Downtown Fort Worth Design Review Board Meeting - April 2, 2026
Downtown Fort Worth Design Review Board Meeting - April 2, 2026
[The Downtown Fort Worth Design Review Board (DDRB) held a public hearing on April 2, 2026, to consider multiple signage applications and a major convention center expansion. The meeting began with a resolution honoring outgoing board member Tony Pham, welcomed two new members, and approved the previous meeting's minutes. The board considered five cases, involving requests for certificates of appropriateness and waivers from downtown urban design standards. Significant discussion centered on crown signs, rooftop signage, and the integration of a large civic project.]
Consent Calendar
- None
Public Comments & Testimony
- Melissa Connor, representing the Downtown Fort Worth Inc. (DFWI) Design Review Committee, provided recommendations on several cases: For the 1612 Summit Avenue sign (Case DG25-026R), the committee recommended approval after seeing edits to simplify the sign. For the Fairfield Inn sign (Case DG2026-005), the committee recommended approval. For the Texas Bank signs (Case DG2026-008), the committee supported the revised design with dimensional letters. For the Public Market rooftop signs (Case DG2026-012), the committee recommended approval as creative signs. For the Convention Center Phase Two (Case DG2026-009), the committee recommended approval while suggesting improvements such as breaking up long panels and adding solar panels.
Discussion Items
- Case DG25-026R – 1612 Summit Avenue (Sellers Law Firm Crown Sign): Staff presented a history of the application, which had been before the board three times in 2025. The applicant, now Frank Sellers, requested a certificate of appropriateness for a crown building sign and two waivers: to allow a different message from an existing crown sign (Merit Price) and to allow more than one line of text. The existing DNM leasing sign has been non-functional for years. Staff recommended denial, arguing two different messages would create visual clutter and violate the intent of the standards. The applicant argued the two signs cannot be seen simultaneously due to the building's odd shape, and offered to pay for removal of the DNM sign when they vacate. The DFWI committee recommended approval. Board members expressed concerns about perpetuating non-compliance and the lack of enforcement to remove defunct signs. The building owner, Nick Martin, stated he would not grant another tenant a right to put up a sign without board approval. After discussion, the board voted 5-2 to approve the certificate of appropriateness and the two waivers (Paul Richman and Brandon Burns dissenting).
- Case DG2026-005 – 1010 Euston Street (Fairfield Inn Crown Sign): The applicant sought a waiver for a crown sign with two lines of text (maximum allowed is one). The sign would replace an existing three-line sign, reducing square footage from 100.3 to 50 square feet. Staff recommended approval, noting the building is a single hotel and the sign meets all other standards. The DFWI committee supported approval. The board voted unanimously to approve the certificate of appropriateness and the waiver.
- Case DG2026-008 – 300 West 7th Street (Texas Bank Wall Signs): The applicant requested a certificate of appropriateness for four wall signs on a corner bank (two large signs spanning columns, two smaller column signs). A waiver was needed because total square footage (107.5 sq ft) exceeded the maximum 70 sq ft allowed. After revisions, the large signs feature dimensional letters and a dark blue background to hide hardware; only the letters and logo are illuminated. Staff recommended approval as proposed. The DFWI committee approved after the design moved away from a cabinet-box look. Board members questioned the need for the small signs on granite columns. The board approved a motion to approve only the two large signs (including the waiver for square footage), with the small signs to be handled administratively. The motion passed unanimously.
- Case DG2026-012 – 1400 Henderson Street (Public Market Rooftop Signs): The applicant sought approval for two rooftop signs (one reading "Public Market," the other for a future Italian restaurant) on a historic building. Rooftop signs are not allowed under downtown standards, so a waiver was required. The signs are to be installed on the roof to avoid damaging historic facades. Staff recommended approval, noting the design complements the building's architecture and has received input from historic preservation officers. The DFWI committee supported the signs as creative signage. The board discussed the lack of size specifications. The applicant was not present. The board approved a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness with the waiver, conditioned on each sign not exceeding 150 square feet, by a vote of 5-1 (one member opposed).
