Denton Is 9th Fastest In Nation In Growth

[NT80]

Denton is 9th fastest in growth

Among nation’s large cities, population increase in top ten

07:37 AM CDT on Thursday, June 28, 2007

By Lowell Brown / Staff Writer

The city that claims to be “North of Ordinary” has a new reason to brag.

Denton is the nation’s ninth-fastest-growing large city, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released today.

“It is good news because it says something about the fact that our community is well thought of and people want to bring their business, their industry and their residence here,” Mayor Perry Mc­Neill said. “The bad news is that with growth comes challenges.”

Denton’s population surged from 104,264 in July 2005 to 109,561 in July 2006, a rise of 5.1 percent, census estimates show.

That places Denton among the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the United States with populations of 100,000 or more. The city shares the list with two North Texas neighbors: McKinney (No. 2) and Grand Prairie (No. 6).

Ranking first is North Las Vegas, Nev., which saw a growth rate of 11.9 percent from an influx of 21,040 residents.

Growth means more tax revenue for local governments, but it also requires additional roads, water and sewer lines and other infrastructure.

A city also needs commercial and industrial growth to accompany a population boom, said Chuck Carpenter, president of the Denton Chamber of Commerce.

“If you’re going to grow, you better have the infrastructure to accommodate it, and you only have the infrastructure if you have the tax base to support it,” Carpenter said.

“You’ve got to have the bigger tax base that comes from commercial and industrial.”

The chamber’s “North of Ordinary” slogan is aimed at attracting businesses to Denton. Officials don’t want the city to be just another suburb, supplying workers for Dallas and Fort Worth, Carpenter said.

Denton’s population growth is “a positive sign for existing retailers … but just more people coming to town without corresponding career opportunities could almost be a negative,” Carpenter said. “But I’d rather this be the challenge than people leaving town by the hordes because something’s gone bust.”

Denton school district Planning Director Gene Holloway said the district, which stretches over 180 square miles, has experienced between 7 percent and 8 percent growth or higher over the last three years. With an expected 21,000 students enrolling this fall, the district is still only 30 percent to 40 percent built out, he said.

“We have quite a lot of room for growth in the district,” Holloway said.

On average, the district opens one elementary school a year and two elementary schools every three years, he said. For every three elementary schools that open, that generally requires one middle school; and for every two or three middle schools that open, that could require a new high school.

Holloway said district administrators have been proactive about keeping ahead of growth. The school board is considering a bond election this year that will prepare the district for the next five years at least.

Residential activity usually brings in commercial and industrial growth as well, which helps the district meet the needs of increasing student populations, Holloway said.

“We certainly would hope and look for additional industrial and light industrial to assist in the tax values and overall cost of impact of new student growth,” he said.

Two other Texas cities were among the nation’s 25 fastest-growing large cities from July 2005 to July 2006, according to the Census Bureau. Fort Worth (No. 11) added 30,201 new residents, for a 4.8 percent growth rate. Laredo (No. 23) grew by 6,549 residents, an increase of 3.1 percent.

Only one Texas city was among the country’s top 25 large cities with the most population loss during the same time period. Beaumont’s population fell by 1,637 residents, or 1.5 percent, placing it fourth on the list behind New Orleans; Hialeah, Fla.; and St. Louis.

[Dodge2007]

Hopefully, that leads to more attendance in the grand scheme of things. We have to get the folks from Denton to get their ass to the games.

[GreenBlooded1]

The question is how do we, the true fanbase, help Dodge make the Mean Green into Denton's team? The community is large enough to fill the stadium to capacity for every game without anyone from the rest of the metroplex even driving in for a game. The school has to do something that they are not doing/have not been doing to make this happen. What that is exactly, I am not sure. But if someone could figure it out and somehow connect with the general public, attendance and area pride could sky rocket.

I spoke with a co-worker just yesterday who is not even a college graduate. She is always wearing UT stuff and has a new UT trinket on her desk. I asked her about it and she said.... "well I'm from Texas so I support UT." This seems to be the case with many people. They grasp onto and throw their allegiance behind a "local" team -- in her case, local = within the state.

We need to get the folks in Denton and the surrounding areas throwing their support behind UNT. It's not just about UNT. It is also about Denton. It is a great place to live and take pride in. It is and has been growing like crazy. I've been in Denton since moving here in '72 and have seen many changes. I am not only a pround NTSU/UNT alum but am also proud to say that I'm from Denton. There has got to be something that the University can do to connect with the average citizen. Any ideas??

[greenminer]

There has got to be something that the University can do to connect with the average citizen. Any ideas??

