Located just south of downtown Fort Worth is an area know as Near Southside. Once a prosperous neighborhood surrounding the medical district, the area had fallen into decline. With many vacant buildings, it had become a blighted area to the point that several of the 5 major hospitals in the district were considering moving to their main campuses to other parts of the city.
In 1996 an organization was founded committed to the revitalization of Near Southside based on the two-fold recommendation of Sasaki Associates. The Boston company believed that there was a need to 1) to create an organization to work daily on revitalization and 2) to work with the city to create an economic development tool to encourage development in the area. Fort Worth South, Inc. is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote the redevelopment of Fort Worth’s Near Southside as a vibrant, urban, mixed-use neighborhood. The mixed-use element meant they would need to attract new residents and businesses and create a sense of community that was non-existent. Mike Brennan, Planning Director of FWSI, talked about the vision and challenges of recreating Near Southside.
One of the primary problems with the area was that it had become a cut-through rather than a destination. Interstate highways created a psychological barrier from downtown. Widened streets encouraged moving through rather than looking around. All of this would have to change if Near Southside were to develop a new identity. Magnolia, the main street through the community, was designed to be a walkable or complete street - welcoming not only automobile traffic, but pedestrians and cyclists as well. The group was also committed to making the area a unique collection of local businesses while supporting economic anchors that already occupied the area. As a result they have attracted an eclectic variety of restaurants and small businesses and developed a growing sense of individuality not seen in other parts of the area.
The other role of FWSI was to market the area with the goal of changing perceptions of the neighborhood. In addition to attracting businesses and residential development, the organization strives to invite those outside the neighborhood to events such as Friday on the Green, Art Goggle, and other events to help them experience the unique culture of Near Southside.
The formation of Tax Increment Finance District #4 (TIF District) has also played a major role in the improvements and development of the area. Working with the city, the committee developed a redevelopment plan that included updating rules to allow for the type of mixed-use development they desired. (Prior to these changes it was illegal to have businesses and residential in the same building in this area.) It also offered financial incentives to support projects that met the goals of the redevelopment plan.
While the project has experienced much success, not everything they hoped for has come to fruition. One goal was to create a user-friendly access to the area through a modern street car. Plans were made for initial phases and the project even received $25 million in federal funding. Unfortunately, a close vote by the city council voted the project down and resulted in several developers pulling their projects from the area.
Despite political hurdles, New Southside has continued to grow and develop. Their community events attract people from outside the neighborhood and the area is quickly gaining a reputation of having a friendly and eclectic culture. One of the goals of Near Southside is to create a sense of authenticity. While they use this as an acrostic, the word really sums up the atmosphere of the area. Not only is it full of wonderful architecture, there is a sense of truth in the community and that is always a good thing.
In 1996 an organization was founded committed to the revitalization of Near Southside based on the two-fold recommendation of Sasaki Associates. The Boston company believed that there was a need to 1) to create an organization to work daily on revitalization and 2) to work with the city to create an economic development tool to encourage development in the area. Fort Worth South, Inc. is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote the redevelopment of Fort Worth’s Near Southside as a vibrant, urban, mixed-use neighborhood. The mixed-use element meant they would need to attract new residents and businesses and create a sense of community that was non-existent. Mike Brennan, Planning Director of FWSI, talked about the vision and challenges of recreating Near Southside. 
