Adopted August 12th, 2025
Document Title
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Fort Worth Eastside Transportation Plan Table of Contents
Appendices ...................................................................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................................................ v Consultant Team ............................................................................................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1: Introduction and Background ................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Background ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Plan Purpose .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2: Plan Process .................................................................................................................................. 6 Plan Process ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Project Timeline .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Chapter 3: Previous Planning Efforts.........................................................................................................15 Previous Plans and Studies ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 Advancing East Lancaster (2022) ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 Master Thoroughfare Plan (2020) .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Access Management Plan (2018) ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 City of Fort Worth Subdivision Ordinance (2016).................................................................................................................................. 17 Fort Worth Active Transportation Plan (2019) ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Transportation Engineering Manual (2019).............................................................................................................................................. 18 Mobility Plan 2045 (2022) ........................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Curb Management Regional Planning Guide (2020) .............................................................................................................................. 19 Chapter 4: Plan Engagement .......................................................................................................................20 Plan Engagement ......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Engagement Strategy .................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Public and Stakeholder Engagement ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Solutions Workshop ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Focus Groups.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 31 Stakeholder Interviews ................................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Chapter 5: Existing Conditions ....................................................................................................................37 Existing Conditions...................................................................................................................................................................... 38 Existing Demographics ............................................................................................................................................................... 39 Existing Transportation Conditions ......................................................................................................................................... 43 Existing Network Framework...................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Congested Roadways ................................................................................................................................................................. 47 Active Transportation ................................................................................................................................................................. 50 The Pedestrian Experience .......................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Transit in the Study Area ........................................................................................................................................................... 54
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Existing Transit Service Characteristics..................................................................................................................................................... 56 Route 89 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 58 Safety in the Eastside.................................................................................................................................................................. 61 Crashes Overview.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Land Use, Zoning, and Neighborhood Character ................................................................................................................. 67 Existing Land Use........................................................................................................................................................................................... 67 Future Land Use............................................................................................................................................................................................. 69 Zoning .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 72 Neighborhood Character.............................................................................................................................................................................. 74 Economic Development Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment............................................................................. 78 Employment Overview ................................................................................................................................................................................. 78 Retail Overview.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 80 Office Overview............................................................................................................................................................................................. 82 Potential for Real Estate Redevelopment .............................................................................................................................. 83 Screening Process for Susceptibility to Change ...................................................................................................................................... 83 Housing Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment.......................................................................................................... 86 Demographics and Socioeconomics .......................................................................................................................................................... 86 Housing Market.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 88 Needs Assessment......................................................................................................................................................................................... 90 Environmental Constraints ........................................................................................................................................................ 94 Chapter 6: Growth Factors and Forecasted Conditions ........................................................................97 Growth Scenarios ........................................................................................................................................................................ 98 High Growth Scenario................................................................................................................................................................................. 101 Medium Growth Scenario .......................................................................................................................................................................... 101 Low Growth Scenario ................................................................................................................................................................................. 101 Chapter 7: Alternatives Analysis.............................................................................................................. 103 Alternative Analysis .................................................................................................................................................................. 104 Alternatives Analysis Process ................................................................................................................................................. 