06.27.2023

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Today’s Forecast

55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

City

What’s in a landmark?

Constructed in 1931, the Texas & Pacific Railway Station and Lofts downtown is a Highly Significant Endangered Landmark. | Photo by Bella Broome/Wikimedia Commons

We talk about landmarks all the time — they help us remember historic events, contribute to the culture of our town, and serve as icons and wayfinding throughout the city. But do you know how a landmark gets its designation?

The Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission (HCLC) has been around since 1981 and oversees historic, cultural, architectural, and archaeological preservation in Cowtown. The HCLC helps determine which properties are eligible for historic designations and how guidelines can protect the town’s built history.

Three types of local historic designations

Both individual properties and neighborhoods — like the Fairmount/Southside Historic District — can hold historic designations.

Historic and Cultural Landmark (HC) properties must meet at least two of the Historic Preservation Ordinance’s criteria. Designated HCs are:

Eligible for a 10-year tax freeze
Subject to the Secretary of the Interior’s standards
for exterior rehab work
Require an approved Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes

Highly Significant Endangered (HSE) properties meet at least three of the Historic Preservation Ordinance’s criteria and are “threatened by irretrievable loss.” Designated HSEs have the same requirements as an HC but are eligible for up to a 15-year tax freeze.

Demolition Delay is a minimal type of historic designation for the purpose of temporary protection. It only comes into effect if a property is slated for demolition and can preserve the building for up to 180 days while the HCLC determines its historic significance.

FTW-messer-house — Constructed in 1893, the Messer House is designated a Highly Significant Endangered Landmark and was converted into an office in 2022 by League Real Estate.
|
Photo by @fortwortharchitecture

What makes a property landmark-worthy?

The Historic Preservation Ordinance outlines the requirements a property must meet to be designated based on its significance and integrity.

Properties are considered significant if they represent a location’s heritage, a particular architectural style or designer, a historical figure or event, an archaeological period, or appear on another landmark list.

A property’s integrity has to do with its ability to convey its significance through one of the seven aspects of historical integrity — basically, how it embodies its history.

How to nominate a property

Asked

There’s so much history to discover.

We want to keep learning about and sharing more Fort Worth landmarks. Click the button below to request which historic or cultural site we should highlight next or to share a story about your favorite Funkytown landmark.

Blast from the past

Events

Tuesday, June 27

Red Cross Blood Drive | Tuesday, June 27 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St., Arlington | Free | Donate blood to support the families of children battling cancer.
City Council Meeting | Tuesday, June 27 | 10 a.m. | City Hall, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth | Free | City Council will review legislation, city contracts, and zoning cases — preview the agenda.

Wednesday, June 28

Art Tales: Big Feelings | Wednesday, June 28 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Carter, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Free | Head to the Cultural District for family-friendly story time fun.
“Hadestown” | Wednesday, June 28-Sunday, July 2 | Times vary | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | $105-$150 | Don’t miss the haunting and hopeful Greek mythical musical that has won eight Tony Awards and a Grammy.

Thursday, June 29

Red, White & Boots | Thursday, June 29-Tuesday, July 4 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Stockyards, 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Celebrate the Fourth of July with live music, rodeos, lawn games, and fun giveaways.
Bryan Adams | Thursday, June 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $75-$150 | The Canadian signer — and one of the best-selling music artists of all time — will bring his “So Happy It Hurts 2023" tour to Cowtown with performances by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Tech

Last week, the city experienced a data breach but says no sensitive information related to residents or staff was compromised. The state’s Computer Incident Response Team identified the hack and the city is working with law enforcement and computer forensic experts to investigate the breach.

Trending

The world’s only twice-daily cattle drive will be reduced to once daily through Monday, July 31. Catch the cattle drive at 11:30 a.m, then visit the Longhorn Pen at 1 p.m. (rather than the 4 p.m. cattle drive) for a free behind-the-scenes experience.

Fort Worthian

Mayor Mattie Parker has a new gig as the part-time chief of staff at Cook Children’s Health Care System. The mayor will continue to serve the city but will also support the Fort Worth-based pediatric hospital system, starting Monday, July 17. (Fort Worth Report)

Closing

After a three-month lease extension, Fort Worth’s oldest restaurant will close its Camp Bowie Boulevard location on Friday, June 30. The Original Mexican Eats Cafe has been open for 93 years but will consolidate its services and signature decorations to the second location at 1400 N. Main St.

Edu

Five new schools are under construction in Northwest ISD. Approved in 2021, four elementary schools + one middle school will be completed in time for the 2023-2024 school year. Twelve additional schools are on the docket after the May 6 bond election.

Civic

The city’s new ordinance for shopping carts will take effect Saturday, July 1. Approved in February, the rule requires stores to retrieve abandoned shopping carts within 24 hours of reporting or pay a $50 fine.

Job

The city is looking for a new branch manager for Golden Triangle Library. The ideal candidate would have a master’s degree in library sciences, three years of management experience, and is enthusiastic about bringing library services to the community. Apply by Friday, July 14.

Arts

Ashley White was named the new artistic director of Circle Theatre. Ashley is the interim associate producer for the downtown theater’s current season. The 2023-2024 season schedule will be announced in the fall.

Drink

Two words: margarita flight. Here’s where to get it.*

Travel

Wanna save 40-90% on flights? Sign up for Going — a free travel membership — and you can browse deals immediately (like a $300+ round trip to Barcelona).*

Shop

We’re excited to introduce, Trailblazing Love, the newest brand added to our online store (Six & Main). From camping to coastal adventures, this local business inspires couples to explore the world and nurture their relationships through outdoor-based activity boxes. Shop the perfect activity box now.

Development

🚒 This construction news is fire

This construction news is fire

Fire Station 16 is moving to a larger facility less than a mile down the road. | Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Fire Department is getting nearly $14 million in facility updates across three different fire station projects.

Station 43

RJM Contractors will construct a $9.1 million fire station on a 2.57-acre site in the Walsh development. The four-bay station at Walsh Avenue and Walsh Ranch Parkway is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024.

Station 16

The city purchased a one-acre site at the northeast corner of Lovell Avenue and Horne Street for $2.27 million. The station will relocate from its current spot at 5933 Geddes St. The old station is set to be demolished.

Station 15

RJM Contractors will remodel the station at 3100 Azle Ave. for $2.57 million to extend the property’s use. This is the first of 10 existing fire stations slated for renovation.

All of the station updates are part of the fire department’s Facilities and Capital Master Plans.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

Tomorrow is the 110th birthday of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth. Since the first official meeting on June 28, 1913, the club has boasted the who’s who of Cowtown for over a century. Notable Rotarians include Amon G. Carter, Samuel Burk Burnett, Kay Granger, and Betsy Price.

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