After decades of planning, the Panther Island project in Fort Worth is moving from concept to construction. The initiative aims to transform a 300-acre area north of downtown into a dense, walkable district featuring residential towers, retail space, and stormwater management canals.
The broader development encompasses two distinct components: the Panther Island residential and commercial district, and the Central City Flood Control Project managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Matt Oliver, a spokesperson for the Tarrant Regional Water District, which serves as the local development sponsor for the Army Corps, described the effort as a significant opportunity for the region.
On the residential side, Fort Worth officials approved a $10 million agreement in June to support Seco Ventures in constructing a 12-story apartment building. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2030. A test canal was built through an existing apartment complex at 447 N. Main St. starting in 2018 to demonstrate the design for the future waterways.
Contracts for the full network of canals are expected to be awarded in late 2026, with construction anticipated to begin around December 2026 or January 2027.
The development footprint includes a new three-acre park that will replace the Coyote Drive-In movie theater, which closed in September after 14 years. The theater’s pavilion will remain within the park to provide space for dining and entertainment. The updated 2024 plan for the island also outlines bike paths, public transit access, and housing for approximately 10,000 residents.
