EastBerryStreet_REPORT_FINAL_06.11.2025_Print (1)

ADOPTED BY FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL MAY 20, 2025

2025

City of Fort Worth East Berry Corridor Plan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study was developed through a collaborative process involving public engagement and with the help of the following stakeholders in Fort Worth, Texas: Fort Worth City Council Mayor Mattie Parker Mayor Pro-Tem Gyna Bivens, District 5 Jeanette Martinez, District 11 Chris Nettles, District 8 Stakeholder Advisory Committee Stacy Marshall | Southeast Fort Worth, Inc Susan Young | Tarrant County Kenny Mosley | Renaissance Heights Foundation Roderick Miles | City of Fort Worth Tax Increment Finance District #12 Marie Love | Glen Crest Neighborhood Association Elvis Bowman, Sr | Greater Mount Tabor Christian System Kenneth Spears | First Saint John Cathedral Fort Worth City Staff Kelly Porter, AICP | Program Manager Walter Council | Project Manager Armond Bryant, AICP | Deputy Project Manager Monique Ward | Deputy Project Manager Eric Fladager | Assistant Director of The FWLab LaShondra Stringfellow, AICP | Assistant Director of Development Services Justin Newhart | Planning Manager in Development Services Ori Fernandez, MBA | Assistant Director of Economic Development Martha Collins | Economic Development Manager/ TIF #12 Administrator Crystal Hinojosa | Economic Development Manager Lacey Ruiz | Public Improvement District Administrator Jesus “Jay” Chapa | City Manager Consultant Team Kimley-Horn Jeff Whitacre, AICP, PE, PTP Stephen Stansbery, AICP Wesley Sprott Jessica Rossi, AICP Reid Cleeter Nikki Elliott, PE Ethan Turney Lizet Anett Livable Plans and Codes Jayashree Narayana, AICP, CNU-A Michael Huston, AICP, LEED-AP K-Strategies Alicia Ortega

Mend Collaborative Michelle Bright, SITES AP ViewPro Suhag Kansara

Jesica McEachern | Assistant City Manager Lauren Prieur, PE | Transportation and Public Works Director April Rose Escamilla, PE | Capital Delivery, Water Department

01 INTRODUCTION 02 VISION & GOALS

03 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 04 EXISTING CONDITIONS

05 ANALYSIS 06 CONCEPTS 07 ZONING FRAMEWORK 08 CATALYST SITE ECONOMIC STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTATION 09

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary

4 | East Berry Corridor Study

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The East Berry Street Corridor Plan outlines a vision and the strategic actions necessary to catalyze economic develop, and transform East Berry Street into a walkable corridor for all-ages and abilities. The need for a detailed corridor plan that focused on implementation along East Berry had been established through previous 2002 planning efforts such as the Urban Villages. The 2022 Bond Program also identified East Berry Street as an established corridor in need of redesigning to complete the transformation of a corridor that supports walking, biking, and transit. The strategic actions of this plan will help advance implementation and set the stage for future design and construction activities in future bond cycles. This study includes several key elements: z A vision informed through a robust engagement process of listening to stakeholders, an advisory committee, residents, and businesses, combined with technical considerations and performance expectations. z Land use concepts that illustrate the vision through conceptual plans of catalytic sites, tailored to the identified needs for in-fill residential and commercial developments, that provide residents opportunities to gather. z Transportation enhancements that identify the necessary infrastructure to improve the corridor’s safety, connectivity, traffic flow, and walkability. z Economic Strategies that may be leveraged to realize the vision, catalyze development, and capitalize on both public and private sector investments throughout the corridor. z An implementation strategy that outlines the necessary steps to realize the agreed upon vision and goals, including key infrastructure investments and a form-based zoning code that will allow for realization of the land use concepts. The East Berry Street Corridor Plan followed a four-phase approach that kicked off in January 2023 and ran through adoption in May 2025. The various phases of the planning process included: z Phase One: Vision, Goals, and Assessment z Phase Two: Analysis z Phase Three: Concepts and Recommendations z Phase Four: Action Plan

Executive Summary | 5

Phase One: Vision, Goals, and Assessment : A Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) was formed, consisting of at-large members representing various aspects of the community. Th SAC was charged with the development of the vision statement of the corridor, development of the goals, and assisted with facilitating strategies and actions that will support realization of the vision and goals. The following vision statement was established for the East Berry Street Corridor Plan: “The future of East Berry Street will be a safe, equitable, inclusive, and thriving corridor that connects the diverse community and serves as a catalyst for community building that supports economic development, investments in technology, and shared prosperity.” To compliment the vision statement six goals were established:

5. COMMUNITY BUILDING Promote compatible development that adds value to our community of all ages, fosters community partnership, and connects people with opportunity. 2. TRAVEL OPTIONS Improve accessibility, availability, and reliability of public transportation by enhancing infrastructure and increasing connectivity with other parts of the City.

