Fort Worth is adding another shade of purple to its mix — maroon. Texas A&M University is grabbing our city by its horned frogs and making plans to expand downtown.

What we know
The university signed a memorandum (meaning no plans are set in stone) with Fort Worth and Tarrant County leaders, which outlines the estimated $250 million project.
A release from Texas A&M said Fort Worth leaders “are looking for help from a top research university to strengthen the area’s industrial and employment base,” citing stats that show nearly half of the 1.2 million adults in Tarrant County don’t have a college degree.
The proposed redevelopment also ties into the planned $500 million renovation of the Fort Worth Convention Center. Once that begins, the city plans to straighten Commerce Street, freeing up land that could be used for the Texas A&M project.

What to expect
🏛️ Research and Innovation Center — Will be home to educational programs in fields like emergency response communication, medical technologies, manufacturing, nutrition + biotechnology.
📚 Education Alliance Building — Will house courses from several Texas A&M schools and Tarleton State University.
💼 New law school — Expected to be housed at 1515 Commerce St., the former Southwestern Bell call switching center. Texas A&M acquired the school from Texas Wesleyan University back in 2013.
Texas A&M has a full list of possible offerings at the new Fort Worth campus here.

What’s next
The plans still need final approval from the Fort Worth City Council and the Tarrant County Court of Commissioners. There’s also no exact timeline, but the university said it expects to break ground on the first phase of the project in mid to late 2022.
Mayor Mattie Parker says the new campus will help the city recruit new businesses + work with the ones already here. Go Aggies.