HustleBlendz coffee shop in south Fort Worth was jam-packed Wednesday as the city of Fort Worth and the developers of the long-awaited Evans and Rosedale redevelopment project held the first of several community events with local business owners.
The $63 million, six-acre affordable housing development is expected to break ground this summer, after years of delays and a change in developer. The meeting comes as the developer, Milwaukee-based Royal Capital LLC, has been approved for a critical state housing tax credit and received approval for a $31 million bond.
On Wednesday, Royal Capital met with local businesses in “community office hours” as the bidding process begins ahead of construction.
The Evans and Rosedale development is planned to be a catalyst for revitalization in the neighborhood, said Randle Howard, owner of R.D. Howard Construction, and he wants African American-owned businesses to be a vital part of it.
“I think that the feeling is that there should be at least a little extra push to try to make sure that some of the people that have deep roots in the community get to take part in this project,” Howard said.
Howard’s company, which he said his father began 80 years ago, was part of the construction team for the new Fort Worth City Hall building.
“Hopefully, this will be a good opportunity for the community, for my business, and other businesses like ours,” Howard said.
Along with that $63 million investment, Royal Capital has also made a commitment to ensure 30% of businesses in the development will be small, with a “best faith” effort to attract neighborhood businesses.
“We’re excited to partner with local groups to create success for this project,” said Kevin Newell, Royal Capital founder and CEO. “This project is something we should all be proud of.”
Fort Worth District 8 zoning commissioner Tammy Pierce said that hiring African American contractors for the massive project will help restore trust and create more equity in the city.
“We should have Black contractors make money, because we’ve been starving in this market,” Pierce said. “We’re excited because maybe, for a change, this is an opportunity for us to be able to create generational wealth.”
Kristina Banta, president of the Historic Southside neighborhood association, said that Royal Capital has listened to the desires and concerns of residents during the development process.
“It’s been a really great partnership, and they’ve been delightful to work with,” Banta said.
In February, Royal Capital LLC applied for $2.8 million in 2026 state housing tax credits after securing a $31 million bond reservation from the Tarrant County Housing Finance Corp., according to data from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
That tax credit, a key component of the project’s financing, will be reviewed in May by a seven-member board that oversees Texas’ affordable housing program or approved administratively by a member of that board.
The city of Fort Worth has invested over $19 million in the development. The real estate closing deadline for the development is June 1, with one 60-day extension available.
“We’re in that development phase where we’re largely focusing on closing up loose ends,” Newell said.
The Fort Worth Urban Design Commission will review the final plans for the development at its meeting Thursday. According to a city of Fort Worth report, the development will consist of nine buildings with 180 residential units and three buildings for commercial and retail use.
In November 2025, the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corp. approved a package of five resolutions related to the development, including a formal development agreement with Royal Capital, the hiring of an attorney, the acquisition of several parcels of land, and the agreement that the corporation or one of its affiliates can serve as a general contractor or joint venture partner for the construction of the village.
Wednesday’s event was the first of several monthly events Royal Capital plans to have. Each will be themed, with an opportunity for local businesses and residents to learn more about the development.
Bidding is currently open to contractors interested in offering services for the redevelopment.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Emily Holshouser is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.