Plus, a new timeline was announced for the Future City Hall move-in.
 
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🚊 A new purpose for Butler Place

Redeveloping Butler Place could mean a new transportation hub
FTW-Butler Place
Butler Place opened in 1939 with 400+ units for low-income residents. | Photo by The City of Fort Worth
What once served as public housing for thousands of families beginning in the 1940s is now a vacant 42-acre lot that the city hopes to revitalize into a transit + cultural hub.

Butler Place — located about five miles east of downtown — is surrounded by I-30, I-35W, and US-287, making it landlocked and ready for redevelopment.

Fort Worth Housing Solutions wants to sell the property and ensure that it meets community needs through affordable housing, cultural spaces, and access to downtown.

🚲 Transportation hub

Earlier this month, City Council approved $740,000 — in addition to $100,000 allocated in June — for a transportation study. AECOM Engineering will begin work this fall to determine the best way to revitalize the area with a final report expected in 2025.

The transit hub could include a ride-share waiting area, bike parking, bike sharing, and other transit services. The hub could eventually connect to downtown and in neighboring areas including:
  • The future Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus
  • Renovated Fort Worth Convention Center
  • I.M. Terrell Academy
  • Central Station’s Amtrak rail
  • Future high-speed rail
  • Local bus and rail networks that lead to the airport
The study is part of a larger $2.75 million mobility study funded with $2 million provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

FTW-Butler Place map

Butler Place is landlocked between downtown and the West Fork Trinity River. | Map via Proxi

🏗️ Future development plans

In September 2022, the city and Fort Worth Housing Solutions reached an agreement with the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer to preserve the cultural identity of the neighborhood.

Under the agreement, the Butler Advisory Committee recommends the construction of a 6.5-acre amphitheater adjacent to I.M. Terrell Academy + the preservation of 1,000 bricks for a public art installation.

The property was previously considered for the site of a new African American museum and cultural center, but the Urban Land Institute recommended a feasibility study in other areas of town including the Community Arts Center, downtown, and a site near James E. Guinn School in the Historic Southside.
 
Events
Thursday, Aug. 17
  • Shop & Sip Series | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 5:15-7:15 p.m. | The Worthington Renaissance Hotel, 200 Main St., Fort Worth | Free | Head to the mezzanine level for an evening of shopping, happy hour delights, as a prelude to the iconic film, “Dirty Dancing.”
Friday, Aug. 18
  • Amplify 817 Showcase | Friday, Aug. 18 | 6-10 p.m. | Will Rogers Auditorium, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Celebrate 817 Day with Texas artists Lou Charle$, Amanda Victoria, and Phantomelo.
Saturday, Aug. 19
  • Backyard Jamboree | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 11 a.m. | Truck Yard, 3101 Prairie Vista Dr., Fort Worth | Free | Stop by the outdoor hangout spot for a watermelon eating contest, yard games, and live music all for a good cause — donations will go to Donate 2 Impact.
  • Pop Up Market | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 12-4 p.m. | Black Coffee, 1417 Vaughn Blvd., Fort Worth | Free | Sip on free samples and browse local vendors at this family-friendly event.
Sunday, Aug. 20
  • NTX Vintage Market | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 1-5 p.m. | Rogers Roundhouse, 1616 Rogers Rd., Fort Worth | Free | Shop unique finds, vintage apparel, and sip on local brews at this dog-friendly market.
  • Rick Springfield | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $25 | The Grammy Award-winning “Jessie’s Girl” singer will be in Cowtown with special guests Tommy Tutone, Paul Young, and The Hooters.
Monday, Aug. 21
  • Grand Opening | Monday, Aug. 21 | 11 a.m. | I Heart Mac & Cheese, 8528 Davis Blvd., Ste. 128, North Richland Hills | Free | The first 25 people in line at this restaurant specializing in mac and cheese will get one year of macaroni meals.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
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Why is my energy bill so high?
Presented by a FTWtoday Partner
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“I’ve been using their services for four years or so, and I have had nothing but positive experiences with them — moving in/out, negotiating rates, renewing contracts, helping resolve issues caused by the electric companies, you name it,” says Energy Ogre member Anthony Baragas. | Photo via Pexels
An expensive energy bill can throw a wrench in your budget. However, taking a closer look at your bill could help keep more money in your pocket. Here are some factors that might be leading to a higher bill:
  • Renewing your current electricity contract doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best rate. In general, a renewal rate is normally higher than the one you previously had, and if you shop around, you could get a better deal elsewhere.
  • You don’t have to wait until the end of a contract to switch electricity providers. If you find a rate that is much better than the one you’re getting or just better fits the way you use electricity now, you can make a switch.
  • Unnecessary late fees can be avoided by making your payments on time.
Ready to pay less for electricity? Energy Ogre can help you choose the best energy plan for you.