104 Route 89 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 105 East Lancaster Avenue................................................................................................................................................................................ 108 Bridge Street & Brentwood Stair Road ................................................................................................................................................... 114 Other Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................................................... 116 Chapter 8: Thoroughfare Planning .......................................................................................................... 124 Thoroughfare Planning ............................................................................................................................................................. 125 Identifying Potential Projects .................................................................................................................................................................... 126 Potential Street Grid Projects.................................................................................................................................................................... 128 Network Extensions and Additions.......................................................................................................................................................... 130 Roadway Enhancements ............................................................................................................................................................................ 137 Potential East Lancaster Improvements and Route 89 Improvements ............................................................................................ 139 Network Evaluation..................................................................................................................................................................................... 142 Chapter 9: Concept Planning .................................................................................................................... 145 Concept Planning....................................................................................................................................................................... 146 Consolidated Concept Plans ................................................................................................................................................... 147
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Concept Plan Areas ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 147 Place Types ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 149 Node Concept Plans.................................................................................................................................................................................... 151 Proforma Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................... 177 Chapter 10: Plan Implementation............................................................................................................ 179 Plan Implementation ................................................................................................................................................................. 180 Implementation Process ............................................................................................................................................................................. 181 Project Prioritization ................................................................................................................................................................................... 181 Capital Improvements Programming ....................................................................................................................................................... 186 Funding and Financing Strategies............................................................................................................................................................. 189 Implementation Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................................... 190 Key Terminology .......................................................................................................................................................................... 191 A PPENDICES
A. Existing Conditions B. Public and Stakeholder Involvement C. Alternatives Analysis D. Identified Roadway Projects E. Travel Demand Model Results F. East Lancaster Avenue Assessment G. Funding and Financing H. Concept Plan I. Form Based Code
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A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
C ITY OF F ORT W ORTH Mayor Council Staff N ORTH C ENTRAL T EXAS C OUNCIL OF G OVERNMENTS T EXAS D EPARTMENT OF T RANSPORTATION T RINITY M ETRO T ARRANT C OUNTY S TAKEHOLDER A DVISORY C OMMITTEE Tarrant County Workforce Solutions Blue Zones
Woodhaven Tax Increment Financing 13 Fort Worth Independent School District East Fort Worth Business Association East Lancaster Public Improvement District # 20 Southeast Fort Worth Inc. Texas Weslyan University Neighborhood Associations of East Fort Worth Social Services Healthy Tarrant County
C ONSULTANT T EAM
WSP USA. Inc. | AECOM | Kimley Horn | K Strategies Group | Livable Plans and Codes
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Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
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I NTRODUCTION The Eastside Transportation Plan is the result of years of advocacy from community leaders and the recognition that east Fort Worth or the Eastside is one of the key reasons the city of Fort Worth is a great place to live. The plan includes a large study area as illustrated in Figure 1 that encompasses major segments of east Fort Worth. The study area serves as the city’s eastern gateway and provides direct access to Downtown and some of the IH-30 corridor’s most popular destinations. This presents a unique opportunity for growth and redevelopment. The plan identifies consensus-based solutions for the study area utilizing a process that was transparent and inclusive that worked together with the community and stakeholders. The following chapters will describe the analyses as well as the outreach undertaken to prepare and complete the Eastside Transportation Plan.
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Figure 1: Eastside Transportation Plan Study Area
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B ACKGROUND
The city of Fort Worth is one of the most livable cities in Texas and a great place to live. The population increased by nearly 200,000 residents from 2010 to 2022 and is expected to reach 1.5 million residents by 2045. The study area encompassing the Eastside has 109,041 residents and has seen less growth than the overall city with an average population increase of approximately one percent since 2010, with few new businesses or housing. Despite the slower growth in the Eastside, the area holds the potential for opportunity rooted in a rich culture that is key in the description of the history of Fort Worth. The study area remains a
vibrant area with attractions like Gateway Park, the Lenora Butler Rolla Museum, several historic neighborhoods, Texas Wesleyan University, and lively local restaurants and locally owned businesses. The vibrancy of the area and its people is widely recognized. Trinity Metro, in partnership with the City of Fort Worth and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) initiated the Advancing East Lancaster Study in 2020 to evaluate the corridor’s potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) that could be leveraged to support high-capacity transit and create options for new housing, retail, and service development. The study primarily focused on East
Lancaster Avenue, but its implications resonated across the entire Eastside. Advancing East Lancaster’s Guiding Principles are depicted in Figure 2 . Recognizing the implications of the Advancing East Lancaster study and the opportunity to enhance mobility, housing, and economic options for Eastside residents, City of Fort Worth determined the need to conduct the Eastside Transportation Plan. East Lancaster Avenue, formerly US 80, was a nationally significant route through most of the 20 th Century serving as the primary connection between Savannah, GA and San Diego, CA via Fort Worth. In the mid-century with the advent of the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike and Interstate Highway System, the corridor’s function has changed. With the removal of tolls from the turnpike, today the road serves as more of a commercial corridor than a thruway for Fort Worth’s near Eastside and an alternate east-west connection.