6. CONNECTIVITY Support connectivity through community building, enhanced transportation options, recreational facilities, and expansion of public Wi-Fi. Corridor with job training and educational opportunities as well as access to investment capital and local development partnerships. 3. UPWARD MOBILITY Develop an economically vibrant

1. SAFETY Create a safe environment along the corridor that encourages people to walk and bicycle.

4. BELONGING Create a welcoming sense of place representative of the community through public spaces, public art, and access to amenities.

6 | East Berry Corridor Study

During Phase One, a “Foundations Report” was completed to establish a comprehensive understanding of existing conditions throughout the Corridor. Phase Two: Analysis focused on analysis and recommendations of key improvements that would be necessary to achieve the vision and goals of the plan. These recommendations serve as the foundation for the concepts developed. The analysis phase seeks to identify complementary transportation and land use strategies that relate to the following topics:

z Cross-Sections z Connectivity z Safety

z Pedestrian Experience z Bicycle Experience z Transit

z Technology and Access Management z Right-of-Way and Utilities

z Land Use

Some of the key recommendations from Phase Two include: East Berry Street Transformation: The Plan included proposed revisions to the existing cross-sections of East Berry Street. The proposed cross-sections were developed specifically to increase travel choice, improve safety, and create an inviting condition that supports a walkable development pattern. Improved Safety: This plan includes a multitude of safety recommendations for East Berry Street to create a safer experience for all modes, ages, and abilities. The proposed improvements include corridor-wide safety countermeasures such as implementing a 35 MPH speed along the entirety of the roadway, as well as spot improvements to increase safety such as roundabouts and enhanced crosswalks. Enhanced Connectivity: Recommendations are included that focus on opportunities to enhance both vehicular and multimodal connections. A key finding includes improving east-west connectivity options as there is an identified need to distribute trips across a greater network resulting in shorter trips, reduced travel times, and reduced reliance on East Berry Street. A second connectivity recommendation is the identification of Westshore Way, an alignment near Lake Arlington that would provide a connection between IH-20 and Spur 303 that would allow local trips to circulate without Loop 820. In addition, this roadway would serve as a trail amenity and compliment future development along the lake. Land Use Concepts: This study identifies catalytic sites where redevelopment could occur to maximize economic impact through an analysis of the area’s susceptibility to change. These locations were then evaluated and refined through public and stakeholder input gathered at the Solutions Workshop.

Executive Summary | 7

Phase Three: Concepts and Recommendations provides two categories of design concept illustrations: z Street Design Concepts z Development Design Concepts The two major focus areas for which concept plans were developed are: z Cobb Park/Riverside Transit/Trail Oriented Development z Lake Arlington Additional focus areas included: z Renaissance Square Retail Center z Neighborhood nodes at:

z East Berry Street & Edgewood Park z Miller Avenue and Eastland Street z Village Creek Road and Eastland Street

In addition to the Development Design Concepts, several Street Design Concepts are presented along key segments of East Berry to illustrate the vision for the future of the Corridor. Those segments selected include: z IH-35W Northbound Frontage Road to Mississippi Avenue

z Old Mansfield Road to Cobb Park Drive z East Berry Street & US-287 Green Ribbon z Miller Avenue to Edgewood Terrace z Business Access and Transit Lane (BAT) & Bus Pads

In support of the concepts presented, the Zoning Framework and Catalyst Site Economic Strategies lay the foundation for realizing the vision, illustrated by the concepts. A Zoning Framework in the form of Form-Based Code is recommended to complement the evolving corridor context by calibrating the development regulations to locations that have the highest potential for walkable mixed- use redevelopment.

8 | East Berry Corridor Study

Catalyst Site Economic Strategies present and consider economic strategies designed to support the attraction of private investment in three sample activity nodes/place types along the East Berry corridor. The strategies contemplated range from public realm strategies and policies to public policy considerations. Successful implementation of this plan will require policy changes, administrative resources, and the utilization of various funding mechanisms like grants, tax-increment financing, and public/private partnerships to achieve the vision. Phase Four: Action Plan of the East Berry Corridor Plan establishes a logical, realistic, framework for how the corridor can transform and how (re)development of the remaining area can occur over time. The Action Plan seeks to integrate, preserve, and enhance existing assets and transform the corridor into an active, amenity-rich, transit-forward neighborhood. Each goal set forth in this document has corresponding strategies and actions necessary to achieve the goal. The following strategies are utilized to achieve the goals and vision for the future of the corridor: 1. Enhance East-West connectivity throughout the corridor to distribute trips across a greater network 2. Ensure pedestrian connectivity is safe, continuous, and accessible for all ages and abilities to access residential and non-residential destinations throughout the corridor

3. Implement corridor-wide and site-specific improvements to enhance safety 4. Increase connectivity of the roadway network in recommended development areas

5. Utilize access management strategies along East Berry Street to improve safety and align the vision for future land uses 6. Expand the trails network to eliminate gaps and facilitate multimodal connections to destinations throughout the corridor 7. Expand bicycle facilities and related amenities to enhance multimodal connectivity throughout the corridor 8. Encourage transit usage by improving the user experience and eliminating barriers to utilization 9. Acquire the necessary right-of-way for roadway reconstruction 10.Integrate smart corridor technology and continue to upgrade utilities 11.Implement projects and policies that seek to enhance the natural environment 12.Utilize economic development policies and tools to strengthen the tax base and encourage economic mobility throughout the corridor

