02.29.2024

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Today’s Forecast

50º | 65% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. | Sunset 6:25 p.m.

🏗️ Raise the ~~roof~~ road

City leaders approve 12-18 month closure of North University Drive

This map shows where University Drive will be closed in mid-2026. | Map via the City of Fort Worth

The city plans to temporarily shut down a portion of North University Drive in mid-2026 for 12 to 18 months.

Earlier this week, city leaders approved a resolution allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to raise the road between 10 and 15 feet to accommodate the Central City Flood Control Project.

What is the project?

The Central City Flood Control Project — aka the development that will create the 800-acre waterfront district known as Panther Island — addresses the flood risks that are a result of explosive growth in the city.

The project is located along the West Fork and Clear Fork of the Trinity River and consists of a bypass channel, levee system, and other improvements to divert flood flows around a segment of the existing floodway system.

FTW-panther-island-map — The full project includes both the Central City Flood Control infrastructure plan (left) and the Panther Island mixed-use development district (right).
|
Maps courtesy of TRWD

Where will this take place?

USACE asked the city to shut down all six lanes of North University Drive from Jacksboro Highway to Rockwood Park Drive beginning in 2026.

To avoid major congestion on other area roads — city leaders are considering building a detour between Rockwood Park Drive and Rockwood Lane.

FTW-Flood map — The 100-year flood plain is highlighted in blue on the map. | Map via TRWD

What will the construction consist of?

Crews will raise the road 10-15 feet out of a 100-year flood plain, creating more storage for floodwaters and protecting areas prone to flooding downtown.

According to the Tarrant Regional Water District, floodwater storage is critical for immediate flood relief. So far, the USACE has completed four floodwater storage construction sites, totaling more than $32 million in contracts.

The design and construction will be completed by USACE, which is the primary entity leading the design and construction of the Central City Flood Control Project. The USACE expects to award the design contract to an outside consultant for University Drive in about two to three months.

Want to learn more?

Read about the recent milestones for the Panther Island project with our interactive timeline.

Events

Thursday, Feb. 29

Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference | Thursday, Feb. 29-Saturday, March 2 | Times vary | Stockyards, 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $39.50-$600 | Don’t miss rising Texas musical acts, panel discussions, and keynote speakers at the second annual music festival.

Friday, March 1

The Giant | Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | W. E. Scott Theatre at Arts Fort Worth, 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth | Free | View the 25-ft giant man sculpture created with 20,000 discarded water bottles by Fort Worth ISD students and conservation artist Willie Cole.
Butterflies in the Garden | Friday, March 1-Sunday, April 14 | Times vary | Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth | $8-$12 | See the largest exhibit of live, exotic butterflies from around the world.

Saturday, March 2

Timberview Farmstead Grand Opening | Saturday, March 2 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Timberview Farmstead, 4274 Timberview Dr., Fort Worth | $0-$19 | Celebrate the grand opening of this teaching farm created for people of all ages to experience nature and agriculture through hands-on learning.
Texas Independence Day | Saturday, March 2 | 12:30-4:30 p.m. | Wild Acre Restaurant & Beer Garden, 1734 E. El Paso St., Fort Worth | Free | Celebrate the Texas holiday with UT Longhorn trivia, craft beer, and delicious food at the newly renovated restaurant.

Saturday, March 23

House of Hotrods Car Show | Saturday, March 23 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Summit Racing Equipment, 2200 E. Interstate 20, Arlington | Free | Calling all car enthusiasts: This one’s for you.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

Find a cocktail inspired by your favorite book at Thompson’s Bookstore

Photo of a library-themed bar with plush lounge furniture and a wall of alcohol bottles.

Thompson’s event spaces are perfect for parties and gatherings — they even offer mixology classes. | Photo by FTWtoday

For those who enjoy a literary discussion over drinks, Thompson’s Bookstore is a must for your next happy hour or night out. The speakeasy, cigar lounge, and event space make the perfect venue for getting together with friends — or even cozying up with a drink and a book of your own.

