What’s next for the Butler Place property?
Published on September 08, 2022
The former Butler Place public housing community is significant to Fort Worth’s history and culture. Under a proposed agreement, portions of that neighborhood would be preserved for future generations.
The City of Fort Worth and Fort Worth Housing Solutions have negotiated a memorandum of agreement with the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer to mitigate the adverse impacts of redevelopment on historic resources associated with Butler Place. The Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society and Historic Fort Worth would be listed as concurring parties to the agreement.
Built in 1939, Butler Place is now vacant after all its residents relocated to new homes around the city through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program. The 42-acre former public housing site is bounded by I-30, I-35 and Hwy. 287 near downtown Fort Worth in Council District 8.
Housing Solutions wants to sell the property to a qualified buyer for redevelopment.
Under the proposed agreement, a 6.5-acre outdoor amphitheater would be developed on a hillside adjacent to the I.M. Terrell Academy campus. Housing Solutions would also support the development of a Fort Worth African American museum and cultural center by contributing $10,000 toward a November 2021 community workshop and $40,000 toward a feasibility study to be conducted in 2023.
Housing Solutions plans to apply to the City of Fort Worth for Historic and Cultural Landmark designation of three buildings, including the former Carver-Hamilton Elementary School building and two former residential buildings on Stephenson Street in the National Register district. Local historic designation of the three buildings would require approval by the City Council.
Red bricks from the Butler Place property are being saved to create a public art installation on the property.
Photo: Butler Place was vacated by 2020. But culturally and historically significant portions of the site are due to be preserved.
Get articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe to City News.