Executive Summary | 9

10 | East Berry Corridor Study 01 Introduction

PROJECT OVERVIEW East Berry Street is an east-west thoroughfare located in southeast Fort Worth. A six-mile segment of East Berry Street from IH-35W to Lake Arlington is the focus of this study. The study objective is to identify an integrated transportation, land use, economic development, and technology strategy that results in improved walkability, enhanced safety, additional travel choices, and a development pattern that supports the corridor vision and local community needs. The study will help advance design and construction activities funded in the 2022 Bond program; and prepare project for implementation in future bond cycles. The study process includes:

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Outlining the steps required to realize the agreed upon vision including a recommended form-based zoning code, supporting policies and key investments. Communicating the recommended land development strategy, transportation infrastructure needs, traffic operation improvements, transit service additions, and multimodal connections. PREFERRED LAND USE CONCEPTS & TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS

VISIONING Listening to stakeholders, residents, and businesses through a robust engagement process combined with technical considerations and performance expectations.

IDENTIFICATION AND TESTING ALTERNATIVES Identifying land development concepts and transportation enhancements that support corridor objectives and evaluating appropriateness.

Introduction | 11

WHY EAST BERRY STREET? The first outcome of the East Berry Corridor Study process was the Foundation Report (see Appendix D), which documented the existing conditions, key challenges, and opportunities affecting mobility in this corridor. As documented in that report, several major characteristics make this area of Fort Worth a prime candidate for change and increased opportunity. The purpose of this study is to develop action items, concepts, and policies that will transform the corridor into a smart, walkable, and safe corridor for people of all ages and abilities to want to live and visit. A focal point of this study is to increase the sense of place along the corridor. The street serves a prominent thoroughfare for the region and should be treated as such. East Berry Street and its residents deserve investment and this plan acts as an initial step in creating a world-class smart corridor. VICKERY BLVD ROSEDALE ST

Figure 1. Study Area Boundary

BERRY ST

820

35W

TEXAS US 287

± 0

0.5

12 | East Berry Corridor Study

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS A successful corridor planning process must also consider:

SAFETY It’s understood that walking, biking, and driving through portions of the corridor can be dangerous. Recommended changes should be evaluated for their ability to contribute to improved safety conditions throughout the corridor.

TRAFFIC OPERATIONS Corridor conditions should be improved in ways to maintain adequate traffic flow.

MARKET FEASIBILITY Visioning is an important step to land planning. It’s also important to consider development concepts that are realistic and market supportive. Market feasibility assessments ensure that recommended land uses, densities, and mixtures of uses fall within parameters that are locally viable.

SMART STREETS Implementing smart street

EQUITY Ways to ensure voices often missing in a planning process are included and avoiding disproportionate impacts while making corridor additions that improve access to opportunity and quality of life.

SENSE OF PLACE We should aspire to create places that add lasting value. Future additions to the corridor should be evaluated against their ability to create a more walkable, safe, and vibrant corridor.

strategies contribute to multiple valuable outcomes for communites including improved economics, environment, health, safety, and social equity.

Introduction | 13

KEY DESTINATIONS Cobb Park

Cobb Park is a 224.8 acre park located near the west side of the East Berry Street study area. This park offers many amenities to the community including recreation areas, public grills, benches, and shelters. Cobb Park also includes a trail that connects to the citywide Trinity Trails network. Sierra Vista Transfer Center The Sierra Vista Bus Transfer Station is located at the intersection of Berry Street and Riverside Drive, in Fort Worth. The Sierra Vista Transit Plaza sits within the Berry/ Riverside Urban Village and acts as primary bus stop for residents in the study area. Renaissance Square Renaissance Square is a multi-purpose development in the heart of the corridor study area that provides amenities such as retail, dining, multifamily housing, and grocery. This area is key destination for economic development in the region. East Berry Public Library The East Berry Public Library is a valuable community center for residents in the study area. The library connects people to information and people to people. Additionally, the library is one of the few places in the corridor study area that provides public access to internet. Lake Arlington The west shore of Lake Arlington is a top priority location for quality open space as well as potential for various future lake shore developments and amenities for the East Berry community.

14 | East Berry Corridor Study

INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS

CONNECT TO PARKS AND TRAILS

PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

INCREASE SAFETY

Safety in the East Berry Street study area has become an increasing concern for the City and residents. This corridor examines vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit safety, and strives to develop recommendations that create an area where people enjoy spending their time.

The East Berry Street study area is home to thousands of residents deserving of an increase in economic opportunities near their homes. The development of Renaissance Square has been a success for the region and this plan explores ways to build upon that success and expand to more areas.

Trails are welcoming public spaces for everyone to get outside and be active. While, Cobb Park is currently the only location in the study where trails are present, this corridor study evaluates how to connect the trails to allow for safe pedestrian and bicycle travel on and around East Berry Street, including Lake Arlington.

