We had fun playing tennis at the Boys Ranch in Bedford last night. It was so hot, probably the hottest day this year. We all sweat profusely.

This morning the Carrollton Government Academy class met at the Metrocrest Social Services Gravley Center. We heard more details about Transit Oriented Development, from infrastructure preparation to urban planning. Cesar Molina told us a lot about the depression of Beltline under I-35 and the railroad. Regarding my concern about eminent domain and private property, John Webb told me that city charter prohibits city from declaring eminent domain and condemning private property, which basically resolved my concern. We had a bus tour of commercial and residential property development with Brett King, who explained and answered all questions about building permits and the likes. I learned a lot of interesting little bits of information. One rather intersting bit of information was that the Huffines family bought out a car dealership right on the north bound service road of I-35 before their grand opening to avoid competition and right now just kept the facility empty, all the while paying tax on that property to the city.

Went on to Celebration Park in Allen for a birthday celebration for Stephen.