Annual Report 2017


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2017

City of Fort Worth

Annual Report

CONTENTS City of Fort Worth 2017 Annual Report The City of Fort Worth 2017 Annual Report is published by the Communications and Public Engagement Department. Back cover photo courtesy of Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mayor’s Welcome

2

City Manager’s Letter

3

Public Safety

4

Mobility

6

Infrastructure

7

Livability

8

Economic Development

13

Mayor and Council

15

MAYOR’S WELCOME Howdy! As we look back on Fort Worth’s 2017 milestones and accomplishments, we must also continue to look ahead and strategically plan for the future. Fort Worth remains one of the fasting-growing large cities in the nation and currently is the 16th largest city in the U.S. With unprecedented growth comes both opportunities and challenges, making it more important than ever that we focus on strategic, managed growth. In 2017, we laid a strong foundation for the future with the unveiling of our Economic Development Strategic Plan. The plan provides guidance and outlines strategic initiatives focused around recruiting new businesses and expanding current industries, attracting and retaining talent and developing Fort Worth’s workforce. Alongside these strategies and targeted investments, the quality of life across all of Fort Worth will continue to flourish. As we manage the current growth and plan for the future, we continue to improve efficiencies throughout City Hall by cutting red tape and bureaucracy, and getting back to the basics of superior customer 2

service. As part of the city’s commitment to customer service and a business-friendly climate, several of our departments are expanding services, streamlining processes and bringing technology up to date so we can better serve the high growth Fort Worth is experiencing. While we focus on building a strong, prosperous future for Fort Worth, we must put an emphasis on educating our future generations and equipping our current workforce with the necessary skills to succeed. Read Fort Worth — a collaborative action network working to ensure that 100 percent of Fort Worth ISD third-graders are reading on grade level by 2025 — saw great strides in improving early childhood literacy. Fort Worth is grateful for the continued contributions and investments from past leaders and community members who helped set the stage for today’s current success. The City of Cowboys and Culture is thriving and garnering national attention as people around the world are taking notice of all the wonderful things happening. I’m proud of the work our community has done over the past year. I hope to continue this momentum in 2018, and I encourage each of you to take time to engage and cultivate strong ties with our great, award-winning city. Remember, it’s your Fort Worth.

Betsy Price

Mayor

CITY MANAGER’S MESSAGE This annual report provides a brief summary of many — but not all — of our accomplishments in 2017. It includes snapshots of programs, projects and services that impact Fort Worth residents. I’d like to mention just a few of the initiatives we’ve been focusing on: Great customer service I am proud to lead a dedicated team of highly qualified employees who provide a wide range of outstanding programs and services. But we strive to do better. In the coming year we’ll be rolling out a new customer relationship management system, starting with the Code Compliance Department. The idea is to provide you, our customers, with a single phone number and app to communicate service issues with the city. The system will continue to be expanded to include other departments and functions through 2018 and into 2019. Along the lines of customer service, the Planning & Development Department is seeing improved results from investments in additional staff, training and computer systems. This will lead to shorter wait times and improved efficiencies for members of Fort Worth’s development community and for residents who wish to tackle improvements to their homes and businesses. Maintaining a long-term perspective We must focus on sustainable solutions to our challenges. For a third consecutive year, the city’s economic outlook is positive, from improvements in local job growth and sales tax collections to increases in residential and commercial values and new building permits. Along with this growth have come increased demands on city services and infrastructure and, ultimately, the requests for and use of city dollars.

value. The budget also increased cash funding dedicated to capital projects, included funds for street maintenance and repair, funds to improve neighborhood vitality and safety, and additional funds for park maintenance and improvements. Pursuing partnerships One of Fort Worth’s greatest strengths has always been its partnerships. (Consider the Dickies Arena project in the Cultural District as the most current example.) Looking forward, new and innovative partnerships will be a vital component of our success. It’s the smartest way to solve the public policy issues that face Fort Worth and cities across the nation, whether it’s crime, traffic and mobility, poverty and homelessness or economic development. I am convinced that with the leadership of the Mayor and City Council, and the creativity of city employees, we will successfully meet the challenges that come our way in 2018. By working together, we will continue Fort Worth’s proud traditions while building a stronger future. Let us know how we’re doing.

