Fort Worth launching Stockyards design task force

By Scott Nishimura snishimura@bizpress.net

The Fort Worth City Council is forming a 15-member task force to advise the city on the creation of a Historic Stockyards design district that guides future development.

The council is scheduled to vote Oct. 21 on the task force, which would be chaired by the Fort Worth architect Eric Hahnfeld and include County Commissioner J.D. Johnson and representatives from major Stockyards property owners and businesses, the Urban Design Commission, Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission, Zoning Commission, and Historic Fort Worth.

The task force would be responsible for confirming the district’s boundaries and scope of work for a consultant, and identifying a consultant; confirming the public input process and reviewing public comments; reviewing and commenting on the consultant’s work; and recommending design district boundaries, standards, and guidelines for the City Council’s consideration.

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The task force would complete its duties and be disbanded by June 30 next year. Its meetings would be open to the public.

Members:

  • Eric Hahnfeld, architect, chairman
  • Lori Gordon, Urban Design Commission, District 2
  • Robert Gutierrez, Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission, District 2
  • Carlos Flores, Zoning Commission, District 2, Northside Neighborhood Association
  • Tarrant County Commissioner J.D. Johnson, Precinct 4
  • Bob Adams, board member, Historic Fort Worth, Inc.
  • Hub Baker, executive director, Stockyards Championship Rodeo
  • Gary Brinkley, general manager, Stockyards Station
  • Craig Cavileer, executive vice president, Majestic Realty Co.
  • Marty Humphrey, president, North Fort Worth Historical Society
  • Don Jury, general partner, Stockyards 2000
  • Billy Minick, co-owner, Billy Bob’s Texas
  • Phillip Murrin, co-owner, Murrin Bros. 1885
  • Keith Powell, president, Stockyards Business Association

On July 15, the City Council approved a zoning change in the Stockyards to mixed-use zoning and directed the city staff to create a design district that would help ensure that future development is consistent with the district’s historic and western character.

The push for design standards was driven by the announcement of a planned, major redevelopment by Majestic Realty and Fort Worth’s Hickman family, the Stockyards’ largest property owner.