Let these three unique, literature-inspired cocktails spark discussion at your next night out:

Grapes of Wrath: Inspired by Steinbeck’s iconic novel, this cocktail includes blended whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and a red wine blend.
Cinnamon and Gunpowder: Blended whiskey, soda, cinnamon, and star anise garnish come together in this drink inspired by the swashbuckling love story in Eli Brown’s novel of the same name.
Killing Pablo: This mix of blanco tequila, maraschino liqueur, jalapeño-infused agave nectar, and lime juice is almost as thrilling as Mark Bowden’s book about Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Plan your night at the speakeasy

News Notes

Announced

The Near Southside music series Friday on the Green will pause this year for anticipated construction near Magnolia Green. In its place, a new four-event series called Lost ‘N Sound will transform local businesses in South Main Village into one-day music venues beginning Saturday, May 18.

Weather

Summer temperatures arrived early in North Texas. On Monday, the area beat a 107-year-old record with temperatures reaching 91° at DFW Airport, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record of 90° was set in 1917.

Traffic

City leaders plan to enhance pedestrian safety with a new traffic light in north Fort Worth. District 4 Councilman Charles Lauersdorf proposed a traffic signal, following an incident where a vehicle struck a student walking home from Park Glen Elementary School. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Opening

A new bakery touted as an Oprah favorite will open tomorrow in Southlake. Cookie Society will be in Park Village at 1161 E. Southlake Blvd., taking over the former Gigi’s Cupcakes space. The bakery will offer a rotating menu with 10 varieties every month, like the classic chocolate chip and seasonal flavors.

Outdoors

The new glow-in-the-dark park in Farmers Branch will temporarily close tomorrow, March 1 through Sunday, March 10. The Joya playground will close as the city works on repairing damaged equipment and “re-assess” issues involving safety, parking, and staffing at the playground.

Biz

Austrailian-based City Cave Float & Wellness Center will plant its US roots in Fort Worth. City Cave — known for its float therapy — will open its headquarters at 5049 Edwards Ranch Rd. in November. The company is slated to open its first DFW location at 465 S. Main St. in mid-2024. (Fort Worth Report)

Edu

Fort Worth Academy teacher Lauren Parker was chosen to bring her research aboard the ZERO-G G-Force One Aircraft next month. Parker and her students developed a series of research projects tailored to zero gravity experience including testing pancake batter to see how fluids behave in a microgravity environment.

Eat

According to a new analysis by Upgraded Points, DFW Airport has more fast food restaurants than any other US airport with 19 options. Explore the restaurants for the next time you travel to the third-busiest airport in the world.

Pets

Calling all Mean Green fans — UNT in Denton is looking for Corgi owners to register for the university’s first-ever Corgi Race on Saturday, April 6. The halftime race is part of the Green & White Spring Football Game at 2 p.m. Sign up now.

Cause

Students in Fort Worth ISD and around the metroplex are all set for the April 8 solar eclipse. Dallas’ Perot Museum of Nature and Science will hand out one million eclipse glasses to 14 area school districts to prepare students + staff for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. (The Dallas Morning News)

Asked

We want to know which local business has the best barbecue in Fort Worth. Using the nomination form, submit the local spot with your favorite dish, and we’ll use your nominations to create a bracket and battle it out in our newsletter and on socials.

Job

We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about Fort Worth. This person is passionate about storytelling, news, and the city we call home. See details + apply.

Home

The secret to spotless furniture: ChomChom’s reusable lint roller, which picks up pet hair and lint like nobody’s business. Get it on sale for a few more hours.*

Culture

👋 A final farewell

Most of my favorite memories include City Editor Kate + Sales Executive Mari Scott. | Graphic by FTWtoday

And that’s a wrap, Cowtown. City Editor Rebecca, here — today was my final newsletter for FTWtoday. I appreciate all of you reading and engaging with me over the years; it’s been an honor to do this job.

But before I go, here are some of my favorite moments:

Troy Aikman serving me beer
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was at Flying Saucer for the release of his new “antioxidant-rich” beer — Eight Beer.

Meeting the baby zoo animals
This time last year, there was another baby boom at the zoo. I spent nearly an entire day meeting the littlest new additions — it was probably my favorite day on the job.

Discovering my dream jewelry collection
I got to check out the “Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity” exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art — the only stop the exhibit had in the US.

The Buy

The Buy 2.29.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

New tees for a new season. Freshen up your spring wardrobe with tees that feel as good as they look from Carolina Surf Dogs, Salt Monkey, and Sandlot Goods.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca

From the editor

If you’d like to stay in touch, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

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