Figure 2: Guiding Principles from the Advancing East Lancaster Study
• Equitable investment for Eastside residents and businesses that improves quality of life and provides better access to transit, jobs, housing and opportunity, and upward mobility. • Economic development that is inclusive, provides for the community, and leverages transportation investment. • Safe, comfortable, and convenient infrastructure that provides amenities such as lighting and technology , and complete streets that provide mobility options for all users . • Street design that is respectful of the community , pedestrian-oriented, creates a sense of place, and catalyzes investment. • Encourage and support affordable housing and a b usiness incubator space that creates options for aging in place and local business.
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P LAN P URPOSE The purpose of the Eastside Transportation Plan is to improve quality of life for Eastside residents and leverage the community’s position next to Downtown, large concentrations of developable and redevelopable space, and proximity to IH-30 to support high-capacity transit. The existing conditions analysis, public engagement, and coordination with local and regional partner agencies will set the foundation for the plan outcomes by providing an inventory of baseline mobility, economic, and housing system characteristics. The end products of the plan include:
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Chapter 2: Plan Process
Chapter 2: Plan Process
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P LAN P ROCESS
Driven by a robust public engagement process, the Eastside Transportation Plan is an integrated transportation and land use planning study geared towards improving quality of life for Eastside residents. Plan elements include the following:
Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA): an alternative evaluated through the local planning process, adopted as the desired alternative by the appropriate State and/or local agencies and official boards through a public process and identified as the preferred alternative in the NEPA process. — Cornell Law
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Figure 3: Eastside Transportation Plan Process Diagram
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Project Timeline
East Lancaster listed as a priority commercial corridor in the revitalization of Fort Worth's central city. Historic Handley and Oakland Corners receive "Village" designation.
JUNE 2002
P ROJECT T IMELINE
DEC. 2005
Near Eastside added to list of Urban Villages
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NCTCOG submits TIGER grant for the East Lancaster Avenue Complete Streets Project to revitalize the corridor with transit, bicycle and pedestrian, landscaping, connectivity, and economic development enhancements.
OCT. 2017
The Advancing East Lancaster Plan determined East Lancaster Avenue as a priority corridor for development based on high ridership. TOD sites and scenarios were created supportive of high-capacity transit while helping envision future zoning, and City and private investments along the corridor.
DEC. 2021
The City of Fort Worth kicked-off the East Lancaster Corridor Study to determine a preferred alternative cross section for high-capacity transit on East Lancaster Avenue and a concept plan, Form-Based Code and Regulating plan for key locations in the study area.
FEB. 2023
The project rebranded to the Eastside Transportation Plan during the Stakeholder Advisory Meeting #2.
APRIL 2023
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Public Open House #1 •
MAY 2023
• Universe of alternatives, screened alternatives • Proposed transit route alternatives • Proposed sidewalks improvements for Woodhaven and Randol Mill
Project goals and previous plans Plan purpose and timeline Existing conditions and trends Alternatives analysis process
• • •
MAR- AUG. 2023
The Plan Survey was administered electronically and in-person survey administered in the study area to gather input on desired transportation and land use improvements.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments awarded a $20 million RAISE grant to redevelop the East Lancaster Avenue corridor.
JUNE 2023
September 2023 – Woodhaven and Randol Mill Sidewalk Public Open House
SEPT. 2023
Purpose of improvements Public engagement story Proposed enhancements
Proposed cross-sections Interactive public feedback
• • •
• •
Selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) Locally preferred alternative cross sections were identified for East Lancaster Avenue, Bridge Street, and Brentwood Stair. LPA transit route and mode identified for Route 89.
OCT. 2023
Public Open House #2 • Locally preferred alternative cross section for East Lancaster Avenue, Bridge Street, and Brentwood Stair Road • LPA Transit Mode for Route 89 • LPA Transit Route for Route 89 • Survey metrics and results
OCT. 2023
Adoption of Locally Preferred Alternative The Fort Worth City Council adopted the locally preferred alternative (LPA) cross-sections for East Lancaster Avenue, Bridge Street, and Brentwood Stair Road, and the LPA transit mode for Route 89 on January 23, 2024 .
JAN. 2024
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Stakeholder Interviews Interviews were conducted with local developers, City of Fort Worth Planning and Economic Development Staff, and Community Groups.
