The city plans to rezone sections of the Fort Worth Stockyards beyond the borders of the Historic District.
Tracts within what are called the Transition and Edge Districts of the Stockyards would be rezoned as historic subdistricts, either as Historic Shopfront Districts or Historic Core Districts. Existing businesses would remain mixed-use, but would have to follow design guidelines that are compatible with the historical structures.
The proposal expands the existing historic district alongside Exchange Avenue to Clinton Avenue on the west and past Niles City Boulevard on the east. The entirety of the Historic Stockyards district is currently zoned either historic shopfront or historic core district.
The city laid out its plans at the Zoning Commission work session June 12.
City officials also want to increase the allowable height of buildings in historic districts on the west side from 40 feet to 55 feet based on requests from the public. Lorelei Willett, the historic preservation officer for the city of Fort Worth, said the increase is meant to allow for compatible development in the Stockyards.
“Generally, what you’re going to see is really true mixed-use, where, historically, the first few floors are probably commercial, the other floors are really more for residential,” Willett said.
Which tracts will be a part of the Historic District?
- 300 W. Exchange Ave.
- 301 W. Exchange Ave.
- Portion of 307 W. Exchange Ave.
- 309 W. Exchange Ave.
- 2414 Clinton Ave.
- Portion of 660 Union Stockyard Blvd.
- Portion of 2394 Niles City Blvd.
- Portion of 701 E. Exchange Ave.
- Portion of 2540 Swift Armour Blvd.
- Portion of 601 E. Exchange Ave.
- Portion of 1091 NE 23rd St.
- Portion 1001 NE 23rd St.
The zoning commission pushed the case to July so that the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission can first approve the increase in maximum building height.
The east side expansion past Niles City Boulevard is the expansion proposed as historic core. Historic core contains the most significant history in the Stockyards and the preservation of that area is the city’s main priority. Development needs to build upon the historic design of the area, according to the Stockyards’ form-based code and design guidelines.
The west side expansion up to Clinton Avenue is the expansion proposed as historic shopfront. Historic shopfront contains historic commercial buildings, including a tattoo parlor built in 1945 as a gas station and a church that was built in 1950. Development needs to be compatible with the historic businesses and shops.
Fort Worth City Council adopted a resolution in September directing city officials to submit a plan of expansion to the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission. The commission approved the plan in April.
At the June 11 City Council meeting, council members were briefed on a plan for the second part of the Stockyards redevelopment that includes a hotel, underground parking and updates to the Cowtown Coliseum.
Ismael M. Belkoura is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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