A $10 million donation makes the project eligible for plan review by TxDOT
Downtown Fort Worth Inc.
The redevelopment of Heritage and Paddock Parks is a step closer to becoming a reality.
The North Texas Council of Government’s Regional Transportation Council authorized spending $8 million on the project, which in turn makes it eligible to have its architectural plans reviewed by the Texas Department of Transportation.
The project will also get $2 million in matching funds from the city of Fort Worth.
The combined $10 million will go toward creating a pedestrian ramp that will connect Paddock Park on the north side of the Tarrant County Courthouse down to Heritage Park on the banks of the Trinity River.
“The RTC just fired the starter pistol on this project, and now we’re off to the races,” said Andy Taft, president of Downtown Fort Worth Inc.
While the conceptual designs for the project are already finished, TxDOT needs to review the architectural and engineering plans.
“We’re literally talking nuts and bolts,” Taft said.
There’s no date for when TxDOT will complete its plan review, but the move by the Regional Transportational Council put that’s review in motion, he said.
“This is a perfect example of leveraging public-private partnerships,” said Fort Worth City Council member Elizabeth Beck in a text message to the Star-Telegram. Her district includes downtown where the project will be built.
The project has received support from the Amon Carter Foundation, Bell Helicopter, BNSF and Alcon.
The $10 million combined with money raised by nonprofit Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the city of Fort Worth and private donors will all contribute towards the goal of the $50 million needed to complete the redevelopment, Beck said, adding she was happy to deliver for her district.
Taft credited Beck, Mayor Mattie Parker and Tarrant County as being stalwart supporters of the project.
“We still have a road to travel, but that’s great company to keep on a voyage like this,” he said.
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Harrison Mantas has covered Fort Worth city government, agencies and people since September 2021. He likes to live tweet city hall meetings, and help his fellow Fort Worthians figure out what’s going on.