The City of Fort Worth is considering a package of incentives for a development south of downtown that would include apartments, a grocery store, and other retail. "Evans & Rosedale Urban Village" would include 320 apartments to start, and a second phase would include 20 townhomes.
"We need economic development in District Eight," says City Councilman Chris Nettles. "We need it to come online. We need to support our community."
The Fort Worth Local Development Corporation and Housing Finance Corporation are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss potential incentives for the project covering 36 lots on Missouri Ave., near 35W and Rosedale. The city may offer tax incentives and use ARPA funds to sell a portion of the land to the developer for $1.
"Obviously, we wanted a developer who understood the unique characteristics of the neighborhood and unique characteristics of this area," says Robert Sturns, economic development director for the City of Fort Worth.
The first phase of the project would include 292 apartments and 28 "live-work" units. Of those, 20% will be set aside as affordable housing.
"Everyone is very concerned about gentrification," Sturns says. "We want to bring this investment to the area. We want to make sure we can attract the types of retail and commercial use we need to have, but we don't want to make it expensive, so no one in the area can continue to live here."
Nettles says the project would also include space for retail and a grocery store, saying that area lacks a nearby place to buy fresh food.
"They have already set aside space for a grocery store. They have been in contact with different people. My office has been in touch with different people, so let's end the disparity, and we have the opportunity to do it now," he says.
He says the project would also include more green space, including a park that would be managed by the city. Sturns says after a series of community meetings, the developer also agreed to include a parking garage with 339 spaces.
"We heard concerns about traffic," Sturns says. "We don't want it to be an issue where people who live here can't get in and out. They're concerned about a lot of cars traveling through the street."
A rezoning plan for the area is scheduled to be submitted on October 1, and the Fort Worth City Council will take up the plan on October 12. Sturns says that will lead to incentives being finalized and contracts signed with the developer. Construction could start next year.
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