Revitalization targets Fort Worth’s Northside, Polytechnic

Two historic neighborhoods in Fort Worth are about to get a major economic boost. The city announced Tuesday that it has partnered with Main Street America for a three-year revitalization program in Historic Northside and Polytechnic. Economic development leaders representing the two districts will receive training to help transform these historic commercial corridors. The national program helps major metros across the country revitalize communities with potential for economic growth; Fort Worth is the first city in Texas to partner with Main Street America. The announcement means Northside and Polytechnic will benefit from up to $270,000 in grants and access to Main Street America’s national network. Both corridors will receive funding to hire full-time staff who can implement the economic development strategy.

“It’s going to give us training as economic development people on how to use best practices based on what’s been done in other cities,” said Stacy Marshall, president and CEO of Southeast Fort Worth, Inc. Development of Northside will alleviate pressure and the growing need for revitalization between the Stockyards and future development on Panther Island, just north of downtown. “I think it’s going to further a lot of efforts that have been talked about in the past but at that time didn’t have the necessary support structure of funding,” said City Council member Carlos Flores. “With getting support for this, it opens up possibilities. I think it’s a good time for alignment of this program with what’s going on near the Northside area. We have the Stockyards, and Panther Island is getting funding to continue flood control work. All these are positives. The area in between them is in need of revitalization and investment in both the neighborhood and commercial sense.” Efforts in the corridor will be led by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.