One of our longer-term goals is to be more competitive with our property tax rate. Our FY2018 budget lowered the property tax rate by three cents; the rate went to 80.5 cents from 83.5 cents per $100 of assessed taxable

Mission Working together to build a strong community.

Vision

Fort Worth will be the most livable and best managed city in the country.

A Foundation of Our Values

• Exceptional Customer Service • Accountability • Ethical Behavior

David C. Cooke

City Manager

• Diversity • Mutual Respect • Continuous Improvement

Strategic Goals

• Make Fort Worth the nation’s safest major city. • Improve mobility and air quality. • Create and maintain a clean, attractive city. • Strengthen the economic base, develop the future workforce and create quality job opportunities. • Promote orderly and sustainable development.

CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 3

PUBLIC SAFETY

Police’s Sixth Patrol Division breaks ground Facility in far north Fort Worth is expected to open in spring 2018

Construction of the Police Department’s Sixth Patrol Division facility got underway in April 2017. The 23,000-square-foot facility near Alliance Town Center will be home to 110 officers and 13 administrative staff who will serve the growing population in north Fort Worth. A community meeting room is also included in the project. The project is estimated to cost $14 million, and it is funded by the Crime Control and Prevention District. The facility is expected to be finished in spring 2018. The new patrol division facility will improve customer service across the city by adding officers to this heavily populated area and deploying them near the beats they serve. Since 2000, Fort Worth has added more than 135,000 residents and 39 square miles to the area north of Loop 820. Because of the rapid growth, the City Council agreed to create a new patrol division to serve the area.

The new building will enhance community partnerships by serving as a command center for new and active Citizens on Patrol members, providing community meeting space and improving accessibility to police staff.

Two new fire stations to serve growing population Station 42 comes online early in 2018, and Station 43 is in the planning stages FM 1187. This facility will provide service for residents in the developing area and emergency services for the airport. The station includes three bays for fire apparatus equipment. Cost of the project is estimated at $4.5 million with funding coming from the 2014 bond program ($4.4 million), gas well revenues ($200,000) and savings from prior bond programs ($800,000). Move-in is expected in early 2018. Station 43

Two new fire stations in fast-growing areas of Fort Worth will improve emergency response.

Residents in far south and far west Fort Worth will soon have new fire stations to serve them. Station 42 The new station is at Spinks Airport off I-35W and

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Fire Station 43 will be constructed in far west Fort Worth to serve existing neighborhoods such as Lost Creek as well as rapidly developing areas such as the Walsh Ranch development. The station will include up to a four-bay station with about 11,000 square feet. The $4.7 million project is in the planning stages, with project completion scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Stop Six initiative paying dividends Surveillance cameras installed as part of neighborhood revitalization program Fort Worth is in the midst of a major investment in the Cavile Place/Stop Six community to improve public safety, promote economic revitalization and enhance community engagement. The targeted area is bordered by Rosedale Street on the north, Ramey Avenue on the south, Stalcup Road on the east and just west of Edgewood Terrace on the west. The City Council set aside $2.56 million in funding to implement capital projects aimed specifically at improving neighborhoods. This funding may be designated for targeted neighborhoods on an annual basis. The revitalization has a dual purpose: increase public safety and improve the condition of the neighborhood. As part of the efforts, surveillance cameras were installed to help improve public safety. The two dozen mobile surveillance cameras will help the Fort Worth Police Department keep a 24-7 eye on known hot spots of criminal activity. Similar revitalization programs are expected to be rolled out in a different neighborhood in the coming years.

Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, left, assists in the reveal of a new mural painted on the east wall of Ramey Market in the Stop Six neighborhood. The mural was designed and painted by senior art students at Dunbar High School.

Efforts bring renewed hope to Las Vegas Trail residents Group’s mission is to assist the neighborhood by partnering with residents The issues affecting the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood are complex and won’t be solved overnight. The mile-long stretch of low-income apartments and rundown motels on Fort Worth’s west side have prompted city leaders to take a closer look at the area with a goal of ending the cycle of poverty, neighborhood deterioration, high unemployment and underperforming schools. The Star-Telegram hosted a panel discussion on the future of Las Vegas Trail. The panel included some of the fiercest advocates for the area, including two school principals, a nonprofit organization leader and a Fort Worth police officer. The response was incredibly encouraging. With more than 400 attendees from the community, the panel received thoughtful and insightful feedback. Although the panelists came from diverse backgrounds and experiences, a common theme emerged: the need for coordination of services. The forum was only the beginning of a communitywide effort to revitalize the neighborhood. District 3

Councilmember Brian Byrd has formed a Las Vegas Trail committee that consists of subgroups focusing on specific issues such as safety, education, housing, social services, economic development and health care.

