Published on April 17, 2024
Of the 300 proposals submitted from across the U.S., the City of Fort Worth, in partnership with North Central Texas Council of Governments, has been awarded $2 million through the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants funding.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) announced Fort Worth is one of the 34 recipients of the Fiscal Year 2023 Planning and Prototyping Grants. The project will pilot low altitude weather sensors of freight routes used by autonomous vehicles (AV).
Why it matters: The project will provide insight in technology solutions to enhance safety and trip reliability in our changing environment. Adverse weather conditions pose significant challenges to the performance and safety of AVs. Weather phenomena like severe rainfall and dense fog can degrade the accuracy of critical vehicle sensors, potentially leading to inaccuracies affecting vehicle performance during hazardous road weather conditions.
Microclimate sensors offer a solution by providing precise, real-time localized weather data, enabling AVs to adapt to varying weather conditions and make informed decisions to enhance operational safety and reliability. The pilot will be used at the Alliance Truck Port.
Go deeper: In the winter of 2021, a tragic vehicle pileup unfolded on Interstate 35 in Fort Worth due to treacherous icy conditions, particularly black ice, which went unnoticed by drivers. This incident involved 130 vehicles, including cars, trucks and 18-wheelers, resulting in a nightmarish crash scene spanning nearly a mile.
Tragically, six lives were lost, and numerous others were injured. Notably, many of the 18-wheelers involved were fully loaded and headed to the Intermodal Truck Depot at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport for regional distribution. This disaster could have been avoidable if the appropriate weather sensors had been in place to warn drivers of the impending danger.
What would your Fort Worth be like in the year 2050? How can we make Fort Worth an even better place to live, work and play?
The 2050 Comprehensive Plan will establish a shared vision for the City. It will determine the goals, objectives, strategies and policies to ensure a high quality of life for all members of the community.
Why it matters: With the community’s help, the resulting plan will describe the community’s desired future for Fort Worth – from active and walkable neighborhood centers, to new housing options, vital business districts, invigorating parks and open spaces, new and enhanced transportation infrastructure and transit, robust public safety and community-building libraries and other facilities. The plan will establish the goals, objectives, policies and programs that will help to make the community’s vision a reality – while preserving the culture and identity that make Fort Worth special.
Learn more about the 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
The new 2050 Comprehensive Plan will be the result of the creative efforts of the community to lay a successful foundation for the future of Fort Worth.
Get involved: A robust community engagement campaign begins soon. There will be many opportunities to participate, both in person and online.
Join a Help Plan FW workshop at a location near you:
More dates and engagement activities will be announced soon. Follow City News to learn the latest.
Sign up for updates. Register for emails to learn about upcoming meetings and announcements. Share questions or ideas by email.
Story by Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
More premium office space is coming to Fort Worth’s Cultural District.
Crescent Real Estate LLC announced Thursday it plans to build a second 170,000-square-foot office building on the backside of its existing mixed-use development at 3300 Camp Bowie Blvd. The Crescent Office West will front West Seventh Street between Van Cliburn Way and Boland Street.
The current office development, Crescent Office East, is nearly completely leased up, which motivated this latest expansion, according to a developer press release.
Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank relocated members of its commercial, corporate and private banking teams to the building in September 2023, and Dallas based Duro Hospitality plans to open a new restaurant on the ground floor of the building later this year, the press release said.
“The market demand for best-in-class office space in a luxury, amenity-rich environment is strong, and we are ready to bring the next phase of the project to the city,” said John Goff, CEO of Goff Capital, which owns Crescent Real Estate.
Goff highlighted the success of other components of the Fort Worth development, including the recently opened 200-room Crescent hotel. The development also includes a Canyon Ranch spa location and a 169-unit luxury apartment complex.
“Fort Worth, and the Cultural District in particular, continue to shine, and we are excited to be a part of the growth,” he said.
The Crescent Office West, which is scheduled to break ground late this year, will contain two restaurants, a gym, amenity deck and meeting space. It will have balconies on every floor, giving tenants a panoramic view of the Cultural District, the release said.
It will join a pair of projects from Nebraska-based Goldenrod Companies, which plans to build roughly 200,000-square-feet of office space in the West 7th entertainment district.
