The Evans & Rosedale project in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside is moving forward once more, with several city leaders reiterating Fort Worth’s commitment to the development and to the community during a recent public meeting.
District 8 Councilmember Chris Nettles provided welcoming remarks, confirming his goal to ensure that development takes place soon on six acres of land located around 916 Evans Ave., near the Ella Mae Shamblee Library.
“I know there may be uncertainty here tonight,” Nettles said. “But we’re here to make things move forward.”
Why it matters: Robert Sturns, director of Economic Development, gave a short overview of the City of Fort Worth’s efforts to redevelop the area since the late 1990s, resulting in more than $30 million in public investments and community planning efforts. He stressed the need for a project that does credit to the legacy of the historic neighborhood and reflects its goals for the future.
“Over the years, we could have done any number of things at this site, but it is important to get the fit right,” Sturns said. “We understand the history of this area and its long legacy of Black-owned business development, and we want to make sure anything we bring out here is a complement to that history and a complement to the community.”