FEB.- APRIL 2024
Focus Groups • Mobility •
FEB.- MAR. 2024
Economic Development and Housing Economic Development and Housing
•
Texas Wesleyan University
•
Solutions Workshop Three-day workshop focusing on mobility, revitalization, and Strategic Development. • Concept Plan Development, Framework, and Sketches • Focus Groups and Stakeholder Interviews • Public Open House
MAR. 2024
AUG.- SEPT. 2024
Public Open House #3
NOV. 2024
Final Plan Adoption
AUG. 2025
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Goals and Objectives Goals and objectives for the Eastside Transportation Plan (Figure 4) are based on the guiding principles developed for the Advancing East Lancaster Project and were refined by the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), City staff, and public engagement throughout this study. The plan goals and objectives steer and support development of the study while reflecting the aspirations and ideologies of the City of Fort Worth and study area neighborhoods, businesses, and residents alike. Though goals are philosophical, they create a vision of how the community may look and function in the future through implementing objectives. Plan objectives are action-oriented and guide development to achieve the project goals; and must be considered SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. The anticipated outcomes of achieving the goals and objectives are improved mobility and quality of life.
Figure 4: Eastside Goals Centered Around Mobility
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Goal 1: Safety. Support projects and policies to reduce crash fatalities and serious injuries, improve overall comfort levels while traveling within the study area, and reduce bike and pedestrian crashes. Objectives: Reduce crash fatalities and serious injuries by identifying high crash hot spot segments/intersections and common safety themes. Uncover underlying travel hazards using public input to improve study area travel comfort levels. Identify deficiencies in illumination, striping, signage, and other elements to reduce bike and pedestrian crashes. Identify mitigation strategies to address hazardous roadway conditions. Goal 2: Connectivity. Improve mobility throughout the study area by enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and roadway connectivity and interoperability, and eliminating mobility barriers. Objectives: Improve multimodal connectivity and interoperability through development of street grid enhancements. Identify mobility barriers to improve connectivity and ease of use of the transportation system. Leverage existing transit corridors, infrastructure, and activity centers to develop new transit routes.
Goal 3: Place. Encourage development that supports housing choice, economic development, and transportation options.
Objectives:
Conduct a housing market analysis to identify missing housing typologies and price points and engage the public to determine the types of housing they want to see in their community. Stimulate economic development opportunities through coordination with local residents and developers and implementation of sustainable land use policies. Leverage public input and existing travel trends to identify affordable, comfortable, and reliable transportation options for the study area. Strengthen study area sense of place by identifying potential catalyst sites to spur development.
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Goal 4: Equity. Support projects, policies, and programs to promote upward mobility, freedom of mobility, inclusion, and belonging. Objectives: Support projects, policies, and programs that promote upward mobility, freedom of mobility, inclusion and belonging. Facilitate a robust public input process to ensure the needs of all stakeholder groups are considered in the development of recommended projects and policies. Ensure equitable distribution of plan impacts and benefits by considering the location and disposition of historically marginalized communities in engagement efforts. Goal 5: Environment. Encourage projects and policies that support public health, access to public outdoor space, and human happiness. Objectives: Consider parks, open space, and other natural amenities in the development of recommended projects and policies. Encourage development of amenities that facilitate physical activity and support public health. Support installation of aesthetic elements to calm traffic, discourage crime, improve the development framework, and enhance the quality of life of study area residents. Promote access to public outdoor space by eliminating potential barriers Goal 6: Accountability. Support Transportation policies and projects to maintain state of good repair, foster good stewardship of financial and environmental resources and costs, and strengthen long-term revenues and the tax base. Objectives: Prioritize system maintenance and rehabilitation to mitigate potential safety issues and improve mobility system performance. Foster good stewardship of financial and environmental resources and costs. Ensure state and local investments balance the mobility and land use needs of Eastside residents. Leverage public-private-partnerships for the short- and long-term maintenance and financing of land use and transportation projects. Support transportation and land use projects that are future-proof and can be leveraged to spur additional development.
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Chapter 3: Previous Planning Efforts
Chapter 3: Previous Planning Efforts
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P REVIOUS P LANS AND S TUDIES
Previous studies and plans were reviewed to leverage knowledge gathered about the study area. A full list and summary of all plans reviewed for this study is available in the Appendices.