©2024 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Leave your passport at home and come to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to experience some of the planet’s most beautiful pollinators in one convenient place. Butterflies in the Garden, presented by Central Market, will take flight, March 1 through April 14, in the Rainforest Conservatory. One of the Garden’s most anticipated seasonal exhibits, guests will enjoy thousands of breathtaking exotic and native butterflies as they flutter through the lush foliage and tropical flowers in the conservatory. Butterflies in the Garden is the largest exhibit of live, exotic butterflies in north central Texas.
See butterflies of every size and hue, including Central American butterflies such as the Starry Night Butterfly (Hamadryas Iaodamia), the Mosaic (Colobura dirce), the elegant Glass Wing (Greta oto), the Pink-Spotted Cattleheart (Parides photinus), the green Malachite (Siproeta stelenes), the Tiger Longwing (Heliconius hecale), and the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides). Species from North and South America, Africa, and Asia will also be flittering from flower to flower. Two lepidopterists, specialists in the study of butterflies and moths, will be onsite to oversee pupae arrivals and monitor the health of the Garden’s visiting butterflies once they emerge.
“There is no one place in nature where you could go to see the wide variety of butterflies that are a part of the Garden’s extraordinary exhibit,” said visiting lepidopterist Lucy Milas G. Salik, Ph.D. “It’s exciting to be able not only to share their beauty with guests, but also to educate them on the importance of these powerful pollinators.”
In nature, butterflies play a vital role as pollinators for many plants and flowers. These winged wonders inadvertently collect pollen on their legs as they land on flowers and then transfer it to other blooms they encounter. This process promotes cross-pollination and genetic diversity in plant groups.A massive 80 percent of land plants are pollinated by insects and animals.
Tickets for timed entrance to the butterfly exhibit may be purchased online at fwbg.org. Online admission prices are $12 for adults (16-64), $10 for seniors (65+), $8 for children (6-15), and free for children five and under. Combo tickets for both the butterfly exhibit and the Garden are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $12 for children. Don’t miss out on this rare display of butterfly beauty!
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History are partnering for a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse experience! Both venues will offer eclipse viewing areas and exciting educational activities for guests on April 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free activity stations will be located outside both the Garden and the Museum, while guests may also purchase general admission tickets at either venue to take part in additional activities. FWBG and FWMSH Members will receive reciprocal free admission and free solar eclipse glasses at each location.
“People in Fort Worth will talk about where they were during this eclipse for years to come,” said Patrick Newman, President and CEO of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. “The Garden is thrilled to provide a backdrop for this monumental experience. The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), the research and conservation branch of the Garden, will also carry out key research into how solar eclipses affect plants and wildlife.”
Guests who choose to view the eclipse from inside the Garden will be able to gather at the expansive North and South Vistas, which offer unobstructed views of the sky. Prime eclipse viewing will also take place on the Museum's front lawn. Blankets and folding chairs will be allowed. To view the eclipse, guests may bring solar eclipse glasses or purchase them for $3 at either venue. Both venues encourage guests to follow NASA Eclipse Safety guidelines during the events.
Some of the Garden’s activities will include Sun Song Bingo, Pinhole Viewer Construction, Community Science with Members of FWBG’s Research Team, and Shadow Tracing. Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth will also have special activities available at the Garden for visually impaired guests. The Museum will have staff from the Noble Planetarium sharing information about the eclipse and will feature a performance from the U.S. Navy Band Brass Quintet before and after the moment of totality. Guests are invited to build a Pinhole Eclipse Viewer, create a Sun Print, make an Astronaut souvenir, participate in Sunshine Shenanigans, explore the eclipse with Chalk Art, and more.
"The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is thrilled to invite the community to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of a total solar eclipse. Nature's grandeur is on full display, and we are honored to be part of this rare cosmic event," said museum President Regina Faden, Ph.D. "We are excited to share the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our museum with everyone in Fort Worth and beyond."
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon crosses directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some or allthe Sun’s light. Solar eclipses happen on Earth two to five times a year, and total solar eclipses happen on average every 18 months. So, if total solar eclipses are not so rare, why has Fort Worth not seen one since July 29, 1878? This is because total solar eclipses only recur in one given place within the span of 360 to 410 years. Fort Worth will be in the path of totality, the point of the eclipse where the Moon fully covers the Sun to produce total darkness, for two and a half minutes starting at 1:41 p.m.
Both the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History are official NSTA/SSI Solar Eclipse Partners. The Museum’s work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is pleased to announce its successful reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), signifying the museum's ongoing dedication to the highest standards of excellence in the museum field.