The obvious: win.

[GreenBlooded1]

Ok, yea win... duh!

What else?? The Cubbies have fans even when they don't win, the Packers have fans even when they don't win. I guess that in Texas we are all just fair weather fans? You can't pay someone to take Cowboys tickets when they $uck. I hate to think that all fans in the North Texas area are like that but I guess that the proof is in the pudding, eh?

[GreenN'walinsVet]

I believe we have already made the first and greatest move we could of done in hiring dodge. He is a man that makes the community stand up and be proud of their local university instead of putting them down every chance they could. This attitude change will help alot

Edited June 28, 2007 by GreenN'walinsVet

[greenminer]

Ok, yea win... duh!

What else?? The Cubbies have fans even when they don't win, the Packers have fans even when they don't win. I guess that in Texas we are all just fair weather fans? You can't pay someone to take Cowboys tickets when they $uck. I hate to think that all fans in the North Texas area are like that but I guess that the proof is in the pudding, eh?

I seem to recall those aforementioned franchises having decades and decades of winning tradition, and thus fans that hopelessly hold on to those memories even during the bad times.

We have spats of glorious years throughout our history, but not much of a tradition (especially at the D1 level) to hang our hats on, with the exception of a nice 4 year run through the Belt, which we are 18 losses and 2 seasons removed from. Hopefully some consistent success with Dodge will help erase the aches of the last 2 years from our stomaches.

[Baby Arm!]

Part of the problem is that Denton is in the DFW media market so we are woefully underserved with TV coverage after all the pro teams and other local colleges. If UNT were located in someplace like Sherman, a much smaller media market with it's own TV stations we'd get much more coverage and local support. Of course being in a top 5 media market makes us more marketable to conferences, sponsers, etc. So take your pick. Would you rather be a little fish in the big pond, or the big fish in the little pond?

[Dodge2007]

Man, I just hope the Dodge momentum can last. Hopefully, it will last and he'll stick around awhile to get UNT over the hump.

We need the stadium and the indoor practice facility to be more competitive. WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE DODGE DREAM! To be the team of the Metro Plex.

[PlummMeanGreen]

Man, I just hope the Dodge momentum can last. Hopefully, it will last and he'll stick around awhile to get UNT over the hump.

We need the stadium and the indoor practice facility to be more competitive. WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE DODGE DREAM! To be the team of the Metro Plex.

Amen and amen and amen......."We will have to have such facilities sooner than later to keep a talent like Todd Dodge" (as I quote a longtime friend and fellow NT Ex).

As a new member of GMG.com, welcome to the board, Dodge2007. You have a most astute insight as far as UNT and our football program is concerned as I've read your handful of posts. I'm sure most of our young gun alums and "old timers" would be interested to know what your connection is to UNT? Keep on posting.... NOTE: Maybe a poll would be in order to see how many are new posters (less than a month on GMG.com; posters who've been on less than 6 months; posters who been members for over a year? (Don't worry, board veterans, I am not about to start posting polls again).

Edited June 29, 2007 by PlummMeanGreen

[SilverEagle]

Man, I just hope the Dodge momentum can last.

That's up to us. I've said several times that we have the same opportunity that we had when we hired Hayden Fry. Fry got the fan base going, but when he left, the administration (who wasn't ready for a Hayden Fry-type program) didn't hire the "next" Hayden Fry. Since then, (except for Corky Nelson) we've had one administrative hiring SNAFU after another.

We now have an administration in place that is ready to do the right thing for our athletic program. They've hired the right type AD, who has FINALLY been able to hire the right kind of coach. And when he's successful here (and he will be), he'll get hired away from us. Our administration will then (hopefully) hire the next Todd Dodge/Hayden Fry-type coach and keep the program moving forward.

It's not rocket science. But it won't happen unless WE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND TELL ANYONE AND EVERYONE WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH THAT NORTH TEXAS IS THE PREMIER PROGRAM IN NORTH TEXAS.

[LongJim]

It's not rocket science. But it won't happen unless WE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND TELL ANYONE AND EVERYONE WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH THAT NORTH TEXAS IS THE PREMIER PROGRAM IN NORTH TEXAS.

Nutshell.

[PlummMeanGreen]

That's up to us. I've said several times that we have the same opportunity that we had when we hired Hayden Fry. Fry got the fan base going, but when he left, the administration (who wasn't ready for a Hayden Fry-type program) didn't hire the "next" Hayden Fry. Since then, (except for Corky Nelson) we've had one administrative hiring SNAFU after another.