Introduction | 15

PLANNING PROCESS Phase One: Vision, Goals, and Assessment (February 2023 – May 2023) Began with collecting data on the current conditions regarding transportation, economic development, land use, and zoning and involved the initial phase of public engagement. Phase Two: Analysis (May 2023 – September 2023) Evaluated mobility operations, land use suitability, and potential sites for redevelopment or new development within the East Berry Street study area. Phase Three: Concepts and Recommendations (October 2023 – November 2023) Developed concepts for envisioning the future of East Berry Street and the developments that surround the corridor. The Solution’s Workshop public involvement opportunity occurred during this time as well. Phase Four: Action Plan (November 2023 – April 2024) Provides a form-based code zoning framework to implement the vision for the corridor and mixed-use nodes. This phase also includes the identification of projects by priority for implementation. ADVISORY COMMITTEE Advisory Committee Meeting

The Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) consists of at-large members representing various aspects of the community, including the local pastor network, non-profits, Tarrant County representation, small business enterprises, and Chamber of Commerce. The SAC helps facilitate ideas, develop goals and objectives, and confirm actions items. The SAC also assists with public outreach and act as ambassadors for the implementation of the recommendations developed in this plan.

16 | East Berry Corridor Study

PROJECT TIMELINE

MAY 2024

MAY 2025

Introduction | 17

02 Vision & Goals

VISION & GOALS The Vision & Goals chapter of the East Berry Corridor Study serves as the foundational element on which the plan’s recommended action items and codes are based. Because they provide specific and actionable direction, vision statements are essential to developing a successful corridor study. The vision statement and goals were created with the guidance of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to understand the importance of East Berry Street to the community. VISION “The future of East Berry Street will be a safe, equitable, inclusive, and thriving corridor that connects the diverse community and serves as a catalyst for community building that supports economic development, investments in technology, and shared prosperity.”

GOALS

1. SAFETY Create a safe environment along the corridor that encourages people to walk and bicycle.

4. BELONGING Create a welcoming sense of place representative of the community through public spaces, public art, and access to amenities.

Vision & Goals | 19

03 Public

Engagement

INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT A public involvement plan guided the engagement and stakeholder input during the corridor study process. It involved a combination of in-person and online activities. Efforts were made to ensure traditionally under-represented voices were heard, and to maintain public access to the planning process throughout the study. This chapter of the East Berry Corridor Study summarizes the public engagement efforts.

SOLUTIONS WORKSHOP

OPEN HOUSES

INTERACTIVE MAP

SURVEYS

Public Engagement | 21

Open House #1

IN-PERSON EVENTS Open House #1

One method used to engage the public in the planning process was through in-person public events. The first major public event for the East Berry Corridor Study, Open House #1, helped to round out the existing conditions phase of the study in May 2023. The open house was a come-and-go event featuring boards related to the initial findings pertaining to traffic, active transportation, land use, housing, amenities, safety, and more. This open house was designed to elevate the importance of this study in the minds of the community leaders and public, increase awareness, and gather valuable information. 38 community members and 15 staff members attended the open house. Solutions Workshop and Open House #2 The East Berry Solutions Workshop and Open House #2 was the second major in- person public event held for this study conducted in September 2023. This charrette- style workshop focused on having in-depth focus group conversation with community members and stakeholders and developing visuals of what the corridor and catalytic sites could look like. This event occurred over a 3-day period ending with an open house and presentation to display the results and obtain additional community feedback. 22 community members took part in the focus group discussion, and 21 attended the open house held at the East Berry Public Library. Open House #3 The third and final in-person public engagement event was held in April 2024. This was a come-and-go event for the community to provide feedback on recommendations regarding improvements to enhance safety and comfort for all users, as well as the proposed form-based code zoning changes. Post cards were sent to property owners within a 300-foot buffer of the areas affected by the proposed zoning changes to give people an opportunity to learn about the zoning and benefits that it may allow. This event was held over two days with an attendance of 72 residents and business owners.

Open House #2

22 | East Berry Corridor Study

BUNCHE PARK

ONLINE ENGAGEMENT Interactive Map

EDGEWOOD PARK 66 INTERACTIVE MAP COMMENTS

COBB PARK

Another option for residents to provide input on East Berry Street was through an online interactive map activity. This engagement tool gave users the ability to place a point or line on a map with six comment types available to help organize the information, such as “Ideas or Suggestions” and “Connection Needed.” Residents also had the ability to mark an up or down vote on other participant’s ideas to indicate agreement or disagreement. Survey The survey collected information on resident’s vision for East Berry Street, demographics, commuting patterns, mode preferences, concerns, and future project priorities. The survey itself was comprised of 22 questions. In addition to being available on the project website, the survey was printed and distributed at public events and was available in both English and Spanish. In total, 110 surveys were completed. BERRY ST ELLIS PARK MORNINGSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL PARK ECHO LAKE PARK

BERRY ST

Comment Types

MARIE F. PATE PARK

WILLIAM MCDONALD PARK

Sidewalk, Bicycle, or Transit (6)

Roadway or Intersection Improvement (18)

Ideas or Suggestions (34)

Spot that Needs Improvement (7)

I love this! (1)

± 0

Figure 2. Interactive Map Results

Bicycle, Sidewalk, or Transit Comment I love this! Ideas or Suggestions Roadway or Intersection Improvement Spot that Needs Improvement

BUNCHE PARK

EDGEWOOD PARK

COBB PARK

MORNINGSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL PARK

BERRY ST

MARIE F. PATE PARK

BERRY ST

WILLIAM MCDONALD PARK

ELLIS PARK

ECHO LAKE PARK

Public Engagement | 23

Open House Input

WHAT DID WE HEAR?