A new partnership focuses resources for both sustained change and immediate, positive impact to life in the west Fort Worth neighborhood.

LVTRise is a partnership whose goal is to focus resources for both sustained change and immediate positive impact to life in “The Trails.”

CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 5

MOBILITY

North Freeway project nearing completion More sections were moved to permanent pavement in 2017

One of the biggest highway construction projects in Tarrant County history continues to make progress, and by the end of 2017 was 88 percent complete. The I-35W expansion project spans 18 miles in Fort Worth and includes a section that is ranked No. 6 on the state’s most congested roadway list. Plans to reduce the congestion by doubling capacity include reconstructing the existing lanes and adding TEXpress (managed toll) lanes in each direction. New general highway and TEXpress lanes have opened between Western Center and North Tarrant Parkway, providing more access and connectivity. Other 2017 construction highlights: • Moved traffic to permanent pavement on northbound I-35W from 28th Street to I-820. • Reopened the off-ramp from eastbound I-820 to Beach Street. • Reopened the off-ramp from northbound I-35W to Meacham Boulevard. • Completed sound wall installation in the Greenway Neighborhood.

This aerial shot shows the I-35W/I-820 interchange looking eastbound.

In early 2018, access to Meacham Boulevard from I-820 will be restored and the off-ramp from southbound I-35W to Spur 280 will be reopened, easing motorists’ entry into downtown.

TEXRail construction on track for 2018 opening The commuter rail line will extend to DFW International Airport Scheduled to open for service in late 2018, TEXRail is a 27-mile commuter rail line that will extend from downtown Fort Worth into Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.

Federal Transit Administration signed a $499.39 million full funding grant agreement, which completed local and federal funding for the $1.034 billion TEXRail commuter rail project.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority and the

TEXRail’s route will start at the T&P Station and continue to the Intermodal Transportation Center, North Side, Beach Street/Mercantile, Iron Horse and Smithfield (both in North Richland Hills), Grapevine/ Main Street, DFW Airport North and DFW Airport Terminal B. The nine stations will include ticket vending, covered seating, lighting and security cameras.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority purchased eight rail vehicles for TEXRail.

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TEXRail’s trains will be configured with an operator cab at either end for bidirectional movement. At the center of the train is a power pack with two diesel engines. This style of train is much quieter than traditional commuter rail. Amenities include work tables, lap trays, a quiet car, level boarding and overhead storage for bags.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Street and transportation projects moving forward Bond election expected in May 2018 to address needs created by Fort Worth’s growth Fort Worth’s population growth and economic development increase demands on city services and infrastructure. This growth creates streets and transportation challenges: roads need to be expanded and repaired, and more sidewalks, traffic signals and street lights are needed.

by voters, the bond package would provide funding to build new roads and repair existing ones; add new park amenities, community centers and public safety facility improvements; and replace an aging library.

That’s why voters approved $219,740,000 in the 2014 Bond Program Proposition 1 to address some of these infrastructure improvements. With more than 18 arterial and 215 neighborhood streets projects, progress continues so 2014 bond funds are encumbered and spent within five years. As of late 2017, projects have encumbered and spent $132,931,699. That leaves $128 million, or 44 percent of the funds, remaining to spend. In 2017, crews constructed 26.43 lane miles of new streets in Fort Worth. To address Fort Worth’s unprecedented growth and the challenges that come along with it, the City Council will call for a bond election in May 2018. If approved

Work on Hemphill-Lamar connection continues Construction is expected to wrap up in early 2020

Progress is being made on a new connection to the central business district. Construction began in October on the Hemphill-Lamar Connector. The Hemphill-Lamar Connector project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will construct the railroad bridge for the Union Pacific Railroad. The second phase will complete the underpass and roadway that connects Lancaster Avenue to West Vickery Boulevard. Construction is expected to last approximately 30 months with completion in early 2020.

