Residents seek housing, trails near planned TEXRail station

Residents of Fort Worth’s Mistletoe Heights neighborhood have expressed a desire for the upcoming Near Southside/Medical District TEXRail station to function as a community hub rather than just a transit stop. During a public meeting held on Sept. 9, dozens of attendees discussed plans for the site, which is located between the railroad tracks and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center–Fort Worth.

Current projections indicate the station could open around 2029.

Attendees requested the addition of trails, restaurants, coffee shops, retail spaces, and various housing types to the surrounding area. Brian Cameron, a 42-year-old local resident who uses the service to travel to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, described the potential for the site to become a flagship destination. "There is so much potential for that station to be a flagship destination.

I'd like to see some community amenities," Cameron said.

James Saat, a 31-year-old financial analyst who commutes via Trinity Metro buses and bicycle, emphasized the need for better connectivity. "I'd like to see more connections to the station," Saat stated. "It makes it easier to use."

These comments align with a broader strategy by Trinity Metro to promote transit-oriented development, which aims to place housing and businesses near public transportation to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro, informed city council members that groundbreaking for the 2.1-mile extension linking downtown Fort Worth to the Near Southside is expected in late 2026. Data from Trinity Metro indicates the system has recorded more than 842,000 rides to date. The agency is also evaluating similar development opportunities at the North Side and Mercantile Center stations.

In a related effort, Fort Worth city council members voted on Aug. 11 to begin rezoning industrial properties near the North Side station for mixed-use residential and retail projects. City officials stated in a staff report that the goal is to create a walkable district near the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.

Tony Herhold, the city’s planning manager, noted that some long-standing businesses have raised concerns about the impact of rezoning on their operations. Herhold said the city intends to work with these businesses to find a path for them to continue operating after the changes.

Trinity Metro continues to gather public feedback, with an open-house meeting scheduled for Sept. 16 at the Northside Community Center. Peter Schroder, a restaurateur, commented on the potential impact of development in the Southside neighborhoods, stating, "Park Place is the center of the four Southside neighborhoods. I think it's going to enhance the neighborhood so much."

Source: yahoo.com.

Sources

Yahoo