Attendees were provided with comment cards to provide additional feedback. We received 13 comment cards on April 17 and 15 on April 18. Below is a summary of the most common topics. Common Themes, Thoughts, and Concerns from Community Members

Over the course of the planning process, residents and business owners shared their insights and opinions on the what they would like to see in the East Berry area. Community members were engaged through stakeholder workshops, public meetings, and surveys. There was general consistency in overall sentiment and priorities for the corridor. These include: z Improved mobility and transportation facilities z Increased safety and police monitoring z More food options z Preserving the existing community and it’s values

Add more sit-down restaurants

More police presence

Less food marts and more grocery stores

Limit the multi-family housing on the corridor

Safer sidewalks with shade for the summer and better street lighting

More traffic signage for safety reasons and better traffic control

Include public art and monuments

Better upkeep of parks and sidewalks

Plant more trees

24 | East Berry Corridor Study Round 3 Summary

East Berry Corridor Design & Planning Study | 6

WALMART FOUNDATION/UPLIFT ENGAGEMENT During the East Berry Corridor Planning Study, a wide array of partners and stakeholders were involved including the Uplift Mighty Academy, Walmart Super Center, William M. McDonald YMCA, Renaissance Heights Foundation and the ACH children and Family Services. Topics involving the safety of youth going to and from school, congestion, and how area stakeholders could engage with the community needs were discussed. Stakeholders began holing meetings to explore potential solutions. The initial solutions proposed sought to address a challenge around less than preferable pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns to and from the area Walmart. The City of Fort Worth study team facilitated a series of meetings with the stakeholders who were committed to finding workable solutions. After a bit of back and forth on various proposals, a paradigm shift occurred when an additional partner, Dr. Wayne Cohen, CEO of ACH Children and Family Services, suggested shifting focus to solutions that provide a positive intervention with the potential to offer enrichment for area students and that also could engage the entire community. This recommendation gained support of the other stakeholders leading to a more holistic solution, with more long-term viability. The resulting proposal presented by the YMCA featured three key components: z Providing teen memberships to students of Uplift Mighty; including access to the YMCA facility, sports, post high school readiness, childcare, and programs z Establishing a before and after care for Uplift Mighty students, including transportation z Developing redirection of student/parent traffic patterns to and from the school; away from the Walmart parking lot and store The proposal has gained the support of the East Berry area with many community members volunteering to assist with providing a safe path from school to the YMCA. Additionally, Walmart offered to sponsor memberships through United Way to the local YMCA to encourage students and parents to drop off and pick up students at the YMCA.

Public Engagement | 25

04 Existing

Conditions

INTRODUCTION TO EXISTING CONDITIONS A wide variety of topics are analyzed during the initial stages of the planning process including a review of existing plans and policies, demographics, economic development, zoning, land use, infrastructure, and mobility conditions. This chapter summarizes the results and establishes a foundational understanding of the issues and opportunities for the corridor. This chapter of the East Berry Corridor Study summarizes the findings from the Foundation Report (see Appendix D). The Foundation Report serves as the existing conditions assessment for the East Berry Street Corridor Study. This report was developed by taking a thorough look at the current conditions of East Berry Street and its surroundings in terms of transportation, economic development, zoning and land use, and the natural environment. The Existing Conditions chapter with cover:

LAND USE

PAST PLANS REVIEW DEMOGRAPHICS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ZONING

TRANSPORTATION

UTILITIES & GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Existing Conditions | 27

PAST PLANS REVIEW

Lake Arlington Master Plan - 2011 The Lake Arlington Master Plan was a collaborative project between the City of Arlington and City of Fort Worth focused on protecting and optimizing Lake Arlington as a water source and recreational area. Overall, this plan strives to promote quality development around the lake, encourage walking, biking, and water activities, and maintain safety and natural beauty. One of the major projects presented in the Lake Arlington Master Plan that would impact East Berry Street is the proposed four-lane divided arterial along the west shore of the lake. According to this plan, the first phase of the new connection has been approved for design and construction from East Berry Street to Wilbarger Street. The proposed roadway is meant to provide north- south connectivity to serve undeveloped land and future developments. Along East Berry Street, the Lake Arlington Master Plan proposed an off-street trail. Additionally, an Urban Village from Loop 820 to Cravens Road is proposed with the intent to bring mixed-use development to the area. Urban Villages are small geographic areas zoned for dense, multiple-use development that is transit and pedestrian-friendly.

