The Hooters restaurant proposed for downtown Fort Worth received unanimous approval from the Downtown Design Review Board (DDRB) on Thursday, with some changes to the design of the building.
The architect, GHA Architecture, plans to build the Hooters at 150 Throckmorton St. GHA Architecture sought approval for three elements of the building’s design: the outdoor patio, a metal rainscreen design for the entrance to the restaurant and internally-lit wall signs that spell the name “Hooters.”
The DDRB approved the patio design but recommended changes to the rest of the building. Some of those changes dealt with the height of the sign’s letters, as the DDRB requested that the height be reduced from 36 inches to 30 inches. The board also recommended that the sign be backlit, rather than internally lit, to avoid the logo’s bright orange light from shining into other areas downtown. In addition, the building’s original design also had two signs on the building, but the DDRB asked that there be only one sign.
The Hooters development was met with opposition, however. Sasha Camacho, who lives across the street from the proposed Hooters, spoke before the DDRB, saying she was against the project.
The name “Hooters” is a “vulgar slang term for breasts,” she said.
“As a female in the Fort Worth community, I don’t think that’s how we like addressing women,” Camacho said.
She said she agreed with the DDRB that the “Hooters” signs were too large and the orange light that shined from the sign would disturb the surrounding establishments.
Still, she says she wishes the Hooters would not be built altogether.
Camacho said she and other opponents of the Hooters will continue working to prevent the development.
Over 1,300 have signed petition against the development, she said.
“My problem is not with Hooters,” Camacho said. “You can have as many Hooters as you wish, but just not in my neighborhood because your type of establishment is not the establishment that I signed up for in this town.”
Opponents of the Hooters applauded Camacho as she left the podium.
“Stand up for something Fort Worth,” she said as she walked back to her seat. “Have some pride.”
Supporters of the restaurant have also started a campaign in favor of the location.
The DDRB is a city committee that reviews incoming structures to make sure the projects align with the overall design of downtown.
DDRB Notes
- Civil engineering firm Dunaway Associates is working with developer StoneHawk Capital to build a four-story apartment complex and town homes at 701 Hampton Avenue, the site of the old RadioShack warehouse. The DDRB approved the project, which will be sent to the City Plan Commission for approval.
- The proposed apartment development on the former home of nonprofit agency ACH Child and Family Services also received approval from the DDRB. Trammell Crow Residential has plans to build a 372-unit apartment on the 6.6-acre land. The project will be sent to the City Plan Commission next for approval.
- The DDRB also approved plans to build the Kent Lofts at 130 East Lancaster Ave. Plans for the development include four stories with 205 apartment units and two stories of parking. The DDRB requested that the developer work with city staff to determine the location and size of the building’s signage, as well as redesign the corner of the building facing Lancaster Avenue and Main Street to make the corner more unique.
- The DDRB voted to continue discussing a mixed-use development at 501 East Bluff Street. Property owner Justin McWilliams wants to build three structures: one three-story mixed-use building and two three-story residential buildings. He plans for the building to have a “south beach” design, he said, and the DDRB asked that McWilliams work with city staff on the aesthetics of the building.
- The DDRB approved the design of American National Bank and Trust, which plans a location at 1500 West Seventh Street. Kamatsu Architecture will work with city staff to refine additional elements of the design, such as the material of the building’s signage.