About Us
We’re the people behind Downtown: business leaders, residents, property owners, volunteers, and staff. We work together and with our elected leaders and other community groups to make Downtown Fort Worth a premiere destination for work, leisure, living and shopping.
Two entities, one focus.
Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
The mission of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI) is to be the catalyst for transforming Downtown into a vibrant place to live, visit, enjoy and conduct business through aggressive leadership of programs, projects and partnerships.
Formed in 1981, DFWI is Downtown Fort Worth's planning, advocacy, public space and project management organization. DFWI serves as a liaison, ombudsman, and information source for property owners, residents, business owners, lenders, community organizations, and policy makers.
DFWI is a 501 (c)(6) non-profit membership organization engaged in a wide range of downtown development and management activities:
- DFWI leads the downtown strategic action planning process, conducted every 10 years. Plan implementation, advocacy and advancement are championed by DFWI volunteer leaders and staff. Plan 2023 is available here.
- DFWI started and manages the first Public Improvement District in the state of Texas, established in 1986 and Fort Worth PID #14. The PIDs provide enhanced services to property owners including maintenance and landscaping, public space management, promotions and marketing, research, transportation, planning and security services to 564 acres of Downtown. More about the PIDs here.
- DFWI administers Fort Worth’s first Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) by contract with the City of Fort Worth. Eligible TIF projects include parking, infrastructure assistance to new developments, historic preservation, affordable housing, transportation, and education. More about the TIF here.
Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc.
DFWII is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that provides a pathway for foundation grants, philanthropic donations and other contributions to help fund charitable, educational, and public-purpose Downtown projects.
- DFWII is a partner and co-owner in Jennings Place, 172 unit, 12 acre, mixed income residential development with Fort Worth Housing Solutions (current)
- DFWII managed the Convention Center events plaza design (2002-3)
- DFWII master leased the UTA Fort Worth Center and facilitated UTA’s occupancy (2007)
- DFWII developed and maintains the JFK Tribute in Fort Worth (2011)
- DFWII renovated and maintains General Worth Square (2011)
- DFWII renovated, maintains and manages Burnett Park (2008)
- DFWII is administering the Heritage Plaza restoration design ($35.5M raised, $13.5M in 2022 bond proposal)
- DFWII fundraised and commissioned the U3 TAMU expansion study (2021)
- DFWII fundraised and commissioned the U3 TAMU Fort Worth/Tarrant County Needs Assessment (2022)
- DFWII fundraised and commissioned the African American Museum workshop (2022)