SECTION 8 Vision Plan

City of Arlington Lake Arlington Master Plan 3498-011 April 2011

169

City of Arlington Lake Arlington Master Plan 3498-011

Berry/Riverside Urban Village Master Plan - 2011 Urban Villages were identified as areas that are ripe for development and have investment potential despite social and economic redevelopment challenges. Items specific to Berry/Riverside include: z Extend the Trinity Trail system z Widen Sycamore Creek bridge with wider sidewalks z Construct a paved pedestrian/bike path

NCTCOG Mobility 2045 - 2018 Mobility 2045 is a metropolitan transportation plan developed by the North Texas Council of Governments that guides the implementation of multimodal transportation improvements, programs, and policies in the Fort Worth-Dallas metropolitan area. This plan outlines the entire regions general goals and recommendations for active transportation, safety, and roadway mobility. This plan also proposes a Rail Transit connection that crosses the western portion of East Berry Street labeled as the Mansfield Line.

S tudy Area

28 | East Berry Corridor Study

City of Fort Worth Race and Culture Task Force - 2018 The City of Fort Worth Race and Culture Task Force document was developed with the purpose of Fort Worth becoming a City that is inclusive, equitable, communal, and compassionate for all residents. This plan outlines transportation related disparities to be addressed in the City including street, sidewalk, lighting, and safety conditions. This document recommends the adoption of an Equity in Transportation Policy which includes a Five-Year Action Plan detailing specific items from addressing transportation related issues.

The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan - 2019 Updated in 2019, the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan provides a vision on creating a revitalized neighborhood area in east Fort Worth. This plan’s boundary area overlaps with the set boundary for the East Berry Street corridor. One of the community-identified goals provided in this plan is to improve transportation and mobility through improved transit service, new and improved sidewalks, and new bike lanes.

City of Fort Worth Active Transportation Plan - 2019 The Fort Worth Active Transportation Plan (ATP) serves as the master plan for all non-motorized mobility in the City including walking, biking, and wheelchair use. This plan defines the priority infrastructure in Fort Worth to enhance the pedestrian and bicycle facilities to provide a safe, comfortable, accessible, and equitable network that connects to the Fort Worth transit network. This plan also includes a policy and procedure framework which provide actionable items for the City to implement to support meeting the goals. The ATP outline multiple priority projects on or near East Berry Street that are relevant to this corridor study including high-priority sidewalk gaps and bicycle projects. East Berry Street is identified as a top 150 street for bicycle facilities. In addition, Berry Street has top 300 sidewalk gaps within the City. Two of the City’s top 20 priority trails are within this corridor, including number 10 ranked Village Creek Trail connecting Cobb Park to the Carter Park neighborhood and number 20, the Lake Arlington Trail connecting Rosedale Street to Berry Street, as well as a high-priority trail project along the west shore of Lake Arlington from Rosedale Street to East Berry Street.

Fort Worth Active Transportation Plan April 2019

Existing Conditions | 29

City of Fort Worth Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan - 2020 The Fort Worth Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan serves as the City’s guide for restoring and maintaining parks, expanding recreational opportunities, and preserving Fort Worth’s natural, historical, and developed resources. There are multiple parks that are relevant to the East Berry Street corridor. Parks found on or near East Berry Street include:

TxDOT Southeast Connector/Loop 820 Project - 2020 The Southeast Connector is a current TxDOT project that will reconstruct and add capacity to IH-20, Loop 820, and US-287 in southeast Tarrant County. The project spans around 16 miles and adds lanes and multiple frontage roads along the expansion. The project also holds a multimodal aspect as the new frontage roads will include shared-use lanes and sidewalks. According to this plan, the proposed design for East Berry Street would be updated to include shared-use paths instead of sidewalk and separated bike lanes. This document also includes updated cross sections for the corridor to go from a four-lane undivided to a five-lane undivided with sidewalk on both side of the street.

35W

City of Fort Worth Park, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan 2020 Update

TEXAS US 287

z Cobb Park z Edgewood Park

z Marie F. Pate Park z William McDonald Park z Bunche Park z Eugene McCray Park at Lake Arlington

820

Park & Recreation Department 4200 South Freeway, Suite 2200 Fort Worth, Texas 76115 Phone: (817) 392 - 5700 FortWorthTexas.gov/Parks

z Ciquio Vasquez Park z Morningside Middle School Park z Ellis Park

City of Fort Worth Master Thoroughfare Plan - 2020 The City’s Master Thoroughfare Plan acts as the right of way preservation and arterial design for all major transportation facilities within the city. The primary focus of this plan is to balance mobility, safety, and opportunity, as well as including an increased emphasis on active transportation compared to previous thoroughfare plans. The Master Thoroughfare Plan is organized by: street type, number of lanes, type of transit, type of median, presence of on-street parking and right-of-way. The primary categorization for thoroughfares in Fort Worth is the Street Type. Rather than categorizing thoroughfares solely on the basis of traffic volumes and speeds, the MTP categorizations are designed to reflect streets’ respective land-use contexts, and a balanced approach to the various transportation modes needing to use each Street Type. East Berry is a neighborhood connector from Riverside Drive to Miller Avenue and a small section east of Village Creek Road. The area of Renaissance Square and Lake Arlington is identified as an Activity Street. East Berry Street is delineated as an Established Thoroughfare meaning the roadway was built with ultimate lane configuration and right-of-way. East Berry Street was recommended to have off-street bicycle facilities, according to this plan.

