Urban Villages

What are Urban Villages?

An Urban Village is a compact, urbanized place with a mix of land uses, jobs, public spaces, transportation connections, pedestrian activity, and a sense of place. The City of Fort Worth has designated 17 urban villages and is working with developers, business groups and neighborhood associations to revitalize these older commercial districts throughout the Central City. For more information, contact: LongRangePlanning@fortworthtexas.gov

View the Urban Villages

History of the Urban Village development program

Timeline:

In 2000, the Commercial Corridors Task Force was established with the mission “to create economic development opportunities in selected commercial corridors that can be measured by increases in employment, tax base, and business growth and quality-of-life improvements, particularly in low- and moderate-income areas.” 

 The task force identified 13 Urban Villages located within 7 priority commercial corridors:

  • East Lancaster Avenue: Oakland Corners, Historic Handley
  • East Rosedale Street: Evans & Rosedale, Polytechnic/Wesleyan
  • Hemphill Street: Magnolia, Hemphill/Berry
  • West Seventh Street: Trinity Park, West Seventh/University
  • Camp Bowie Boulevard: Ridglea, Camp Bowie/Hulen
  • North Main Street: Mercado, Paddock Bend
  • Berry Street: Berry/University

The 2002 Central City Commercial Corridors Revitalization Strategy Report summarized the findings of the Commercial Corridors Task Force. This included a vision statement, urban design plan, investment challenges and marketing opportunities, development strategy, economic analysis, and reinvestment strategies specific to each Urban Village.

In 2005, the City Council directed the City Plan Commission to evaluate existing and potential new Urban Villages. This process resulted in the de-designation of Paddock Bend and Camp Bowie/Hulen, merging of West 7th/University and Trinity Park, renaming of Mercado to Historic Marine, and addition of 6 new Urban Villages: Berry/Riverside, Berry Stalcup, Bluebonnet Circle, Near East Side, Six Points, and South Main.

In 2016, the Lake Arlington Urban Village was designated to support the Lake Arlington Master Plan.  

Selection Criteria:

Criteria used to select the Urban Villages included:

  • Compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Presence of unified, energetic stakeholders.
  • Ability to create mixed-use activity centers, emphasizing live/work/play opportunities with multi-modal access.
  • Demonstrated community need, both perceived and quantified.
  • Presence of a near- or long-term market opportunity and prospects for success.
  • Ability to leverage existing or planned public investment.
  • Upward trend in local investment.
  • Consistent in character and building on prevailing strengths.
  • Opportunities to strengthen and link existing districts or activity centers.
  • Physical environment including parks and open space, public improvements, historic building stock, etc.
  • Potential for creating key entryways or gateways into development areas.
  • Opportunities for land assembly.
  • Availability of public programs, incentives and tools for revitalization.
  • Presence of support organizations – service groups, churches, schools.
  

How is the City promoting the development of Urban Villages?

The City uses a range of tools and strategies to encourage development and investment within the Urban Villages. These include master plans, mixed-use zoning, economic incentives and capital improvements. Given the unique character and conditions of each Urban Village, additional village-specific strategies may also be supported in partnership with local stakeholders.  

Master Plans & Design Guidelines

The City prepares master plans & design guidelines in cooperation with anchor institutions, businesses, and neighborhoods. These documents provide a conceptual roadmap to achieve the desired growth and development within the Urban Village. They analyze the existing conditions, identify development opportunities, and make high-level recommendations about land use and urban design.  

Pages-from-Berry-University-Development-Plan-2016.png

Excerpt from Berry-University Development Plan (2016)

Mixed-Use Zoning

The City applies mixed-use zoning to permit higher-density, pedestrian-oriented development consistent with community vision.

Mixed-Use zoning allows a variety of housing types alongside commercial, institutional, and selected light industrial uses. Mixed-Use districts are designed to accommodate and encourage compact, walkable development forms. These are more land-efficient, cost-effective, and revenue-positive for the City than low density, single-use developments.

Several Urban Villages are also within urban design overlay districts. In these areas, additional standards, guidelines, and form-based codes may apply to regulate the design of buildings.

South-Main-2-Austin-James-Visit-FW.jpg

Mixed-Use development in South Main Urban Village

Photo Source: https://www.fortworth.com/

Economic Incentives

The city administers several programs to incentivize private investment within Urban Villages. See the links for more information about each program. For more information about economic incentives, contact Economic Development.

PolytechnicWesleyan Facade

Facade Improvements in Polytechnic-Wesleyan Urban Village

Capital Improvements

The City funds capital improvement projects such as infrastructure, streetscape, and landscape improvements within the Urban Villages. These public investments provide necessary services, enhance pedestrian and transit access, and create a more positive image and climate to attract redevelopment. 

Evans & Rosedale Plaza Streetscape improvements in Evans & Rosedale Urban Village

    

 

Results of the Urban Village Program

Photo Gallery

Made with Flourish

Performance Dashboards

Made with Flourish

Made with Flourish