A DVANCING E AST L ANCASTER (2022)
Advancing East Lancaster is one of many studies conducted over the years to improve transportation and land use conditions along East Lancaster Avenue. The transit-oriented development (TOD) plan includes improving accessibility, guiding economic growth, accommodating a growing population, encouraging mixed-use development, repurposing underutilized land, and promoting multi- modal integration. The study evaluated 13 potential high-capacity transit station locations, emphasizing efficient spacing and travel time reduction
within a half-mile radius of major intersections. The high-capacity transit is expected to attract transit- oriented development, enhancing opportunities and accessibility for current residents, and connecting to parks, trails, and recreational destinations.
M ASTER T HOROUGHFARE P LAN (2020)
The Master Thoroughfare Plan (MTP) is a long-range plan for Fort Worth's major transportation facilities, aiming to provide a complete and connected, context-sensitive transportation system for all users. The MTP focuses on three goals: mobility, safety, and opportunity. The plan is grounded in a "Complete Streets" philosophy, which supports all transportation users, includes appropriately sized roads, and reflects the surrounding context of each transportation facility. It emphasizes active transportation and focuses on safety and comfort by narrowing street widths, buffering active transportation elements from automobile traffic, and providing space for streetscape elements.
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A CCESS M ANAGEMENT P LAN (2018)
The City of Fort Worth’s 2018 Access Management Policy provides guidelines for planning, regulating, and designing access between roadways and land development while ensuring the safe and efficient movement of regional traffic. Access management programs can lead to significant benefits such as a reduction in crashes, an increase in roadway capacity, and a reduction in travel time and delay. Based on the different street types defined in the Master Thoroughfare Plan, the Access Management Policy regulates roadway design features such as spacing requirements for roadways, intersections, and interchanges, design criteria for right-, left- and U- turns on auxiliary roads, and etc. It emphasizes the importance of flexibility in implementing access spacing requirements to balance access management goals with the limitations of a development site.
C ITY OF F ORT W ORTH S UBDIVISION O RDINANCE (2016)
The subdivision ordinance outlines the regulations and requirements for plats, plans, and proposed public improvements within the city. As regulatory document, it ensures planned developments, plats, or other projects are in compliance and consistent with existing city plans and policies, such as the master thoroughfare plan, zoning ordinances, comprehensive plan, and other regulating documents. It also outlines the process developers have to follow for plat and plan approval. The regulations provided in the ordinance will ensure thoroughfare plan amendments, conceptual site plans, and other plan recommendations conform to existing city standards.
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F ORT W ORTH A CTIVE T RANSPORTATION P LAN (2019)
The Fort Worth Active Transportation Plan (ATP) is a regionally coordinated and locally connected safe and accessible bicycle and pedestrian system that promotes healthy lifestyle, economic development, community awareness, and alternative modes of transportation. It is an update to the 2010 Bike Fort Worth Plan and the 2014 Walk Fort Worth Plan, which was the City's first ever citywide trails master plan. The plan focuses on active transportation priorities and a comprehensive framework for implementation.
T RANSPORTATION E NGINEERING M ANUAL (2019)
The City of Fort Worth’s Transportation Engineering Manual provides design guidelines for transportation infrastructure, aiming to ensure best practices in planning and designing the city’s road network. The manual focuses on different aspects of street design, including thoroughfare framework, street design components, bicycle facilities, pedestrian zones, intersection design, midblock crossings, access control and off-street parking, and transit accommodations. While highlighting the engineering details of each component of road network design, it also ensures conformity with other adopted City documents, such as the Active Transportation Plan, Master Thoroughfare Plan, and Complete Street policy.
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M OBILITY P LAN 2045 (2022)
The North Central Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) Mobility 2045 is a comprehensive long-term transportation plan for the Dallas- Fort Worth Metropolitan Planning Area designed to guide the development of the region's multimodal transportation system to accommodate the anticipated population growth and employment increases in North Central Texas, which is expected to grow by 40 percent in population and 42 percent in employment between 2023 and 2045. Within the study area, the mobility plan includes managed lanes along IH-30, increasing capacity on IH-820, and road widening segments of Randol Mill Road and Cooks Lane from 2 to 4 lanes.