City of Fort Worth, Texas Master Thoroughfare Plan

Adopted May 3, 2016 2020 Update Adopted November 10, 2020

30 | East Berry Corridor Study

City of Fort Worth Comprehensive Plan - 2022 The City of Fort Worth Comprehensive Plan was adopted in March of 2022 and acts as the City’s guiding document for future growth and development. In relation to the East Berry Street corridor, the Land Use and Transportation sections are the most applicable from this plan. The Comprehensive Plan outlines the current land use and zoning found in Fort Worth, as well as a future land use plan.

2022 COMPREHENSIVEPLAN City of Fort Worth

Fort Worth Economic Development Strategic Plan Update - 2022 As Fort Worth saw accelerated development from the years 2017-2022, the City adopted an update to the Economic Development Strategic Plan to accommodate the growth. The goals of this plan were to find economic factors for the City to focus on moving forward into the future. These factors include economic disruptions and trends accelerated by COVID-19, new opportunities for real estate development and business growth in Fort Worth, and ongoing workforce challenges, including social inequities, further exacerbated by the pandemic. Some economic strategies that could be applied to East Berry Street from this plan include investments in new technologies and infrastructure on the corridor, develop catalyst projects in east and southeast Fort Worth, and transforming sites and corridors into diverse, walkable, mixed-use areas.

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Existing Conditions | 31

Study Area Statistics 25,517 2022 Population

DEMOGRAPHICS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Population and Age Population in the East Berry Street study area increased by approximately 20.4% between 2010 and 2022, representing an increase of 4,300 new residents. Additionally, targeted multimodal investment along the corridor is expected to cause the rate of population growth to increase. Residents living in the study area are, on average, younger when compared to the Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex with a higher likelihood of having children living at home. The graphics on the right side of this page display a summary of the population demographics. Race Approximately 31.6% of residents in the study area identify as black, followed by 24.6% as white. Not noted in the graphic on this page are residents of Hispanic origin, which can identify with any race. It will be important to ensure that development along East Berry Street be culturally relatable, equitable, and conscious of potential for displacement. Education Nearly 40% of residents over age 25 living in the study area have achieved a high school diploma or equivalency degree, representing the most common level of educational attainment. While 12.6% of the corridor’s residents have obtained a degree higher than a high school diploma, notably lower than 45.4% of residents who have achieved a similar level in the Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex.

+20.4% Pop. Change Since 2010

43.1% Household with Children

33.0 Median Age

50.3% Owner Occupied Housing

$79,153 Median Home Value

Study Area Race Demographics

46.3% % of Residents with Hispanic Origin in Study Area

32 | East Berry Corridor Study

Income In 2022, the estimated median household income in the East Berry Street study area was $41,294. The median household incomes in this area is notably lower when compared to the Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex. Improving high-frequency transit along high-activity corridors like East Berry Street can increase residents’ access to various employment, training, and educational resources to increase their chances for upward mobility professionally and financially. Additionally, approximately 18% of the households in the study area earned incomes between $50,000 and $74,999 annually in 2022.

Employment The East Berry Street study area contains an estimated 6,968 jobs. Based on data from ESRI Business Analyst, the largest sector along the corridor is Healthcare and Social Assistance (20.9%), followed by Retail Trade (17.5%) and Other Services (12.6%). As of 2019, approximately 3,161 people traveled into the study area for employment daily and approximately 8,259 of the employed population commuted out. This represents an out-commuting pattern, demonstrating the influence of major regional job centers. The study area had an estimated 110 people who both live and work there.

Figure 3. Median Household Income

Figure 4. Commuting Patterns

Housing As of 2022, there were an estimated 8,777 housing units in the study area. In comparison to the Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex, East Berry Street’s housing stock is older and has a lower median home value. The share of owner-occupied housing units is roughly consistent with the Metroplex but is offset by a slightly higher renter share. There are approximately 2,300 apartment units in the East Berry Street study area, representing a variety of product types and ages. More than 28% of the inventory was completed before 1970. However, approximately 400 units have been completed since 2020. Most of the rental communities along East Berry Street are between 100 and 200 units in size. The study area’s 2022 average was $1,028 per month.

Existing Conditions | 33

Retail There is 1.3 million square feet of retail space along East Berry Street. Most of the newer space was completed during the 2010s, with 35.2% of the total share of retail space built during this decade. The next most active period for retail construction was before 1970s. The 1.3 million square feet of retail space in the study corridor area comprises one-quarter of the total in the influence area. Retail Leakage Retail leakage refers to the difference between the retail expenditures by residents living in a particular area and the retail sales produced by the stores located in the same area. If desired products are not available within that area, consumers will travel to other places or use different methods to obtain those products. Consequently, the dollars spent outside of the area are said to be “leaking.” If a community is a major retail center with a variety of stores it will be “attracting” rather than “leaking” retail sales. The graphic below shows the most recent data on retail sales and consumer expenditures along East Berry Street. The study area had retail export of $78.2 million over the previous year, meaning that the corridor attracts non-residents to fulfill their needs for retail goods and services.

