Excitement Around Community Development
A recently sold-out event held in the Bethlehem Center in Fort Worth brought enthusiasm and optimism as developers from Royal Capital unveiled renderings for the new Evans and Rosedale urban village.
The six-acre project located in the Historic Southside community aims to transform the area into a vibrant, mixed-use space, featuring 184 housing units in various configurations – one, two, and three-bedroom options.
The proposed design emphasizes a walkable community, incorporating green spaces, retail opportunities – including food trucks or restaurants – as well as activities benefiting both children and adults.
Kevin Newell, founder & CEO of Royal Capital, expressed the vision for the project, stating, ‘The objective here is to have as many flexible opportunities as we can and to bring the community together as often as we can.’
Infrastructure and Community Input
The development plans include 247 parking spaces, spread across garages and surface lots. However, the pricing structure and affordability of the housing units are still being evaluated.
City council member Chris Nettles emphasized the importance of community collaboration, stating, ‘I will tell you that we are very intentional in what’s going to happen on this land. And so that’s why, each and every time we go to the second phase, the next phase, we want to come to the community and share with you.’
Investment in the Future
The city of Fort Worth allocated $13.2 million in grants in 2021 to facilitate the construction of the urban village. Approximately $4.2 million of this funding is tied to the American Rescue Plan Act and must be utilized before the end of 2024.
Royal Capital, selected in August 2023, assumed the project after the dismissal of previous developers, who struggled to secure funding for their planned mixed-use development.
A Community Affected by Health Disparities
Located just one mile southeast of downtown Fort Worth, the Historic Southside is one of the city’s historically significant African American neighborhoods. Sadly, a study from 2019 indicated that residents of the area, particularly those in the 76104 ZIP code, face serious health challenges, including the lowest life expectancy in Texas at 66.7 years.
A Catalyst for Change
The Evans and Rosedale urban village is aimed at revitalizing the community, aligning with future developments, including the National Juneteenth Museum, which is expected to open in 2026.
Opinions from local residents have been generally positive regarding the project. Johnny Lewis, a longtime resident, and former vice president of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, remarked, ‘They’ve already assured me that one thing that they’ve done in their other projects is they’ve worked with people from the Black community and the Brown community.’
The development project’s emphasis on community input and integrated living spaces demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the Historic Southside residents.
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