C URB M ANAGEMENT R EGIONAL P LANNING G UIDE (2020)
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) developed a Curb Management Regional Planning Guide to assist communities in designing and maintaining proper curbs with varied tools and treatments such as signage, striping, infrastructure changes, and geofencing. Curb management involves defining the use, designation, and organization of curb space, which has become increasingly important due to changing travel patterns and the rise of shared mobility options. Dedicated space for alternative modes of transportation, such as bicycles, pedestrians, and public transit, is needed to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The guide is essential to planning and programming curb space in the Eastside Transportation Planning study area.
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Chapter 4: Plan Engagement
Chapter 4: Plan Engagement
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P LAN E NGAGEMENT
E NGAGEMENT S TRATEGY
The plan’s engagement strategy was designed to engage the public and stakeholders in a transparent fashion using methods that best fit their needs. Strategies included in-person and virtual outreach, as well as targeted and multi-lingual grassroots strategies (see Figure 5). The outcome of the engagement process was to involve the community surrounding the study area in the selection of a locally preferred alternative cross-sections for East Lancaster Avenue, Brentwood Stair Road, and Bridge Street and development of supportive economic development and land use policies. The process was transparent, inclusive, and sets the project up for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. An approach similar to a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study was used to engage the community in identifying social, political, and environmental items that can be further analyzed during the NEPA process.
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Figure 5: Project Engagement Strategy
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P UBLIC AND S TAKEHOLDER E NGAGEMENT
Engagement occurred throughout the entirety of the plan development process and followed three phases that aligned to the plan development process as described in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Plan Engagement Phases
The following sections describe the engagement opportunities as well as findings from public and stakeholder engagement.
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Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)
A Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) was established that is representative of the study area population. The SAC provided guidance and collaboration with the City of Fort Worth through interactive workshops throughout the planning process. The SAC represents a variety of stakeholder groups to make sure that the diversity of the community and interests are represented and includes community and educational leaders, public improvement district board members, business owners, industry professionals, advocacy representatives , and trade organizations. The following individuals were identified as members of the SAC.
Brenda Patton, Blue Zones Brian Builta, Texas Wesleyan University
Jeffrey Neal, NCTCOG
Mohammad Al Hweil, TxDOT Renee Parker, Tarrant County Workforce Solutions
Stacy Marshall, Southeast Fort Worth, Inc.
Karla Windsor, NCTCOG
Susan Young, Tarrant County
Chad Edwards, Trinity Metro
Linda Fulmer, Healthy Tarrant County
Ricardo Gonzalez, TxDOT Wanda Conlin, East Fort Worth Business Association
Daniel Haase, Community Advocate
Michael Shedd, East Lancaster PID #20 Mike Naughton, Fort Worth ISD
Roderick Miles, Tarrant County
Flora Brewer, Social Services Rep
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Meeting People Where They Are
Targeted engagement was used to ensure vulnerable/disadvantage populations were represented and included in public involvement efforts. Although most study area residents fall into vulnerable population categories, the area is not homogenous and targeted initiatives, such as surveying and speaking to stakeholders at the Southside Community Center Fish Fry, Buddhist Temple, The Potter’s House Back to School Event were used to reach low-income, elderly, non-English speaking and/or other disadvantaged groups.
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Public Open Houses Three rounds of public open houses (POHs) were held to gather stakeholder input during the Initiation, Visioning, and Final Evaluation phases of the project. Each round included three separate POHs for a total of nine meetings. POH boards and displays were made available for public comment on the project website for at least two weeks following each round of POH.
Welcome and Introduction Draft Goals and Objectives
• • • • •
1 May 23-25, 2023
Study Area Visioning
Existing and Forecasted Conditions
Alternatives Analysis Process
Final Goals and Objectives Survey Metrics and Results Forecasted Growth Scenario Locally Preferred Alternatives
• • • •
2 October 17- 19, 2023
Concept Plans
•
3 October 21- 24, 2024
• Locally Preferred Alternatives Cross-Sections • Thoroughfare Amendments • Zoning Framework
The third round of POH were held in collaboration with the Transportation Fair for the City’s Moving a Million (M1M) Master Transportation Plan to gather feedback on proposed transportation and land use improvements. A targeted POH for the Randol Mill/Woodhaven Sidewalk project was held in September 2023 to gather input on the need for sidewalks and pedestrian safety infrastructure along Randol Mill Road and Woodhaven Boulevard in the Woodhaven area. All POH materials were archived on the website for review.