Figure 5. Leakage Analysis

Renaissance Square

34 | East Berry Corridor Study

LAND USE Frontage Character

Existing frontage character along the East Berry Street generally vary between commercial and residential but are all car-oriented with parking in the front and commercial buildings setback from the street. The current building frontage character are broken down into five characteristics along the corridor.

Existing Conditions | 35

Existing Land Use The existing land uses in the study area are primarily residential, commercial, and vacant/green space. The current land use characteristics are broken down within five context zones along the corridor. These context zones allow for a more nuanced approach to understanding the existing and future land uses, opposed to a corridor-wide approach. Context Zone 1: IH-35W to Riverside Drive This section generally includes older commercial development (1960’s and 70’s era) that caters to auto-service or convenience retail activities. Many of these uses are characterized by dated building formats, non-conforming sites as they relate to landscaping and signage, and limited pedestrian amenities along the street. The section between the rail line and Riverside Drive has older industrial and truck storage yards as well as the Sierra Vista transit center. Context Zone 2: Riverside Drive to Mitchell Boulevard This section is home to Cobb Park and most of the undeveloped land found in the study area. It includes scattered commercial land uses through a church, tire shop, and fire station. Additionally, the eastern portion is primarily single- family residential housing. Context Zone 3: Mitchell Boulevard to US-287 This section is mostly residential land uses and is also home to the recently developed (2013) regional retail center of Renaissance Square from along the southern frontage of East Berry Street. Older residential uses (built in the 50’s and 60’s) with driveways directly on the corridor occupy the northern frontage of East Berry Street. Context Zone 4: US-287 to Loop 820 This section is generally residential with smaller commercial uses located at intersections and sporadically along the corridor. This area includes the neighborhoods of Stop Six, South Edgewood, Eastland, Polytechnic Heights, and civic uses as well as multiple churches. Context Zone 5: Loop 820 to Lake Arlington This section has retail-commercial uses along the Loop 820 frontage and older industrial uses fronting the corridor. Home to Eugene McCray Park, this portion of the East Berry Street includes acres of undeveloped land near the lake that could be tailored to further meet community’s needs and serve as a future regional destination.

36 | East Berry Corridor Study

VICKERY BLVD

ROSEDALE ST

± 0

Figure 6. Existing Land Use

0.5

Miles

VICKERY BLVD

Single-Family Residential; Mobile Homes Multifamily Residential Vacant Lots and Open Space Commercial Industrial

Utilities Residential Inventory

ROSEDALE ST

Special Inventory Exempt Property

820

BERRY ST

TEXAS US 287

35W

VICKERY BLVD

ROSEDALE ST

± 0

Figure 7. Future Land Use

0.5

Miles

± 0

Agricultural Rural Suburban Residential

High Density Residential Urban Residential Institutional Neighborhood Commercial General Commercial

Mixed-Use Industrial Growth Center Infrastructure

0.5

Public Park Private Park Water

Single Family Residential Manufactured Housing Low Density Residential Medium Density Residential

Light Industrial Heavy Industrial

Single-Family Residential; Mobile Homes Multifamily Residential Vacant Lots and Open Space Commercial Industrial

Utilities Residential Inventory

820

Special Inventory Exempt Property

BERRY ST

TEXAS US 287

35W

Existing Conditions | 37

VICKERY BLVD The Urban Villages program in the City of Fort Worth was initiated in 2002 when the mayor appointed a task force that identified thirteen urban villages along high-priority commercial boulevards. Two of the original urban villages are in the study area, Riverside/ Berry and Lake Arlington/Berry/Stalcup. Mixed-Use zoning covers approximately 6% of the study area. Despite the presence of the mixed-use zoning, there is no vertical mixed-use development currently within the two urban villages. Figure 8. Existing Zoning and Urban Villages VICKERY BLVD ROSEDALE ST ROSEDALE ST ZONING Existing Zoning in the East Berry Street study area is predominantly Single-Family zoning with Neighborhood Commercial, Mixed- Use, and Planned Development districts at several sections directly on the corridor. 70% of the study area is zoned for housing, 14% for mixed-use and planned development, 10% for commercial, 3% for industrial, and 3% for civic. Urban Villages and Mixed-Use Zoning

BERRY ST

Riverside/Berry Urban Village

820

BERRY ST

TEXAS US 287

35W

± 0

0.5

Miles

Lake Arlington/Berry/Stalcup Urban Village

Agricultural Residential (Single Family, 1/2 Acre+) Residential (Single Family)

Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-Use General Commercial

± 0

Light Industrial Heavy Industrial Planned Development Floodplain

Manufactured Housing Low Density Residential High Density Residential

Urban Residential Community Facility

0.5

38 | East Berry Corridor Study Agricultural Residential (Single Family, 1/2 Acre+) Residential (Single Family)

Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-Use General Commercial

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