In 2024, Fort Worth welcomed 11.5 million visitors, and this expansion is a step towards supporting the city’s larger economic development plan. | Photo by the City of Fort Worth
A brand-new chapter for the Fort Worth Convention Center began Monday, with the completion of phase one of its expansion. Totaling 76,794 sqft, phase one — which kicked off in 2023 — now has a nice, neat bow wrapped around it.
What’s new?
New 9,720-sqft state-of-the-art kitchen (completed back in May) — check.
New southeast entrance with a lightbox atrium and terrace — check.
New coffee bar — check.
Eleven new loading docks — check.
The convention center remained entirely operational during the last two years of construction. These new additions are now fully complete and open to convention clients and the public.
Bonus — Commerce Street is now straightened and provides space for a future hotel and potential restaurant + retail.
What’s next?
Phase two design is projected to be completed by fall 2026, with construction starting shortly after. An estimated $606 million will go towards the latter half of the project — which includes the demolition of Fort Worth’s “flying saucer” arena.
Asked
Asked
Do you know what year the Fort Worth Convention Center was built?
Syndicate Smokehouse — The Stockyard’s fifth annual charity music festival and barbecue competition — just announced its lineup. Whiskey Myers, Randy Rogers Band, and Amanda Shires are all set to perform. Tickets drop this Friday, Dec. 12 for the Saturday, April 18 festival.
Coming Soon
A non-nightclub will be entering the West 7th district soon. Austin-based mini-golf restaurant Birdie Dirdie will take up residence in the former Bottled Blonde space on Morton Street. Construction starts in January, but no opening date has been announced. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Sports
No. 4 Texas Tech beat BYU 34-7 during the Big 12 Championship this past1 Saturday. The Raiders are now headed to the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL on Thursday, Jan. 1. Tune into Locked On Texas Tech every day until then for all the team news and updates.
Legacy
Dallas businessman and former owner of the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers Tom Hicks died Saturday, Dec. 6 at the age of 79. A spokesperson said he was surrounded by family. (Dallas Business Journal)
Cause
The local agricultural nonprofit Econautics plans to teach gardening and bring environmental education to the former Woodhaven Country Club. What was 150 acres of golf course will now be a space for sustainability programming and green-space initiatives. Learn more. (Fort Worth Report)
Number
286. According to the Texas Education Agency, that’s the number of applications that were submitted for the Fort Worth ISD board of managers. The deadline to apply was last Monday, Dec. 1. Of the 286 applicants, 140 were either former or current ISD employees. (WFAA)
Film
Taylor Sheridan’s hit TV show “Landman” was just renewed for a third season. Although a release date is unknown, you can learn how to apply to be an extra, as many scenes in the show could be produced in or around FTW. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Watch
Prepare to be sick of us during World Cup coverage. We keep rewatching the official intro to the 2026 tournament. WFAA’s Paul Livengood showed it to us.
Mailbag
We asked, you delivered.
Explore the vintage finds by Creatively Thrifted through the online shop. | Photos by @creativelythrifted
Last week, we shared some of our top thrift, vintage, and secondhand store recommendations, and asked for your favorites in return. All we can say is — we’re impressed. Here’s where other FTWtoday readers are thrifting:
During a recent visit to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (FWMSH), I noticed a collection box at the front entrance for diapers. Did you know that half of all US families with young children struggles to afford diapers? Locally, it’s more than half of Tarrant County families. Stop by the FWMSH or drop them off at the Junior League of Fort Worth headquarters during regular hours.
}})