Excavation is underway just south of the Lamar Street and Lancaster Avenue intersection, and it was expected to continue on both the north and south ends of the project through early 2018.

Total cost of the project is $53 million dollars with the city contributing $26.6 million. The remaining funding will come from the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas Department of Transportation and Tarrant County.

CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 7

LIVABILITY

Fort Worth Literacy Partnership is now Read Fort Worth Goal: 100 percent of third-graders reading to learn — not learning to read — by 2025 The Fort Worth Literacy Partnership unveiled a new name — Read Fort Worth —but its commitment remains the same: seeing that 100 percent of Fort Worth ISD children are reading on grade level by third grade. Read Fort Worth was launched in September 2016 as the Fort Worth Literacy Partnership by Mayor Betsy Price, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner and leaders from the business and philanthropic communities. Matthew K. Rose, executive chairman of Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway, serves as chairman of Read Fort Worth’s 12-member executive council. The privately funded, locally controlled backbone

organization exists to provide the community unique, actionable data to advance kindergarten readiness and third-grade reading achievement; to organize and align partners under shared outcomes; to develop strategies for significant improvement; and to communicate best practices and drive results. Read Fort Worth is finalizing a strategic plan to help drive significant improvement in early childhood literacy through existing and forming action networks focused on high-impact areas including school readiness, child health and well-being, expanded learning opportunities and reading resources.

Expanded, renovated parks welcome residents Enhancements are being made to recreation amenities across the city

City, YMCA partner on aquatics facility Swimmers will make their first splash in a full-service aquatic facility in southeast Fort Worth in May 2018. The City Council agreed to provide a $2.3 million forgivable loan to the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth to construct an Enhanced Neighborhood Family Aquatic Center in the Renaissance Square development, just south of East Berry Street and next to Mitchell Boulevard Elementary School. The city will provide $59,000 annually to help subsidize operation and maintenance costs of the aquatic center, with annual increases of 2 percent. The YMCA will manage the pool and retain all revenues. Due to the public-private partnership, the public will be able to use the facility without a YMCA membership. Echo Lake Park renovations The City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department took over ownership and maintenance of Echo Lake Park from Tarrant County. Due to a combination of safety concerns, the Park & Recreation Department removed the large group shelter (wood and stone), several picnic tables and two restroom facilities. Additionally, the department performed some parking lot striping and wheel stop placement. Fort Worth, Vaqueros collaborate The City of Fort Worth is collaborating with the Fort Worth Vaqueros to provide updated youth soccer facilities in east Fort Worth. 8

The City Council voted to work with the Vaqueros, an amateur American soccer team in the National Premier Soccer League, to repurpose tennis courts at Sycamore Park and renovate them into a youth-sized synthetic surface soccer field. The tennis courts at Sycamore Park were installed in 1915, had fallen into disrepair and were seldom used. The fields will be used as part of a youth soccer academy operated by the Vaqueros for children aged 7-12. The Vaqueros will be responsible for programming at the newly renovated facility. Mosier Valley Park expands The City Council voted to acquire an additional acre of land to expand a city park in Mosier Valley, the historic community where the first freed Texans settled after news of the Emancipation Proclamation spread across the nation. Mosier Valley Park is currently under construction. Amenities will include a playground, trails, shelter, benches, picnic tables, multiuse court and security lighting. The park will be accessible to the neighborhood and have an interpretive commemoration or historical designation area.

LIVABILITY

Bridge construction highlights Trinity River Vision progress Signature bridges due for completion in 2019-20 The Trinity River Vision Master Plan encompasses 88 miles of the Trinity River and its greenbelts and tributaries winding through Fort Worth. The project aims to revamp the Trinity River as it flows through Fort Worth and to create an urban waterfront community called Panther Island.

In addition, work near Riverside Park is part of the Trinity River Vision’s River Connect Plan that will provide enhanced flood protection throughout Fort Worth. The River Connect Plan was adopted in 2010 as the master plan for Riverside Park.

