Fort Worth officially reaffirmed its commitment to a National Juneteenth Museum.
On Tuesday, the Fort Worth City Council voted unanimously to lease a section of city property to the museum for 40 years, offering the land at a rate of $1 per year. The city-owned land where the Southside Community Center currently stands will be repurposed for the museum’s new location.
“I think it’s very important to the City of Fort Worth and even to the nation that we continue to tell our story, our history,” Council Member Chris Nettles said.
In a related move, city officials also confirmed plans to relocate the Southside Community Center’s services to a nearby facility at the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods, according to the Fort Worth Report. The relocation will ensure community programs continue while the museum’s construction progresses.
Despite acquiring property in the area, the National Juneteenth Museum has long faced challenges in securing the necessary land for its development. The approval of the lease agreement solves this issue, clearing the way for the demolition of the Southside Community Center and the beginning of the museum’s long-anticipated construction. The development will include exhibit galleries, a 250-seat theater, a food hall, and “green spaces,” according to the official website.
“Our design for the National Juneteenth Museum is inspired by the resilience of the African American experience, transforming those stories into a space for reflection, education, and celebration,” said lead designer Douglass Alligood.
Fort Worth’s financial support to the museum includes a $15 million contribution contingent on the museum meeting its fundraising goals. According to CEO Jarred Howard, the nonprofit behind the project has raised more than $40 million of its $70 million target.
While the museum’s completion date has been delayed several times, with an initial target for a 2025 opening now extended to 2026, Howard expressed optimism that groundbreaking would occur as soon as the necessary funds are secured.
Currently, the city’s financial pledge is the largest single contribution to the museum, according to FWR. Several private organizations, including BNSF Railway and Bank of America, have also made significant donations, while the Texas legislature contributed $1 million in 2023.
In light of Fort Worth’s reaffirmed support, museum leaders plan to approach state officials with a request to match the city’s $15 million commitment.