DFWI's Plan 2033 Exemplifies the Commitment to Transforming Downtown Fort Worth Into a Dynamic Hub
August 30,2024
See full Fort Worth Chamber article here.
A dynamic downtown is crucial to the vitality of any community, serving as a powerful engine for economic growth. Despite their smaller geographic footprint, downtowns hold immense economic and cultural value. They not only generate substantial tax revenue and support a thriving business environment but also play a pivotal role in providing cultural amenities and social infrastructure that benefit the entire community. Downtown Fort Worth Inc.'s (DFWI) Plan 2033 exemplifies the commitment to transforming downtown Fort Worth into a dynamic hub, making it a competitive destination for businesses, visitors, and residents alike.
Plan 2033 is the product of a year-long planning process involving extensive collaboration with key stakeholders, City staff, Trinity Metro, and the Fort Worth business community. The resulting vision is clear: downtown Fort Worth will continue to thrive as a dynamic and diverse district that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. It will be a place where connectivity, creativity, and entrepreneurship flourish alongside a high quality of life.
Andy Taft, President of DFWI, states that “Plan 2033 builds on the four 10-year plans that came before it. Today, we reap the rewards of long-term, strategic investment in a broader array of land uses. While residential, hospitality, office, government, retail and higher education metrics are stronger than ever, we see even more development following – about $3B in the current pipeline - as a result of those pursuits.
“On these downtown land use anchors, we are adding more high-quality inventory, more usable green space, repositioning Butler Place, improving transportation services and more, all while ensuring the extraordinary pedestrian friendliness that Fort Worth values. Perhaps just as impressive, the remarkable urban infill we see around downtown – on West 7th and Camp Bowie, the Near Southside, the Northside and Stockyards, and Eastside – all point to a robust reawakening of center city Fort Worth.”
Plan 2033 is built around four key goals: Livable Neighborhoods, Diversified Economy, Great and Distinctive Places, and Seamless Connections. A diversified economy ensures resilience against market disruptions, something that is vital for sustaining long-term business success. Livable neighborhoods and distinctive places make Downtown Fort Worth an attractive place to live and work, further drawing talent and investment to our city. Seamless connections—both within downtown and to surrounding areas—facilitate the flow of people, ideas, and commerce, all of which are crucial for maintaining Fort Worth’s competitive edge.
Taft closed by saying, “Together, we can ensure that the heart of our city beats stronger than ever.”