The Old Bedford School.
City of Bedford
Bedford is renovating a historic school building to become an event space for community art, weddings and other events.
During its Aug. 25 meeting, the city council voted unanimously to contract with Morales Construction and LBL Architects for $1.2 million for the design and construction work on the Old Bedford School at 2400 School Lane.
The design work should take around three months and construction approximately six months to complete.
The funding for renovating the Old Bedford School will come from hotel occupancy tax revenue. The funds can be used for specific purposes such as preserving a historic asset and supporting cultural arts, events and activities that will attract people to come to Bedford, according to information from the city.
“This building needs a lot of improvements. It needs a lot of updates,” City Manager Andrea Roy said during the council meeting.
She described brickwork that is deteriorated and the need to upgrade restrooms that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Other improvements include the restoration of “historic features” and lighting and adding security upgrades.
Roy added that the architect and construction firm have extensive experience in dealing with municipal facilities and older buildings with historic character.
Roy said that staff will continue working with the city council and city staff will also meet with community arts and theater groups to help shape future programming, rental policies and uses for the space.
The Old Bedford School building as it stands now. City of Bedford History of the Old Bedford School
The school was built in 1914-1915 when Bedford was a small rural community. The school became an important landmark as the community grew, and is an example of pre-World War II architecture in northeast Tarrant County.
The school continued operating until 1969, when Bedford purchased the school and surrounding land from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district and used the building for a garage and storage.
But the building was heavily damaged by fire in 1991, the third fire in its history.
During the 1990s, Bedford spent over $500,000 to renovate and restore the building to its original floor plan and exterior design., and it became an interpretive museum depicting early and mid-century school life in rural northeast Tarrant County.
The Old Bedford School. City of Bedford
It was also used as an event venue. The Old Bedford School was used for senior programs until November 2024 and it was the home of the well-known Onstage Theater until the nonprofit moved out of the building at the end of July because of the upcoming renovations.
Mayor Dan Cogan said during the meeting that the renovation is an exciting opportunity for Bedford.
“We’ve been kicking around this idea for eight-plus years while the roof was leaking in that building and everything was deteriorating,” he said.
Cogan added that the renovated Old Bedford School will fit a “niche market.”
“We’re not trying to be a huge venue. But there are many groups throughout the community, throughout the area, that would like to utilize that space,” Cogan said.
Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
With my guide dog Freddie, I keep tabs on growth, economic development and other issues in Northeast Tarrant cities and other communities near Fort Worth. I’ve been a reporter at the Star-Telegram for 34 years.