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building boom between 1974 and 1985 with a ninety percent increase in the number of single family
houses built and a forty-fold increase in the number of multi-family dwelling units built. A bond
election in 1985 approved funds for a police station, streets, and drainage improvements. However,
building activity slowed considerably in the last half of the 1980s. The Benbrook Area Chamber of
Commerce was created in 1986. In January 1989, voters turned down a bond election for streets,
drainage, and a library.
1990s
By 1990, the City's population had reached 19,564 and the number of businesses had grown to over
400. However, the large majority of workers in Benbrook worked elsewhere. In 1991 the Defense
Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended the closure of Carswell Air Force Base
and realignment as a Naval Reserve Center. The Air Force Base officially closed in December 1993.
Voters also defeated a one-half cent sales tax for a library in May 1992. In March 1993 the Lockheed
Corporation purchased the General Dynamics Aircraft Plant. In September 1997, voters approved
an $8 million bond issue for streets, drainage, and an indoor community/recreation center. Also, in
1997, the community constructed Castle Park Playground using volunteer labor and donated
materials; Castle Park's completion was part of Benbrook's 50th Year of Incorporation Celebration.
In 1998, Benbrook joined with Bled, Slovenia to sign a formal Sister Cities Agreement. Also, in this
year, Benbrook's voters approved a half-cent sales tax for the Benbrook Library District; this separate
governmental agency has the authority to collect funds for the construction and operation of a
library. In 1999 Benbrook began a street overlay program with the assistance of Tarrant County to
restore and prolong the useful life of residential streets. Also, in 1999, the City held Benbrook's first
Household Hazardous Waste Collection.
2000’s
Benbrook effortlessly emerged into the year 2000 without experiencing any glitches, downtime, or
interruption of services as a result of Y2K. In 2000, the Benbrook Community Center/YMCA opened
and began operating through a joint venture between the City of Benbrook and the YMCA. The
Whitestone Golf Course also opened in the spring of 2000; this privately-owned golf course serves
as a cornerstone for development and is attracting new homeowners and businesses. In 2002 voters
allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages at Benbrook restaurants.
In 2005, the Benbrook Council approved the issuance of $2,500,000 in certificates of obligation to
provide funds for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects. TIF projects include: the Interstate 20
Ramp Location that was completed in the summer of 2006, the Walnut Creek Sewer Line, and the
Benbrook Town Crossing project.
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