The first round of V-pier forms that will give three Panther Island bridges their signature shape are under construction. In 2017, concrete pouring began on piers for the White Settlement Road bridge, and construction began on the North Main Street bridge. Construction continues on all three signature bridges with estimated completion for White Settlement Road in 2019 and Henderson Street and North Main Street in 2020. The Panther Island Bridges were designed by renowned architect Miguel Rosales and local engineering firm Freese and Nichols Inc. The project is being led by the Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Fort Worth in cooperation with the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

During the first part of 2018, the first segment of the Panther Island canal system will be built in conjunction with the first multi-family development on Panther Island.

Two new libraries to provide the latest amenities Golden Triangle Branch opens in late 2018; a new Eastside Library is in design

Fort Worth has two library projects in the works — one already under construction and the other in the design phase. Golden Triangle Branch Library The Golden Triangle Branch Library, 4264 Golden Triangle Blvd., is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018 and will offer a wide variety of materials and services, in addition to housing a Municipal Court satellite office. Besides its collection of more than 50,000 books, DVDs and CDs, the new library will have an area for children’s activities and story times; public computers, laptops and Wi-Fi; a makerspace offering science and technology classes, 3D printers, laser cutter and audio/ video equipment; a one-stop customer service desk, multiple self-service stations and automated materials sorting; a meeting room that can seat 100 people and be subdivided; and public artwork designed by local artist Sara Lovas. Eastside Library The city’s newest library will be dedicated to serving families. The first of its kind in North Texas, the library will be at 3851 E. Lancaster Ave. and will provide

The $9,125,000 Golden Triangle Branch Library, now under construction, is part of the city’s 2014 bond program.

educational programs that complement a child’s formal education and be an environment that encourages curiosity, reading, creativity and critical thinking. Architects have been selected to design the 8,000-square-foot facility. Design work is underway, and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2019 and be completed by fall 2019. CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 9

LIVABILITY

Historic Rockwood Park Golf Course reopens

Stunning redesign expands the original course, but its historic allure remains

The historic Rockwood Park Golf Course opened in June after a $5.1 million renovation, which included new fairways, greens, tees, cart trails, sand bunkers and updated irrigation systems.

Additionally, Rockwood Golf Course is home to the First Tee of Fort Worth, a nonprofit organization that teaches kids life skills and values through the sport of golf.

Rockwood, which boasts sweeping views of the downtown skyline and the Trinity River, originally opened for play in September 1938. The original 18-hole course was designed by John Bredemus, and an additional nine The course incorporates three species of grass into its design. The greens are Tif-Eagle grass, the fairways and tees are 419 Bermuda grass, and the roughs are Tifton Ten turf. holes designed by Ralph Plummer were added in 1963. The latest redesign of the course expands the original layout from 6,350 to 7,053 yards — the fourth hole alone is 625 yards long. Elements of the course’s history remain, however: the rock bridge on the 13th hole is almost 80 years old, having been built by the Work Progress Administration as part of the New Deal.

The reconstructed Rockwood Golf Course includes a new routing plan with new greens, tees, fairways, bunkering system, drainage and cart paths.

Fort Worth still growing, continues to be 16th largest city U.S. Census estimates put population at 854,113 Fort Worth’s population is 854,113, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. That makes Cowtown the 16th largest city in the country, with 12,062 more residents than Charlotte, N.C., as of July 1, 2016. Fort Worth’s ranking has remained consistent at 16th since 2010, except for one year when Fort Worth ranked 17th. While Fort Worth added more than 109,140 people since the 2010 Census base estimate, Austin is the fastest growing large city (more than 500,000 population), having added just over 136,845 people. In the coming Census, Fort Worth could grow to become one of the top 15 largest cities.

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Dickies Arena construction is on track for 2019 Several high-profile bookings have already been made

Multipurpose Arena Fort Worth and Dickies announced a naming rights partnership establishing Dickies Arena as the name of Fort Worth’s new 14,000seat arena, adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center and set to open in November 2019. The new arena is the result of a pioneering public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the state of Texas and a group of private-sector participants, including foundations, individuals and organizations. The partnership was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2014. Construction progress continues to run on time. Concrete pours for the venue were on track to finish by the end of 2017. By the time of the 2018 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo installation of the steel roof was expected to be under way. The roof is scheduled to be completed during summer 2018. Dickies Arena already has several notable event bookings:

Fort Worth Multipurpose Arena is scheduled to open in November 2019 and will bring a wide variety of programming, including concerts, family shows, sporting events, community and school events and more.

