07.27.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Back in the saddle

With a new federal permit, the construction of the council chamber is a-go

Renderings of the council chambers at Future City Hall

The council chamber will be constructed next to Future City Hall in the former Pier 1 Imports building. | Image courtesy of the City of Fort Worth.

After nearly six months of waiting, the city received some good news this week about the council chamber building at Future City Hall. The approval of a Federal 408 Floodway Easement permit will allow construction to get underway, possibly as soon as this week.

Floodway implications

In case you missed it, last year, the city discovered that the site is on a federal floodway and had to delay the construction timeline, redesign the project, and re-estimate the budget. The updated designs — which reserved a certain amount of undeveloped land for flooding emergencies — contributed to a $50 million price increase (including the renovation of the former Pier 1 Imports building that is currently underway).

The project team worked with the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to make sure that the modified plans work with both the current flood conditions and those that will be created with the construction of the Central City Flood project and the future bypass channels around Panther Island.

Screenshots from Athenian Group's presentation — The discovery of the floodway changes the footprint and number of floors of the Council Chamber building. | Images courtesy of the City of Fort Worth

What’s next

The permit allows the city to start work on the council chamber building, first applying for construction permits for grading and foundation work.

We will keep you updated on the status of the project, but residents can expect to attend the first council meetings in the new facility at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.

“Future City Hall will deliver on the promise to create a welcoming and inviting space that will help to transform an important area of downtown,” Mayor Mattie Parker said. “I appreciate the commitment and coordination from the City, Tarrant Regional Water District, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the team of consultants that helped us get to where we are in this process.”

Events

Thursday, July 27

Archery Club | Thursday, July 27 | 5-5:45 p.m. | Fort Worth Public Library - East Berry, 4300 E. Berry St., Fort Worth | Free | Kids ages 7-12 can imagine themselves as epic heroes, create their own tools, and play with kid-safe bow and arrow kits.
Eric Gales | Thursday, July 27 | 8 p.m. | Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 200, Fort Worth | $25-$54 | The blues rock guitarist — the once child prodigy, aka Raw Dawg — is bringing riffs to Mule Alley.

Friday, July 28

All In | Friday, July 28-Sunday, July 30 | Times vary | W. E. Scott Theatre, 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth | $12-$18 | Youth theater group KWC Performing Arts will mount a new original production.
Comedy and Coffee | Friday, July 28 | 8-9 p.m. | PJ’s Coffee, 5555 Rufe Snow Dr., Ste 100, North Richland Hills | $15 | Kick off your weekend with a laugh and sip a New Orleans-style coffee while listening to comedy writer Barry Whitewater.

Saturday, July 29

Adoption Event | Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr., Arlington | Free | With 1,000+ animals, how can you not find your fur-ever friend at this event hosted by 18 local animal shelters?
Adult Field Day | Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Trinity Park, 826 Trinity Park Dr., Fort Worth | $10-$20 | Tug-of-war and water balloon fights aren’t just for kids.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Want to learn more about the future of the city’s largest park? Attend a public meeting at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden on Thursday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. to learn about the $8 million master plan for Gateway Park.

Civic

After garnering feedback from residents, the city is planning the 2024 budget, and the top concerns are public safety and transportation. The proposed budget will be presented to City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 8 with final approval in September.

Watch

Fort Worth’s Academy Award-nominated television creator is at it again. Taylor Sheridan’s new spy thriller series “Special Ops: Lioness” premiered the first two episodes last Sunday. Starring Zoe Saldaña and Nicole Kidman, the show is streaming on Paramount+.

Outdoors

The city is suspending mowing operations due to high fire hazard risk from dry grass. Crews will maintain 150+ drainage easements across the city but will be performing work by hand for the time being.

Open

Move over WeWork, there’s a new coworking space in town. The Martin Entrepreneur Center opened last week on the second floor of the Martin Building at 1200 W. Freeway. The center offers fully equipped hot desks, private offices, conference rooms, high-speed internet, and a collaborative common area.

Health

UNT Health Science Center received another $10 million federal endowment to research health disparities for minority populations. The funding is the second grant from the National Institutes of Health — the first was in 2017 — and will continue the institution’s research through 2048.

Announced

The National Juneteenth Museum is one step closer to its $70 million funding goal thanks to a $1 million grant from Bank of America. The news comes just a few weeks after the Texas Legislature approved $1 million and nearly one year after the city announced a $15 million commitment.

Fun Fact

Did you know Fort Worth has nine sister cities? Cowtown’s Sister Cities program will hold its annual Mayor’s International Dinner & Global Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Convention Center. The event will celebrate a 25-year relationship with Toluca, Mexico. RSVP now and learn more about memberships.

Drink

The best way to turn a bad week around? Tacos and margaritas at Mama Angie’s — get both (at Happy Hour prices) through 7 p.m. every Monday-Friday.*

Jobs

Workin’ 9 to 5

Workin’ 9 to 5: Major industries and employers in Panther City

Let’s get to know Fort Worth by the Census data. | Photo by @katebranning

More than 957,000 people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Fort Worth metro area’s economy. But have you ever wondered about Cowtown’s heaviest hitters?

Consider this Fort Worth Business 101 — your guide to our region’s six key industries and five major employers.

Key industries

Transportation and Warehousing | 62,000 employees
Healthcare and Social Assistance | 55,000 employees
Government | 52,000 employees
Retail Trade | 45,000 employees
Manufacturing | 41,000 employees
Accommodation and Food Services | 40,000 employees

Major players

American Airlines Group Inc. | 60,000 | Transportation | Search jobs
Lockheed Martin | 18,200 | Manufacturing | Search jobs
Fort Worth ISD | 10,683 | Education | Search jobs
NAS Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base | 11,000 | Government | Search jobs
JPS Health Network | 7,200 | Healthcare | Search jobs

Click the button below to learn more about each industry and company + peruse the top things you need to know about Fort Worth with our new City Guide collection.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

Do you want to build a snowman? Disney’s ice-themed Broadway musical will freeze Bass Performance Hall from Thursday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 20. Available seats are melting away so grab tickets now to see “Frozen.”

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