Fort Worth cancels contract with developer after years of building delays in Historic Southside

FORT WORTH, Texas — After years of delay, Fort Worth has canceled its contract with a developer that planned to build new apartments, townhomes and commercial space in the city’s Historic Southside neighborhood. Planning for the Evans and Rosedale development first began in 2018. In recent months, developer Hoque Global failed to meet several deadlines and faced “unacceptable delays,” the city said in a statement.

Construction has not begun on the empty lots behind the Shamblee Library — and neighbors say they had begun to lose confidence it ever would. The only visible indication a $70 million development is planned there is the developer’s sign advertising the project. “The best we’ve seen is a sign,” said longtime area resident Johnny Lewis.

“We’ve seen signs before. ” Developer Hoque Global blamed the delays in part on the city not processing building and environmental permits. “No one has wanted the timeline for Evans and Rosedale to move along and meet deadlines more than we have,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

“The project with deep community engagement has required time and detail and we have followed the city’s lead, all during very challenging economic times. ” But Fort Worth Councilman Chris Nettles, who represents the Historic Southside neighborhood, said Hoque Global failed to secure funding to build on the land — and that the permits couldn’t be issued until they had officially taken possession of the property. “Being able to secure the land was the biggest delay,” he said.

“We still promised this community development, and we got to give it to them. ” Starting over with a new developer won’t be easy for the people dedicated to improvement in the Historic Southside. “It stung a little bit just because this development would’ve set the tone for everything else that we would like to come,” said James Walker, the president of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association.

“The fact that we have to start over and try to find that anchor again is a little depressing. ” The city said it is still committed to revitalizing the area and intends to bring in new partners to break ground by early 2025 — before federal funds allocated to the project expire. “There should be stores, there should be restaurants.

There should be businesses and office buildings,” Lewis said. “So that this is a place to come to — not just pass by. ” In a statement, Mayor Mattie Parker said she supported the decision to terminate the contract.

“The city is dedicated to invigorating this community economically and culturally, and moving this transformational project forward remains a high priority,” Parker said. The developer warned starting over will set back progress. “We are deeply concerned with the City of Fort Worth’s current decision, which will only further delay development in the Historic Southside area,” Hoque Global’s statement said.

But neighbors are still holding out hope for the revitalization. “Oh I know it’ll happen,” Walker said. “When is just a matter of time.

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