We now have an administration in place that is ready to do the right thing for our athletic program. They've hired the right type AD, who has FINALLY been able to hire the right kind of coach. And when he's successful here (and he will be), he'll get hired away from us. Our administration will then (hopefully) hire the next Todd Dodge/Hayden Fry-type coach and keep the program moving forward.

It's not rocket science. But it won't happen unless WE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND TELL ANYONE AND EVERYONE WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH THAT NORTH TEXAS IS THE PREMIER PROGRAM IN NORTH TEXAS.

People talk about having models for their football programs, but what better model for UNT than Boise State; you know, our former conference-mate in the Big West that seems to show up in the Top 25 most any football season?

What was it, about 4 or 5 head football coaches in the last 9 or so years at BSU and even their 1'st year coach of last year taking the Broncos to a BCS Championship Bowl and beating some school's football team that wear crimson and cream unis'?

Boise State has found the right formula for their school, hopefully we will to if we start going thru some high commodity/in demand NCAA D1-A HFC's in Mean Green Country in the next decade or so.

[Daddy Dumpsalot]

There has got to be something that the University can do to connect with the average citizen. Any ideas??

Better quality opponents. It has worked in the past when we have a quality opponent. Winning did nothing for attendence, giving away free shirts did nothing, giving away a car didn't either, playing SMU and Baylor did.

[CMJ]

Better quality opponents. It has worked in the past when we have a quality opponent. Winning did nothing for attendence, giving away free shirts did nothing, giving away a car didn't either, playing SMU and Baylor did.

If you say winning did nothing you weren't here when we had about 1K or less fans in the stands at the end of the Big West era.

[Eagle1855]

Better quality opponents. It has worked in the past when we have a quality opponent. Winning did nothing for attendence, giving away free shirts did nothing, giving away a car didn't either, playing SMU and Baylor did.

I wouldn't say winning did nothing... it certainly helped. People came out and supported a winner. Winning is probably the biggest factor to having people come out.

But I agree, the next biggest factor is better quality opponents- or at LEAST household names. Baylor and SMU both proved that. And Navy will do so again this year in a game which I suspect will have attendance that rivals or surpasses the 2003 Baylor game.

Edited June 29, 2007 by Eagle1855

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Better quality opponents. It has worked in the past when we have a quality opponent. Winning did nothing for attendence, giving away free shirts did nothing, giving away a car didn't either, playing SMU and Baylor did.

----Better quality really isn't the issue.... BETTER KNOWN and other universities IN THE AREA who have alums and sstudents that our students and alums associate with. You hate to lose to your friends more than just some random stranger.. The quality of smu and baylor football is nothing to get excited about... after all we have defeated them so they are no better (maybe worse) than we are. In fact we defeated smu with a team that was 3-9 which includes a win over them. The "Old Grey Pony" ain't what she used to be, will likely never be again to the regret of the smu-tters... (thank you Gov. Clements) A new sherriff is in the Dallas-metroplex area and they are wearing Green.

[Daddy Dumpsalot]

If you say winning did nothing you weren't here when we had about 1K or less fans in the stands at the end of the Big West era.

This is true. However, I was there all the years we were winning our conference games left and right and the championships and watch the school struggle with getting fans in the games. If winning was all there is then you would have seen after our first season dominating the SBC attendence climb and so on and so forth, but you didn't. All the years it was steady, unless we played a named team.

[greenminer]

I don't think you can separate the two. Winning and "brand name" teams (what is that anyways?) go hand in hand. People are going to stop coming if you continue to whip up on the bottom-feeders, and people are going to stop coming if you continually get whipped by brand name teams. Because it only reinforces that we are the bottom feeder.

Heck, I sometimes think it's just a matter of winning against a variety in opposition. How would the fans react if we lived in the same Belt for the next 7 years and had the exact same OOC schedule to go with it? If we went 9-3 every year against the Belt, OU, SMU, Baylor, and Navy (splitting those OOC games at home/away), how would the fans feel after 3 or 4 years of that? I don't think any of us can say for sure, but I don't think our attendance would improve.

You can't be consistently winning against the same old teams. And you can't sacrifice winning just because you want to boost attendance every year against that "name" team. Maybe our reality is that we've had a little bit of both, but not at the same time? Perhaps that's why it didn't work.

PS: I'll take struggling to get 16K fans at a Sun Belt game over struggling to get 1K fans at the Big West games. Lets just keep taking care of the things we can control and hope one day we're struggling to get 40K.

[MeanGreen61]

New Mexico State - 2002

[SAGreenFan]

New Mexico State - 2002

That night was probably one of the greatest experiences I've had at North Texas.