A landmark building in Fort Worth’s cultural arts district could soon undergo $30 million in renovations and repairs.
Fort Worth City Council members on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve a task force’s recommendation to issue a request for proposals to redevelop the city’s 70-year-old Community Arts Center at 1300 Gendy St. in the heart of downtown.
While the request for proposals calls for nearly $30 million in repairs, developers will mostly be given the flexibility to reimagine the building as they choose. However, the task force has encouraged developers to incorporate elements of the building’s history and architecture into their development plans for the site.
“A lot of folks would be happy if we could preserve that building, and that might be a good thing to do,” said Fernando Costa, assistant city manager for Fort Worth, ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, according to the Fort Worth Report.
“On the other hand, it has to be economically feasible, and we know that the task of repairing the existing building, not even to improve it … [is] in the ballpark of $30 million. And we don’t want to ask the taxpayers to spend that kind of money unless we know we’re going to get a good return on it,” he said.
While existing tenants and residents might find the renovations burdensome, Costa believes giving the city time to explore all design proposals is important.
“They may not see this redevelopment idea as a gift, but who knows what will emerge from this process?” he said, per FWR.
“Worst case is: We reject all proposals and stick to what we have. We don’t lose anything in the process. But if we were not to pursue this approach … we’ve lost a big opportunity,” Costa explained.
Some residents and community members remain concerned about the future of the building.
“You won’t find our works displayed in exhibitions in these great museums… yet. To get to that level, artists, including young, emerging and mid-career, need spaces to share their work in person and with the public,” said artist Ariel Davis, who had her first show at the community arts center. “Taking away this important show space is like taking out a rung in a ladder, making it even more difficult to find pathways into museum spaces.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker underscored the historical importance of the building and the limited impact renovations would have on the history and function of the facility.
Parker said she would ensure before city council members vote on a new design proposal that whatever project is approved maintains the facility’s theater and community art space.
“This is just a starting point,” she said, according to FWR. “But as your mayor, I will not approve any [request for proposal] that doesn’t maintain as a priority and a requirement … that [the] theater is maintained and you have a community art space. It’s imperative to me.”