Reaccreditation reinforces the museum's position as a member of a community of institutions committed to holding themselves publicly accountable to excellence. By meeting these rigorous standards, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History continues to be recognized as a trusted institution, ensuring the public's confidence in its operations.
"This reaccreditation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards in all facets of our museum," said Regina Faden, Ph.D., museum president. "It signifies that we not only meet the benchmarks set by the American Alliance of Museums but also actively engage in a philosophy of continual institutional growth."
The process of reaccreditation involves a comprehensive self-assessment and peer review, demonstrating that the museum is a responsible steward of the resources held in the public trust. This commitment to accountability ensures that the museum remains at the forefront of best practices in the museum field.
"We take great pride in being recognized as an institution dedicated to excellence and continual improvement," added Faden. "Our team's hard work and dedication to these standards contribute to the vibrant and enriching experiences we provide for our community."
As the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History moves forward with reaccreditation, visitors can trust in the museum's commitment to providing a space for exploration, education, and innovation.
For more information and to learn more about the museum's commitment to excellence, please visit www.fwmuseum.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
FORT WORTH, Texas (OCT. 10, 2023) — The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will incorporate the beauty of tradition, culture, and botanicals for Día de Los Muertos, Oct. 28-Nov. 2. Widely observed in Hispanic cultures, Día de Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, is a tradition where the living prepare for and celebrate the souls of the departed.
As a part of the Garden’s presentation, guests will be able to enjoy more than 46,000 marigolds (Taishan Orange & Coco Gold) that will be “rolled out” to create a show-stopping “carpet” down the Rose Garden stairs. These strongly scented flowers are believed to help deceased ancestors find their way home to the ofrendas prepared for them in conjunction with this special day. Ofrendas, or offerings, typically include food, photos, and mementos that are displayed on an altar with candles and incense. Garden guests are welcome to bring non-food items to add to the altar located at the Shelter House near the marigold exhibit.
Visitors will also be able to see more than 300 hand-painted wooden bricks that will line the marigold carpet. Several community organizations partnered with the Garden last year to create these beautiful pieces of art. They include Artes de la Rosa, Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (FW Chapter), Fort Worth Sister Cities (Toluca Committee), Federación de Clubes Zacatecanos de Fort Worth, Mana de North Texas, All Saints Catholic Church, Carrillo Funeral Home, and the Kimbell Art Museum.
Additionally, two trajineras, or colorful boats used to navigate the canals surrounding the floating gardens of Xochimilco (a borough south of Mexico City), will be on display near the marigold carpet. The boats were constructed by Garden volunteer Don Irwin and painted and decorated by Garden staff and members of the Garden !Celebramos! committee.
Inside the Garden Center, volunteer Cathy Kyle, has installed a beautiful example of a Mexican folk art calaca (skeleton). Titled La Diosa, this unique piece of living art features a succulent-covered dress accented with gomphrena plants from FWBG. Cathy has also been an instrumental part of creating the Garden’s breathtaking marigold display.
As of Oct. 1, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the fall and winter. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children (6-15), and free for children 5 and under. For more information, visit FWBG.org.
FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 29, 2023) — The Fort Worth Botanic Garden invites guests to join us for the third annual ¡Celebramos! A Celebration of Latin American Culture & Heritage, from Sept. 8 through Oct. 15. This four-week extravaganza will include 18 separate events, including dance and musical performances, art exhibitions, food, fashion, shopping opportunities, and special after-hour events.
New offerings this year include a Latin American Flag Parade featuring Ballet Folklorico, a Tequila & Margarita Festival(21+ only), and a Family Fun Day that will top off the series of events. All events have been designed to celebrate Latin America’s vibrant cultures and traditions.
"¡Celebramos! is a wonderful showcase of the richness of Latin American culture, “ said Estela Martinez-Stuart, FWBG Board Member and community leader. “It’s amazing that the Garden is providing opportunities for our community to come together to learn and share through art, entertainment, and traditions in such a beautiful setting."
Festivities begin Sept. 8, with an After Hours in the Garden: ¡Celebramos! Kickoff Event.Most daytime events are free with Garden admission. After-hour events may require an additional fee.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: A tribute to Día de Los Muertos will take place Oct. 28-Nov. 2. Guests will be able to enjoy more than 46,000 marigolds (Taishan Orange & Coco Gold) that will be “rolled out” to create a show-stopping “carpet” down the Rose Garden stairs. These strongly scented flowers are believed to help deceased ancestors find their way home to the ofrendas prepared for them in conjunction with this special day. Stay tuned for more information about this spectacular floral display.
