside attractions. Here are 10 of the strangest—stop in admiration the next time you pass them! 

(Courtesy of Xander89/CC BY 2.0)

As soccer fans continue to gather at Fair Park for the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival this month, they’re celebrating on the same grounds that once hosted one of the wildest sporting events in Dallas history.

In July 1984, Fair Park was home to the city’s only Formula One Grand Prix. Triple-digit temperatures caused the pavement to break apart during the race, and only eight of the 26 drivers finished—making it one of the most infamous races in Formula One history.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Katie Serrano and Joey Held. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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