Not to mention it would be a pretty cool ride.

Perhaps Fort Worth’s official website says it best: “This mode of transportation could open the door to a contemporary, urbanized Fort Worth, connecting neighborhoods and business corridors, promoting economic development in key areas and creating high-density and mixed-used development in the heart of the city.”

Contemporary? Urbanized? Connecting neighborhoods and business corridors? Could Fort Worth’s modern streetcar project be any more closely aligned with our vision at So7? No wonder we love public transportation so much.

Sure, the modern streetcar system would be a neat addition to the cityscape, but if you are like us, you may be wondering: where does the project stand now? Well, here’s a quick synopsis of the project’s recent developments and next steps.

In June the city’s Streetcar Task Force met with the consulting engineering firm, HDR Engineering, to discuss the scope of services for Phase 1 and 2. The task force reviewed the framework for the route options, economic analysis and evaluation criteria.

Now HDR is putting together a comprehensive picture of the project’s overall economic impact on the city. A study is also underway to examine funding sources for the project. These steps will help determine the feasibility of streetcars in Fort Worth.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, there is an open house and a public meeting about the project next Monday, August 9th, at 5:30 pm at the Intermodal Transportation Center. For complete details, click here or call Janeen Wells at 817-332-0404.

Soon the whole world will get a taste of what we already know and love—the restaurants, the bars, the whole North Texas vibe. So whether you tune in for the big game or the commercials, we’ll see you right back here in February.

FORT WORTH, Texas (July 21, 2010) — Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and Ed Bass, developer of Sundance Square, announced today ESPN, Inc. has chosen downtown Fort Worth’s Sundance Square as its production headquarters for Super Bowl XLV. More than 80 hours of ESPN television coverage, as well as ESPN Radio shows, and other related content across ESPN’s multimedia platforms will be based out of Sundance Square. On-site telecasts will begin Monday, January 31st, 2011, and all shows will be open for free public viewing.

“I cannot think of a better partner for Fort Worth than ESPN,” said Mayor Mike Moncrief. “Super Bowl week is going to be very special for our citizens and ESPN will add to the excitement. We welcome the ESPN team into our family.”  ESPN selected Sundance Square for its ability to showcase the historic Tarrant County Courthouse, skyscrapers and the notable settings in and around Sundance Square.

ESPN will construct a large outdoor set in the Chisholm Trail lot at the heart of Sundance Square with Richard Haas’ three-story trompe l’oeil The Chisholm Trail mural as the backdrop. A separate ESPN Radio set and a demonstration field will also be built in this area. Equipment and production trucks will sit adjacent to the Chisholm Trail lot on the parking lot near the Flying Saucer.

Some of ESPN’s most popular programs will originate from Sundance Square throughout the week, including daily editions of Mike & Mike in the Morning, SportsCenter, NFL Live, a special three-hour edition of Sunday NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday and more.

Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Ron Jaworski, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Stuart Scott, Hannah Storm, Trey Wingo and Steve Young are among the many on-air commentators expected to be featured throughout Super Bowl week, along with top guests from the world of sports and entertainment. Program schedules will be released at a later date and all shows will be open for public viewing.

“This is one of the biggest broadcasting opportunities we have ever hosted,” said Ed Bass, Sundance Square developer. “As the cultural heart of the city, Sundance Square offers the perfect location, availability of space, and built-in audience where ESPN can interact with our visitors. ESPN will benefit from this dynamic urban environment and Fort Worth will be showcased as a vibrant, authentic, and diverse city to millions of people across the country.”

ESPN the Magazine has also chosen Fort Worth as the site for its annual NEXT event, one of Super Bowl week’s top parties. ESPN the Magazine will announce the event venue later this year.

ESPN’s Super Bowl week coverage from Fort Worth will be seen and heard across ESPN’s many domestic networks — including in Spanish on ESPN Deportes — and available in more than 100 countries and territories via ESPN International. In addition, ESPN Radio 103.3, the wholly-owned ESPN property based in Dallas-Ft. Worth and one of 750 ESPN Radio affiliates nationwide, will broadcast from Sundance Square during the week.

“The city and business leaders from Fort Worth and Sundance Square have welcomed ESPN with open arms, and we are thrilled that our production headquarters, ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT party and other related events will originate from this world-class destination throughout the week of Super Bowl XLV,” said ESPN Executive Vice President John Skipper.

Super Bowl XLV will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 6th, 2011.

One way the magazine does this is by turning to its readers once a year to ask their opinion on Tarrant County’s finest on everything from the trendiest restaurants to the hottest hangout spots. Well, when it comes to popular places to live, this year the people spoke loud and clear, naming the 7th Street area as the Best Development for 2010.

Here’s what the magazine had to say about our favorite stomping grounds: “Sluggish economy? Nobody seemed to let the 7th Street corridor between downtown and the cultural district know about it. Quickly becoming a hub for retail and commercial activity in Fort Worth, 7th Street shows no signs of slowing down.”

To see the article for yourself, visit the magazine’s online publication.

Here are five eclectic and essential things to do this summer, and all are within a short drive from your home at So7. Oh, and check out the Juneteenth Music Festival which starts this Friday.

1.) Concerts in the Garden, May 28th to July 4th: Described as “Fort Worth’s best seasonal outing!” (Star-Telegram), the 20th annual Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival offers 19 nights of outdoor concerts at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Bring a picnic and relax on a blanket under the stars or reserve your own table for added comfort. The summer music series is a great bargain for families! For more information, visit the Fort Worth Symphony.

2.) Juneteenth Music Festival & Celebration, June 18th to 19th: Everyone is invited to the inaugural Juneteenth Music Festival & Celebration in Sundance Square. You’ll discover great art, music, food and so much more!  The festival opens to the public Friday at 4 pm and Saturday at 2 pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Renaissance Cultural Center Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit Sundance Square.

3.) Something Intangible, June 24th to July 24th: This new play was written by Bruce Graham, directed by Matthew Gray and will be presented by Circle Theatre. Plot synopsis: It’s Hollywood, 1940. Two brothers struggle to run a studio on the brink of a major movie innovation.  One is a visionary and the other a “numbers man.”  If they don’t kill each other first, together, they will create something intangible. For more information, visit the Circle Theatre.

4.) Jubilee Theatre presents Blues in the Night, July 23rd to August 15th: The universal language of the blues wails out full and strong in this dynamite “dramatic revue” of 26 hot numbers that tell of the sweet, sexy and sorrowful experiences three women have with the lying, cheating snake of a man who does them wrong. With little spoken text, the interweaving stories are defined through glorious songs which cover the range of this indigenous American art form. For more information, visit the Jubilee Theatre today!

5.) National Day of The American Cowboy, July 24th: Come celebrate the history and heritage of the American Cowboy at the Third Annual National Day of The American Cowboy (NDAC). Voted best cowboy tribute event in the nation by American Cowboy Magazine, NDAC gives families and the general public the opportunity to experience and appreciate the role cowboys and cowgirls of all ethnicities have played and continue to play in everyday life. For more information, visit Stockyards Station.

So7 is in the news again!  Click below to see the video.