12.19.2023

Today’s Forecast

57º | Mostly cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:37 p.m.

Be the broker: Affordable housing

Answered: Where locals want affordable housing, according to our readers

Downtown features several abandoned buildings that would be perfect for affordable housing. | Photo by @photogkeith

Recently, we asked you which vacant office spaces around town you’d recommend be converted to affordable housing. You know, the empty buildings you pass daily on your morning commute and think “that would make a great blank.” As usual, you did not disappoint. Here are a couple of spots you thought could make hot homes.

FTW-T-&-P-warehouse — Constructed in 1931, the Texas & Pacific Warehouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Photo by Architecture in Fort Worth

The hot spots

Bewley Mills, submitted anonymously
The abandoned flour mill at 1000 Harding St. is just itching for someone to redevelop the 4.6-acre property centrally located between Butler Place and downtown.

T&P Warehouse, submitted by Kate M.
Constructed in 1931, downtown’s Texas & Pacific Warehouse is a local Highly Significant Endangered Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been vacant since 1998.

The big picture

In case you missed it, the White House recently released a new plan to convert vacant commercial buildings into residential housing through resources like:

Grants: Funding from the government can help cover the costs of land acquisition and construction. For example, the Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants to fund housing projects.
Land dispositions: Transferring property to local governments, non-profits, and for-profit developers can reduce the cost of affordable housing.
Taxes: When transforming office space into housing, systems like plumbing, heating, and cooling typically need replacing. This can be an opportunity to improve energy efficiency — which can be rewarded with tax incentives and credits.

There are more resources than we could list — 20+ programs across multiple agencies. Good thing all the current federal resources are consolidated into this guidebook.

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Prairie Lights | Tuesday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Prairie Lights, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Grand Prairie | $50-$149 | This annual tradition features a magical drive-through tunnel of lights and outdoor activities like the holiday village carnival rides.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Girl Named Tom | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Arlington Music Hall, 224 N. Center St., Arlington | $52-$62 | Celebrate the holidays with the pop trio featuring a special blend of Christmas harmonies on seasonal favorites and songs heard on “The Voice.”

Thursday, Dec. 21

Lightscape | Thursday, Dec. 21-Monday, Jan. 1 | Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth | $11-$30 | The garden will be illuminated with a 1.2-mile-long path featuring millions of lights and new installations — get discounted tickets for value night tonight.

Friday, Dec. 22

Avant Chamber Ballet: “The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 22-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $33-$82 | Avant Chamber Ballet’s makes its Cowtown debut of Paul Mejia’s “The Nutcracker” with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Yule Groove: A Disco Christmas Party | Friday, Dec. 22 | 9 p.m. | Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 200, Fort Worth | $14-$400 | Dress in your most dazzling Christmas disco attire and dance the night away with beats from Le Freak.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

North Texans can voice their opinions during a virtual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 21 regarding the Comanche Peak nuclear power plant, located about 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Earlier this year, energy company Vistra submitted an application to keep its reactors online through 2053. (KERA)

Sports

The Dallas Cowboys clinched a playoff spot for the third year in a row, despite the team’s devastating 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. On Christmas Eve, the Cowboys (10-4) will play the Dolphins (10-4) in Miami. (ESPN)

Coming Soon

Dallas-based Ellen’s will open its first location in Fort Worth next summer. The homestyle cooking restaurant will open in the Near Southside at 601 S. Main St. The all-day restaurant will feature a full bar, a mezzanine, and two stories of dining space. (CultureMap Fort Worth)

Real Estate

The historic Yates-Ottmann Building located just west of downtown is on the market. Built in 1953, the designated local landmark was designed as an advertising company for Harry Ottman by architect Robert Woltz. It features five offices, a reception area, a break room, and parking.

Travel

Southwest Airlines reached a $140 million settlement with the Department of Transportation over last year’s holiday flight-canceling chaos. As part of the settlement, the Dallas-based airline will provide $75 vouchers by request to travelers who reach their destination at least three hours late because of a delay or cancellation caused by the airline.

Development

Texas Roadhouse is building its fifth location in Fort Worth. The new restaurant will be open next fall near Hunter Crossroads, located 18 miles northwest of downtown. With 70+ locations across the state, Texas has the most locations of the Indiana-based chain in the US.

Plan Ahead

Cowtown will bleed purple and blue this Saturday as James Madison takes on Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. Kickoff at Amon G. Carter Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ABC. Grab tickets to the game.

Show

A play based on one of Fort Worth’s founding fathers will hit the stage in Waxahachie in January. “Amon! The Ultimate Texan” will highlight the life of Amon Carter, Sr. during a four-day run at the Texas Theater. The first show is Friday, Jan. 19 + tickets are on sale now.

Seasonal

Sleigh your next Instagram post. Miracle at Live!, located inside Miller Tavern at Texas Live!, is a one-of-a-kind holiday pop-up experience decked out in tinsel, twinkling lights, and Instagrammable holiday vignettes. Make a reservation to experience it for yourself.*

Seasonal

🎄 A tree-mendous Christmas tradition

Cowtown’s annual Christmas tree lighting tradition

A photo from the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 1952. | FW Star-Telegram Collection/ UTA Special Collections

The countdown to Christmas is well underway and trees across the city are shining merry and bright. Downtown’s tree lighting ceremony has marked the beginning of Cowtown’s holiday season for more than 75 years — here’s a look at how the tradition has evolved.

Burnett Park used to be the gathering place for what was known as the Community Christmas Tree. The tradition was started in 1947 by Star-Telegram owner Amon Carter, Sr. Every December, Carter would send a local reporter to New Mexico to pick out a tree for the annual Star-Telegram Christmas Tree and Music Festival.

The ceremony featured Santa, live music, and kid-friendly entertainment — including a ride on the Leonard Brothers department store Toyland Monorail.

In 1956, the tradition was adopted by the Fort Worth Jaycees, and the festivities were moved to Sundance Square in 2004, where the ceremony takes place today.

This year, the city square features the tallest live tree in Texas rising 80 feet tall.

The Buy

The Buy 12.19.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This Adams Apple Company apple butter. It’s made in the USA + you can use it to make these amazing apple butter snickerdoodle cookies Lifestyle and Recipe YouTuber Jessica O’Donohue whipped up (just save a few for Santa).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca

From the editor

A holiday drone show by Fort Worth-based Sky Elements broke two Guinness World Records over the weekend. Nearly 1,500 drones were used to create a nutcracker, a tree, and falling snow during a show at Birdville ISD Stadium. According to CBS, the displays set records for the largest fictional character and the largest aerial image made with drones. Watch the performance.

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