More information about the POHs can be found in the Appendix.
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Digital/Virtual Engagement
Project Website The project website provides the public with access to information about the schedule, public participation opportunities, informational materials (meeting materials, maps, presentations, etc.), project overviews, surveys, and a project dashboard. Stakeholders can record needs and issues regarding transportation, housing, and economic development. They can also provide feedback on project recommendations and alternatives and leave comments through the virtual POH portions of the website.
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Getting out in the Neighborhood: Boots on the Ground Engagement The Eastside is a diverse area requiring a multitude of ways to engage the community. During the planning process, a “boots on the ground” engagement strategy was used to get into neighborhoods, providing the opportunity to provide plan information and gather feedback from community members that may miss information, notices, event invitations, and other engagement opportunities. To better gather feedback, a survey was conducted from May 23 to August 28, 2023, to assess the characteristics and opinions regarding transportation in the study area. In addition to being available on the project website, surveys for the Eastside Transportation Plan were collected in person at locations throughout the study area through tabling events and pop-up surveying at study area grocery stores, coffee shops, boy’s and girl’s clubs, retail venues, Trinity Metro buses and bus stations, food pantries, restaurants, gas stations, apartment complexes, and other venues. The number of survey respondents typically spiked during “boots on the ground” events, such the Juneteenth Open Mic Night at the Dock and “Survey Day”, where the project team engaged the community at local grocery stores, bus stops, gas stations, restaurants, and other locations throughout the study area. The Team engaged the residents at diaper giveaways and back-to-school events at the Potter’s House, local food pantries, and a fish fry at the Southside Community Center.
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What We are Hearing from the Community Figure 7 summarizes the feedback received during the survey. A full summary of project survey results is available in the Appendix.
Figure 7: Summary of Survey Results
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S OLUTIONS W ORKSHOP
Community stakeholders were invited to participate in a three-day intensive and interactive series of meetings, focus groups, interviews, and sketch sessions to develop an overall vision for identified corridors and potential catalyst sites within the study area. The workshop included discussions on safe streets, multimodal roadways, land use scenarios (housing, employment, economic development, constraints), catalyst sites, a form-based code framework, and development of concept plans for nine strategically located nodes. Solutions workshop attendees represented a cross section of interested stakeholders, including elected officials, City of Fort Worth, Trinity Metro, TxDOT, and NCTCOG staff, East Lancaster Avenue Public Improvement District members, as well as representatives from local community and neighborhood groups. Activities during the workshop include the following.
Site Tour
Stakeholder Interviews
Focus Groups
Community Open House
Open Studio and Community Work Session
Pin-up Session
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F OCUS G ROUPS
City staff participated in a focus group including representatives from the City’s Economic Development, Development Services, Public Works, and Planning and Development (Fort Worth Lab) departments. Special emphasis is placed on revitalization, workforce development, and small business support. This provided a valuable cross section of the city’s active approaches to development incentives, enhancing training and education, and the needs of the broader community. The conversation centered around strategies for economic development, growing market sectors, and opportunities for urban villages. Key Takeaways Need creative approach to generating smaller deals & infill development (under $3M). Programs for small businesses, such as 10-year tax abatements for historic building renovations and/or main street programs, could spur development. The City of Fort Worth has several catalytic projects that were shared with the consultant staff. Texas Wesleyan would be a fitting partner and pilot program for development.
Economic & Housing Development Focus Group
The Economic & Housing Development Focus Group included a mix of representatives, including City staff, regional agencies, non-profit organizations, and both market rate and affordable housing developers.
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Key Takeaways
Multi-family has a bad reputation in the area and there is a lack of awareness of the types of multifamily housing being built elsewhere today. It was noted that higher quality residential requires higher rents, and the result is less affordable housing. Generally, incentives will be needed to get the first new development under way and to prove its viability. However, there is some development activity with city-owned lots starting to appreciate in price. Texas A&M University is opening a new campus near Downtown, which may include additional economic demand.
Mobility Focus Group
The Mobility Focus Group included community stakeholders and representatives from the City of Fort Worth, Trinity Metro, NCTCOG, and representatives of study area community groups. The photo below depicts the East Lancaster Avenue PID and other stakeholders also working on the corridor cross section.
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FORT WORTH EASTSIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
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