Arts Fort Worth Unveils The Heart of Gold Awards
Fort Worth, Texas (Tuesday, August 29, 2023) - Arts Fort Worth is pleased to announce The Heart of Gold Awards, an esteemed annual event recognizing outstanding contributions to the arts community with the addition of two new award categories: Advocate for the Arts and Emerging Leaders in the Arts. The awards will be presented alongside the prestigious Heart of Gold Award, each recognizing exemplary dedication and advocacy within the arts sector.
The Heart of Gold Awards, now in its 11th year, continues to celebrate visionaries, creatives, and philanthropists who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to arts and culture and share Arts Fort Worth’s commitment to creating an environment that nurtures art forms as diverse as Fort Worth.
The Advocate for the Arts award honors an individual or organization that has shown unparalleled dedication to advocating for the arts. In this award’s first year, Arts Fort Worth recognizes Fort Worth Worth’s Art Commission Chair Estrus Tucker for his tireless efforts to promote accessibility to and through the arts. Tucker is President & CEO, and co-founder of DEI Consultants LLC, a national consulting firm serving corporations, nonprofits, and local governments in designing and implementing strategies that advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Emerging Leaders in the Arts award will celebrate talented professionals who have made significant strides leadership in their respective fields and highlights the crucial role and the invaluable impact of emerging talents in shaping the future of the community through the arts here in Fort Worth. The inaugural Emerging Leaders in the Arts Award recognizes Armond Vance (Working Artist/Performer/Writer), Wesely Kirk (Community Advocacy), Dr. Stephanie Love (Education), Jesse Borries (Philanthropy), and Ayesha Ganguly (Arts Administration).
In addition to the new awards, the Heart of Gold Award, will continue to shine a spotlight on a philanthropist, patron, or artist who has made an indelible mark on the arts through their extraordinary contributions, support, and dedication. Among her many successes is the nationally recognized nonprofit organization Imagination Celebration Fort Worth, a program she developed in collaboration with community arts and cultural leaders and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Ginger Head-Gearheart, a lifelong innovator and connector in the arts embodies the spirit of the Heart of Gold Award.
"The local arts community is built on passion and dedication, and these new awards will celebrate those who have gone above and beyond to ensure that the arts thrive and continue to inspire and connect us all," said Wesley Gentle, Executive Director and President of Arts Fort Worth who continued, “We are fortunate to have such dedication and compassion personified in each of the people honored this year.”
Fort Worth Report Article, August 22, 2023 - Fort Worth is putting $7.2 million more toward the Central City/Panther Island flood control project — though the city won’t ultimately pay most of the bill.
City Council members approved a $6 million construction contract to move a storm drain line near the intersection of Greenleaf and Kansas streets, just south of the White Settlement bridge. S.J. Louis Construction of Texas LTD presented the lowest bid, with construction expected to begin this month and be completed by August 2024.
The city must relocate utilities and stormwater lines to make way for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dig a 1.5-mile-long bypass channel that will reroute a part of the Trinity River near downtown Fort Worth. To meet the Army Corps’ timeline, the city must complete relocations by the end of 2024.
To pay for the Greenleaf project, the city will issue short-term debt notes known as commercial paper. As the local sponsor of the federal project, Tarrant Regional Water District is expected to reimburse the city for utility relocation projects on an annual basis. After the reimbursement, the city expects to pay about $100,000 for staff time spent on the Greenleaf relocation.
The project will relocate the storm drain system and replace eight inlets draining into the future south bypass channel. Construction crews are also expected to install specialized water quality treatment inlet devices, requiring a higher level of maintenance than the existing system’s inlets and increasing costs by $2,400 per year.
The project is one of eight stormwater relocation and 14 utility relocation projects related to the Central City flood control project.
Relocations at Grand Avenue, Viola Street, Main Street and Greenleaf Street — most located near Fort Worth’s Northside community — are expected to begin construction this year. Construction began on Calhoun Street and North Commerce Street near 8th Avenue in July, with the project expected to wrap by October.
Next week, the city of Fort Worth will hold a public meeting discussing sewer main relocations near North Henderson and Calvert Street. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Tarrant Regional Water District boardroom, 800 E Northside Drive.
Haley Samsel is the environmental reporter for the Fort Worth Report. You can reach them at haley.samsel@fortworthreport.org.
Rachel Behrndt is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at rachel.behrndt@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter.
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