• Home to the Fort Worth Stock Show rodeo performances beginning in 2020.

There were about 700 workers onsite daily; at peak, there will be 900-1,000 workers.

• 2022 NCAA men’s basketball first and second rounds. • 2020-22 NCAA women’s gymnastics championship. • 2020-22 American Athletic Conference men’s basketball championship.

Fort Worth designated first Age-Friendly Community in Texas Network provides older residents rewarding, productive and safe lives Fort Worth is the first Age-Friendly Community in Texas. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities helps participating communities become great places for all ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities.

Age-Friendly Community. The plan will be implemented with existing staff and budgets and will be incorporated into the city’s Comprehensive Plan. In the U.S., more than three dozen communities representing more than a dozen states are enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.

The City Council voted unanimously in favor of the action plan that led toward the city becoming an

CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 11

LIVABILITY

Task force studying race, culture

The 23-member panel will listen to conversations with the community

The City Council appointed a 23-member task force in 2017, a panel designed to advise on issues related to race and culture in Fort Worth. Co-chairs are Rosa Navejar (presiding co-chair), Lillie Biggins, Rabbi Andrew Bloom and Bob Ray Sanders. Task force members: Charles Boswell, Walter Dansby, Robert Fernandez, Miriam Frias, Robert Goldberg, Yolanda Harper, Bishop Mark Kirkland, Nima Malek, Rattana Mao, Arturo Martinez, Roxanne Martinez, Judy McDonald, Terry Mossige, Cory Session, Katie Sherrod, Ty Stimpson, Jennifer Trevino, Monica Vasquez and the Rev. Tim Woody.

The group was asked to engage Fort Worth residents in a series of healthy conversations about race and culture, draw conclusions from these conversations and make recommendations to the City Council. The task force was also reviewing findings of a study on disparities in how municipal services are provided, then will advise councilmembers on a strategy to promote racial and cultural equity. The task force will also advise City Manager David Cooke on an appropriate leadership training dealing with race and cultural issues.

The task force was scheduled to be in effect for up to a year.

Ambassadors keep downtown Fort Worth safe, appealing The City Council approved a PID assessment increase to fund the crew At the request of downtown property owners, downtown Fort Worth has a new crew of helpers, all decked out in neon green shirts. Downtown Fort Worth Inc. has added Downtown Ambassadors to the services provided by the Downtown Public Improvement District. The Ambassadors circulate throughout downtown in their vibrant green pickup, on foot, on bicycles and on Segways to help visitors, create a friendly and welcoming environment and add extra eyes and ears on the street. To fund the program, the City Council approved a downtown PID assessment rate increase from 10 cents per $100 of value on taxable downtown properties to 12.5 cents. DFWI manages the PID and worked with downtown property owners for nearly a year to develop the new program. The crew is on duty downtown from 7 a.m.-midnight, seven days a week. Contact the on-duty supervisor at 817-484-3723. In their first 30 days on the job, the ambassadors provided hospitality assists to 2,864 residents and visitors. 12

Mayor Betsy Price introduces the Downtown Ambassadors, who can be seen in their green truck, on foot, on bikes or Segways as they assist residents and visitors. (Photo by Glen Ellman)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

New plan provides roadmap for city’s economic development The plan is focused on a five-year timeframe, but progress is expected sooner Fort Worth unveiled a new strategic plan for its economic development efforts to ensure the city can compete regionally and internationally. The plan is a roadmap for the city’s economic development program. Just as important, it is a call to action so that Fort Worth can embrace its status as a major U.S. city and compete on the national and international stage. The plan is structured around a bold vision: To compete successfully on the national and international stage for creative, high-growth businesses and the talented individuals who fuel them. Supporting that vision are goals addressing competitiveness, creativity and community vitality. There have been internal strategic plans and annual

work plans for the City of Fort Worth Economic Development Department, but no comprehensive economic development strategy. Partner organizations have had their independent strategic plans, but this plan is intended to provide some overall goals and insight to provide alignment in priority areas. The strategic plan outlines key metrics for the city and partner organizations. Consultants also will conduct a one-year assessment to see how the Economic Development Department is progressing with the goals and metrics. While some of the 200-plus recommendations are longer term, the plan is focused on a five-year time frame, 2018-2022. There should be progress in a fairly short timeline.

