The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ bypass channel will cut through that area near downtown Fort Worth as seen on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2026.
Amanda McCoy
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
A 12-story tower expected to be a “catalyst” for development on Fort Worth’s Panther Island could move forward this week.
At its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Fort Worth City Council is expected to weigh an agreement with Austin-based Seco Enterprises, LLC for a mixed-use development on the canal system that will be a major component of Panther Island.
Nearly 300 units, retail space
The agreement on Tuesday’s agenda is for Seco to develop the 12-story building, which is expected to contain 290 units, 9,000 square feet of retail space, and other “public improvements,” according to the council agenda.
The tower would be between North Main Street, North Commerce Street, and Northeast Fourth Street. It is expected to be one of the first major catalysts for Panther Island.
In June, the council approved up to $10 million to help Seco build the tower. That deal is meant to help demonstrate public support for development on the island and ensure Seco earns at least a 6.5% return on its investment in the land.
In 2024, Seco purchased 26 acres from Houston-based Acquisition Partners. The company is the largest private landowner on Panther Island.
Panther Island making progress
Panther Island has been purring to life over the past few months. In late September, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the award of a $169 million contract for the construction of the northern portion of a bypass channel.
That bypass channel will serve as the flood control element of Panther Island. At completion, it will connect sections of the Clear and West forks of the Trinity River north of downtown.
The city council is set to weigh other key moves related to Panther Island this week, including changes to the city’s zoning code to reflect the updated vision for the development.
Under the new zoning, there would be just two districts for the island — one district focused on developments along the island’s edge, and the other focused on developments inside its core.
Buildings would have new design standards, including new limits on height. Buildings in the island’s edge could be up to 15 stories tall, with buildings in the island’s core allowed up to 24 stories.
At its meeting on Oct. 14, the Fort Worth Zoning Commission is set to review an application for a mixed-use development with 20-story towers, a hotel, retail space, and parking on Panther Island at the former site of the Henderson Street Flea Market.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Emily Holshouser is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.