This May, the city of Fort Worth is asking voters to approve a nearly $1 billion bond package.
The $845 million bond package includes six propositions targeting improvements to streets, the public library, parks and recreation facilities, affordable housing, police and fire communications and the animal shelter.
Each proposition has a different budget ranging from $10 million to more than $500 million. Voters can vote for or against any or all of the propositions.
Fort Worth Proposition A: Streets and mobility infrastructure improvements — $511,480,700.
Proposition A covers 60.9% of the bond. These projects are spread across the city and include expanding and rebuilding roadways; upgrading streetlights, traffic signals and intersections; and improving bridge safety and railroad crossings. It would also fund Vision Zero projects, aimed at preventing roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
Fort Worth Proposition B: Park, recreation, and open space acquisitions and improvements — $185,140,000.
Proposition B covers 22% of the bond. These projects aim to increase recreational opportunities, preserve natural spaces and build new community amenities for residents and visitors. If approved, funding would support upgrades to metropolitan and community parks, rebuild the Atatiana Carr Jefferson Community Center at Hillside, conserve open space land, improve aquatic centers and fund infrastructure and facility upgrades at destinations like the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth Water Gardens and the Fort Worth Zoo.
Fort Worth Proposition C: Public library improvements — $14,586,000.
Proposition C totals 1.7% of the bond. It would fund improvements to the City’s library system, including the relocation of the Fort Worth History Center and remodel to the Southwest Regional Library and Diamond Hill/Jarvis Library. These projects aim to modernize facilities, improve access to local history resources and enhance library spaces for community learning, research and programs.
Fort Worth Proposition D: Affordable housing — $10,000,000.
Proposition D is 1.18% of the bond. It would support the construction and rehabilitation of affordable owner-occupied and rental housing. Potential uses include purchasing vacant properties and paying toward infrastructure or site preparation to prepare the land for housing to be developed, providing assistance with repairs or rehabilitation and making loans or grants toward affordable housing.
Fort Worth Proposition E: Police, fire, and emergency communications facilities — $63,919,300.
Proposition E is 7.6% of the bond. It would fund public safety infrastructure, including building a new Fire Station 46 in southwest Fort Worth, rebuilding Fire Station 40 in northwest Fort Worth and constructing a new 911 call center to improve emergency response and call handling. These projects aim to support firefighters and emergency dispatchers while helping ensure faster, more reliable emergency services for residents as the City continues to grow.
Fort Worth Proposition F: Animal care and shelter improvements — $59,874,000.
Proposition F is 7.1% of the bond. It would fund the construction of a new animal shelter with expanded space and improved facilities. The new shelter is intended to replace the current Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care & Control Center, allowing the City to increase shelter capacity and improve adoption, medical and animal services for the community.
City officials said the bond package is designed to operate within the existing property tax rate and, if approved, the bonds are expected to be repaid without increasing the rate. More details on the bond package can be read here.
What is a bond election?
A bond election is a way for a city to create a long-term plan to fund improvements to large infrastructure projects. These projects often focus on renovations of streets, parks, libraries and emergency services.
The goals of the bond program are to improve the quality of life for Fort Worth residents and to support the Fort Worth 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Fort Worth is growing rapidly, and the goals of the bond include funding infrastructure, mobility, transportation, recreational, fiscal responsibility and funding partnerships.