Housing on the horizon 🏡

Affordable housing on the horizon in Fort Worth

Casa de Sueños would be the second collaboration between FWHS and Ojala holdings, the first being Casa de Esperanza. | Photo by FTWtoday

A few weeks ago, we asked our readers to suggest ways the city could allocate funding for community projects. A couple readers suggested more safe housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness — which got us thinking — are there any affordable housing projects in the works right now?

The answer? At least two, which we’re highlighting today.

Housing needs

Family homelessness is “at an all-time high,” said Lauren King, executive director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition.

At the end of 2022, Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation (FWHFC) — the city’s housing development arm — counted 200 families struggling with homelessness in town, compared to 130 families at the end of 2021.

Casa de Sueños | Las Vegas Trail

At today’s City Council work session, Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS) and Ojala Holdings will present a plan to convert the 83-room Express Inn (8401 West Freeway) into a permanent supportive housing project called Case de Sueños (House of Dreams) in far west Fort Worth.

The $11.9 million project will include 55 apartments, community space, a business center and computer lab, case management offices, and outdoor amenities.

Tarrant County, Ojala Holdings and FWHS have committed $8 million and are looking for another $2 million from the city. Next, the developers will raise philanthropic funding and submit for Community Block Development Grant funds at the April 25 City Council meeting.

FTW-seminary-housing — One Safe Place and Tarrant County Samaritan house will own and manage the property. | Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Worth

Seminary housing | Rosemont

Last week, FWHFC agreed to a nonbinding purchase of 15 acres from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The three-block McCart Avenue property will house 140 families experiencing homelessness. With duplex, triplex, and quadplex units, the property may also designate space for victims of domestic abuse.

The $11 million project will be a public-private partnership between One Safe Place and Tarrant County Samaritan House, with philanthropic funding from Rainwater, Morris, Amon Carter, Sid Richardson, and Paulos foundations.

Leases could begin this year after the city’s due diligence process.

What do you look for in a skincare routine?

A. Convenience
B. Clean products
C. Anti-aging
D. I don’t have a skincare routine.

Congratulations to Jamie W. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, March 7

City Council Public Comment Meeting | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 6 p.m. | City Hall, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth | Free | Register at least two hours before the meeting to share your opinion on agenda items.

Wednesday, March 8

The American Western Weekend by Teton Ridge | Wednesday, March 8-Saturday, March 11 | Times vary | Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr., Arlington | $20 | Enjoy 11 Western sporting disciplines in a one-of-a-kind celebration of the spirit of the American West.

Thursday, March 9

AAC Men’s Basketball Championship | Thursday, March 9-Sunday, March 12 | Times vary | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $7-$114 | Watch east coast college basketball teams duke it out for the title.

Friday, March 10

Mission Central’s Mobile Food Pantry | Friday, Mar. 10 | 9-11 a.m. | First United Methodist Church, 521 W. Pipeline Rd., Hurst | Free | People in need of food assistance are invited to receive groceries straight to their cars

Saturday, March 11

TRWD Flyfest | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | River Park Trailhead, 3100 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth | Free | Seasoned anglers and newbie alike are invited to fish for 1,800 lbs of rainbow trout, peruse vendors, and enjoy demonstrations.
Weenie Dog Race | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 12-3 p.m. | The Paw Pad, 5201 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth | $25 | Watch for free or register to unleash your dog’s competitive spirit.
Blackland Distillery’s 4th Anniversary Party | Saturday, Mar. 11 | 2-6 p.m. | Blackland Distillery, 2616 Weisenberger St., Fort Worth | Free | Sip on exclusive drink specials and take a complimentary distillery tour in the Foundry District.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

JAZZ UP YOUR WEEK

Weather

77º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Development

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) allocated an additional $20 million to the Panther Island project last week as part of the 2023 Work Plan. The funds will be used for designs of the isolation gates and stormwater pump station. In 2022, the project received $403 million from USACE and still needs $98 million to be fully funded. 💰

Civic

Starting on Saturday, March 11, Lauren Prieur will serve as the new director of the city’s Transportation and Public Works Department. She served as the interim director since last August and was previously in charge of capital projects for the department.

Announced

Last week, Texas Recreation and Parks Society recognized Bunche Park (on the southeast side) as a Lone Star Legacy Park. The Carver Heights park was dedicated in 1954 and is among six Texas parks to be lauded for recreation amenities and value to generations of residents. 🌳

History

Join the city on Friday, March 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. to celebrate 100 years of the Fire Station Community Center. The centennial celebration at 1601 Lipscomb St. will have music, concessions, bounce houses, and a firetruck. Learn more about how the historic firehouse has served the neighborhood since 1923.

Outdoors

Spring has sprung and experts are predicting an early bluebonnet bloom this year due to our unseasonably warm winter. Fort Worthians may start to see the state flower in the next week or so, rather than in April. Check out these spots to see the buds.

Number

22,000+. That’s how many adults Fort Worth ISD expects to educate this year through its free program. The partnership between the district and Workforce Commission of Tarrant County helps individuals earn high school diplomas and offers ESL, civic, and workforce training classes. 🏫 (Fort Worth Report)

Read

You may have seen Little Free Libraries, but have you heard of Little Lockers? Last week, Seminary Hills Park Elementary School unveiled its own little locker with books for the community as part of a program by Commercial Metals Company and Texas Yes to increase community literacy. 📚

Wellness

Our go-to product to relieve tension and decrease under eye puffiness: an ice roller. Not to mention, it’s the perfect way to cool off your face after an intense workout or morning run. These ice globes are also a great skincare addition to help soothe and depuff. *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Sit down or stock up 🛒

Hidden Gem: Stock up at Roy Pope Grocery

Enjoy a latte and a slice of coffee cake on the patio. | Photo by FTWtoday

Picture this: You’re out running errands on a beautiful spring day and you’re stomach starts to rumble. You need some fuel and a minute to regroup in a Cowtown hidden gem.

Enter Roy Pope Grocery. This gourmet market just off the Camp Bowie Boulevard bricks has a full menu of sandwiches, salads, and hot meals to kick your hunger. Relax on the large covered patio with a craft coffee, glass of wine, or cold beer.

Originally opened in 1943 by World War II veteran Roy Pope, the neighborhood grocery was refurbished in 2020 and still features old butcher cases, but with a fresh look. In addition to the eat-in cafe, the store sells high-end goods from regional producers and wines curated by sommelier Mikey Riojas.

Operated by Chris Reale, Roy Pope Grocery also hosts events and accepts TCU Frog Bucks for students who need to snack.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kate.

Editor’s pick: After Thursday’s storms, the weather has been beautiful over the last few days. ☀️

All this sunshine kicked off what my family calls “snowy season” — a time of the year when you can reward yourself with a snow cone for pretty much any reason. 🍧

Picked up the mail? Grab a pink bubblegum snowball from Pelican’s. Got out of bed? You deserve a rainbow shaved ice from Sweetzys. Shared this newsletter with a friend? Visit these 15 local snow cone stands. You earned it.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out these 5 local sneaker stores to kickstart your shoe game.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rebecca McRobbie, Kate Mazade, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marianna Scott | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?