They’ll shop around for the best plans that fit your lifestyle and save you money (think: up to 40% annually). Whether you are renting an apartment or living in a house with your family, the savings matter. Pro tip: Use this link to grab 15% off for one year off a subscription.
See how much Energy Ogre can save you
News Notes
Announced
  • City leaders announced a new move-in timeline for Future City Hall. City departments will move in incrementally throughout 2024 with a new security system expected in October. The mayor and City Council will begin work in their new office in January, with the first council meeting expected for the winter of 2024. (Fort Worth Report)
Development
  • The small white house at the Berry Street entrance of TCU will be removed this month and replaced with a ceremonial front door. A temporary lawn will be installed where the house sits and will eventually become a communal space with a park-like setting, a gazebo, and a well house.
Sports
  • It could be the end of an era for local football rivals TCU and SMU. The Horned Frogs want to reportedly pause the Battle for the Iron Skillet after the 2025 edition due to a busy TCU schedule. The 102nd rivalry game will be played at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Open
  • A new tiki-inspired bar is open in the West 7th District at 1015 Foch St. Shipwreck opened quietly last month with tropical cocktails, nautical-themed decor, Hawaiian shirts + a floor painted to look like a shimmering pool of water. A week-long grand opening celebration will be held through Sunday, Aug. 20.
Real Estate
  • Want to take a peek behind the white picket fence? Four homes in Wedgwood will be open for tours on Saturday, Sept. 16 during the Wedgwood Historical Association’s Parade of Homes. Learn about some of the neighborhood’s earliest residents and their mid-century homes. Tickets are $20.
Festival
  • The State Fair of Texas will have a new minors policy during this year’s festival. If entering after 5 p.m., kids under 17 years old will need a chaperone that is at least 21 years old. The policy states that once inside the fairgrounds, the guardian is not required to remain with the minors.
Biz
  • Industrial manufacturing company Siemens Industry Inc. plans to expand to far south Fort Worth with a plant at 7200 Harris Legacy Dr. The $133 million facility would focus on the production of low-voltage switchboards and switchgear + would create up to 715 full-time jobs by the end of 2026.
Jobs
  • Beverage manufacturer DrinkPak is also looking to build two new facilities that would employ 1,000 people. One building would be at 25001 Eagle Pkwy. near Alliance Airport with another in the Carter Park East industrial park. City Council will vote on incentives for the two companies on Tuesday, Sept. 12. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Concert
  • A tribute concert will be held this fall for retired country music legend Randy Travis at Grand Prairie’s Texas Trust CU Theatre. “A Texas Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis” will feature country music artists singing the hits of Travis’ discography. Pre-sale tickets for the Wednesday, Nov. 15 show are now available.
Drink
  • Did you know that Fort Worth has its very own Prohibition-inspired speakeasy? Step back into time at Thompson’s Bookstore, open Sundays-Thursdays from 3 p.m.-midnight, and Fridays-Saturdays from 3 p.m.-2 a.m.*
Transit

Full steam ahead

Learn more about the DFW High-Speed Rail at upcoming meetings
DFW High-Speed Rail Train
Phase 2 will focus on environmental impacts. | Photo provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments
It’s been the talk of the town for years — high-speed transportation between Fort Worth and Dallas that would cut travel time in half.

With Phase 2 of the DFW High-Speed Transportation Connections Study underway, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) will host a series of public meetings beginning this month to gather feedback on the project.

What’s been determined so far?

In 2020, NCTCOG initiated a study to evaluate rail technology, potential routes, service plans, and most recently, an environmental study that is expected to take one year to complete. Here are the key factors:

🚄 Vehicle type | High-speed rail
📍 Location | Three stations along I-30 in downtown Fort Worth, Arlington’s entertainment district, and downtown Dallas
💨 Speed | Maximum speed of 250 mph

The end goal is to connect the rail to other proposed high-speed transportation projects including Fort Worth to Laredo, Dallas to Houston, and the potential transit hub at Butler Place.
            Check the meeting schedule
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            The Wrap
             
            Rebecca McRobbie

            Today’s edition by:
            Rebecca
            From the editor
            If you’re looking for a new place to eat some delicious Thai food, Zaap Kitchen Lao & Thai Street Eats in the WestBend shopping center is my new favorite place. My go-to order is pad Thai with tofu or yellow curry, but they have a wide variety of Thai dishes to try.

            And if you need a mid-day pick-me-up, the Lao iced coffee is sure to do the trick.
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