Fort Worth is looking to Grapevine for inspiration to boost development around a rail station north of downtown. The city is considering zoning changes around the TEXRail station at 2829 Decatur Ave to create a walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood.

Proposal Details

The proposal, approved by council members on August 11, would affect land around the rail station, excluding most single-family homes nearby. The targeted properties are located along or near Northeast 28th Street or Decatur Avenue, with others on Glendale and Brennan avenues and North Hays, Hardy, Schadt, and Peak streets.

The current zoning runs from heavy industrial to one- and two-family designations. The idea is to bring in high-intensity mixed-use and urban residential zoning, along with neighborhood commercial and two-family designations, some of which already exist in the area.

Community Support

Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores, who represents the area, said residents who attended two public meetings in June and July were overwhelmingly in support of the proposal. Flores also mentioned that he talked with two property owners who were worried about the effect that rezoning would have on their businesses, and the city is discussing options with those business owners.

New residential-retail projects would attract commuters who travel on rail, according to Flores. The transit-oriented developments on the Northside would be supplemented by a $71 million affordable housing complex planned at the northeast corner of North Main and 29th streets near the Stockyards.

Future Plans

The success of TEXRail service led Trinity Metro to consider building transit-oriented developments at rail stations. Mike Brennan, the former Near Southside Inc. president, was hired in January as the transit agency’s vice president of economic development.

Trinity Metro’s financial analysis shows TEXRail generates strong economic growth, driven by the service’s reliability and 30-minute all-day schedule, officials said. Ben Robertson, a Trinity Metro board member, said the success of Grapevine’s rail station is directly attributed to a partnership between community leaders and public and private investment.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.