Action! Film commission building on early success Fort Worth offers temperate climate, creative atmosphere, location variety When blue-eyed movie star Robert Redford strolled into the Worthington National Bank across from Sundance Square, he wasn’t there to make a deposit or check on a CD. Instead, he was filming part of a new movie, “The Old Man and the Gun.”

connects filmmakers with local production companies and issues calls for talent. The commission is accredited by the Association of Film Commissioners International, an organization that gives formal recognition to film commissions worldwide.

The two-year-old Fort Worth Film Commission had a hand in making the local filming possible.

Since it began two years ago, the commission has had an $11.9 million economic impact on the city. The biggest movies filmed in Fort Worth recently were “A Bad Idea Gone Wrong,” “A Ghost Story” and “Never Goin’ Back,” which were scheduled to be shown at the Sundance Film Festival in early 2018.

The film commission is managed by the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau and acts as a liaison for filmmakers seeking to shoot in Fort Worth. The commission helps filmmakers secure locations,

Fort Worth is first Music Friendly Community New statewide program fosters growth of the music industry

Fort Worth has another feather in its Stetson: Cowtown was designated the first Music Friendly Community in Texas by the Texas Music Office. Participation in the Music Friendly Community program provides Texas communities with a network for fostering music industry development and sends a message to industry professionals that certified communities are

serious about attracting and developing music industry growth. In July, Texas Music Office Director Brendon Anthony presented the first Music Friendly Community workshop in Fort Worth with the assistance of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. More than 50 music business professionals turned out to learn about the new program. CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 13

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

AllianceTexas continues to be an economic boon Investments, jobs value exceed $64 billion since the development’s inception AllianceTexas is estimated to have a $4.66 billion annual economic impact. The latest figure brings the total for the 27-year-old development in far north Fort Worth to $64.35 billion. Insight Research Corp. of Dallas compiled a report that totaled investments and the value of jobs at the development. More than 2,500 new jobs were added at Alliance in 2016. That number is down from the 4,000 jobs created in 2015. More than 47,400 people now work at 470 companies in the Alliance corridor. Hillwood Properties, developer of Alliance, pays property taxes to Fort Worth, Roanoke, Haslet, Westlake, Tarrant County and Denton County, in addition to the Keller and Northwest school districts. Alliance paid $29.1 million in taxes to Fort Worth in 2016. To date, Hillwood has paid $1.75 billion in property taxes. AllianceTexas is an 18,000-acre master-planned, mixeduse community in far north Fort Worth.

AllianceTexas has 43.3 million square feet of space and another 3 million square feet under construction.

Meacham Airport takes off with new administration building Renovation adds needed space, modern amenities to 1968 building Fort Worth has invested in the future of Meacham Airport by building one of the finest general aviation facilities in the Southwest. In 2017, city officials cut the ribbon on the new Meacham Airport Administration Building, 201 American Concourse. In January 2015, the airport broke ground on the new 85,000-square-foot administration building, gutting the existing one for renovation, demolishing part of it and adding a third floor to meet future tenants’ needs.

The building has energy-efficient HVAC systems and uses LED lighting to reduce energy usage.

The renovation project addresses many deficiencies, including outdated heating/ventilation and air conditioning systems, cooling towers that were under constant repair, lack of fire protection in certain areas and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility concerns. The Meacham Administration Building was built in 1968 14

as a two-story building with the capacity to become a five-story building. Other than a first-floor addition in 1982, there have been no updates to the original structure. The recent renovation removed the 1982 addition, increasing the size of the public apron for aircraft parking.

CITY COUNCIL

Betsy Price

Carlos E. Flores

Brian Byrd

Mayor 817-392-6118 [email protected]

District 2 817-392-8802 [email protected]

District 3 817-392-8803 [email protected]

Cary Moon

Gyna Bivens

Jungus Jordan

District 4 817-392-8804 [email protected]

District 5 817-392-8805 [email protected]

District 6 817-392-8806 [email protected]

Dennis Shingleton

Kelly Allen Gray

Ann Zadeh

District 7 817-392-8807 [email protected]

District 8 817-392-8808 [email protected]

District 9 817-392-8809 [email protected]

CITY OF FORT WORTH • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT / 15



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