- Case DG2026-009 – Convention Center Phase Two (1400 Henderson Street area): The applicant (Fort Worth Convention Center) requested a certificate of appropriateness for a major expansion (approx. 358,000 sq ft) including demolition of the 1916 arena, renovation of existing spaces, and construction of a north addition. A waiver was needed to allow a building setback of up to 130 feet (standard maximum 5 feet) to create a plaza. Staff recommended approval, subject to continued coordination on plaza and public art. The project includes a transparent glass facade, porches, a tower referencing historic Main Street, a new loading dock configuration, and a perforated metal panel screen for the loading area. The DFWI committee recommended approval. Board members praised the design and the alignment with the innovation district. The board approved the certificate of appropriateness and the waiver unanimously (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Case DG25-026R (1612 Summit Ave): Approved (5-2) – Certificate of appropriateness for Sellers Law Firm crown sign with two waivers.
- Case DG2026-005 (1010 Euston): Approved (unanimous) – Certificate of appropriateness and waiver for Fairfield Inn crown sign.
- Case DG2026-008 (300 W 7th St): Approved (unanimous) – Certificate of appropriateness for two wall signs (large) with waiver for square footage; small column signs to be handled separately.
- Case DG2026-012 (1400 Henderson): Approved (5-1) – Certificate of appropriateness and waiver for two rooftop signs, each not to exceed 150 square feet.
- Case DG2026-009 (Convention Center Phase Two): Approved (unanimous) – Certificate of appropriateness and waiver for building expansion and setback.
- Next Meeting: The next Downtown Fort Worth Inc. Board meeting is Thursday, May 7, 2026. The DDRB will meet again on May 7, 2026 (date mentioned for DFWI, but meeting adjourned).
Meeting Transcript
Welcome everybody. Thank you very much. I'd like to welcome everyone to the April 2nd, 2026 public meeting of Downtown Fort Worth Design Review Board. May we please have the reading of the Open Meetings Act, please. Good afternoon, everyone. And welcome to the April 2nd, 2026 Downtown Design Review Board Public Hearing. Specific rules and procedures of these hearings are found in the Downtown Urban Design Standards and Guidelines, DDRB rules of procedure, and related provisions of Texas state law. The Downtown Design Review Board requires a quorum of five members to be present and four available for voting. The following board members are present today. Paul Redma, Kirk Milliken, Leah Dunn, Ashley Johnson, Andrew Blake, Brandon Burns, and Terry Bailey. Staff present today are Laura Young, Brandon Utterback, Francisco Vega, Trey Qualls, Stephanie Scott Sims, and Dave. What's your last name? Mike Corkin. Apologies. Copies of today's meeting agenda and speaker registration forms are provided at the desk near the conference room entrance. Today's public hearing is being documented by video conference recording, which will be available on the city's website. To achieve a timely and orderly meeting, the board requests that the following rules of procedure be respected. Please turn off all cell phones. Each case will be called in the sequence listed on the agenda unless otherwise directed by the chair. All ensuing dialogue shall be directed to the board only. After the staff presentation, the applicant and other proponents will be asked to speak. The opposition may then speak. A completed registration form must be turned in before addressing the board to ensure your appearance and presentation are officially recorded. Please state your name in the city in which you reside before addressing the board. Following the official close of each case hearing, the board will remain in open session to discuss and vote on the item in question. During this time, no further further public testimony or commentary will be allowed unless directed by the chair. A closed executive session may be held with respect to the posted agenda items to enable the board to receive advice from legal staff. For additional information on any case on today's agenda, you may contact the development services department by calling 817-3928000. Thank you for your attention. Laura, thank you very much. Francisco. Yeah, we have we have uh some announcements. Um, first uh uh board member Tony Fime. Uh last term has concluded. So uh today we are uh he is his uh he's not serving anymore in the in the DDOB board is today uh we're reading a resolution letter and presenting to him a certificate for serving in the under the ERB. And uh we also have two new board members, uh Terry Bailey and Ashley Johnson serving under the DOB, so we finally have a full uh D VRB. So uh please Terry, if you will like to start with that. Thank you, Francisco. I'd like to read DDRB resolution number 2026-01 resolution thanking Tony FAM for his dedication to and participation in the Downtown Design Review Board, whereas Tony Town was appointed to place seven of the downtown design review board by the mayor and city council in 2021, and whereas Tony Fowne has served with distinction on the downtown design review board since his appointment, and whereas Tony Tham used his knowledge of architecture and urban design to support and guide applicants within the downtown urban design district, and whereas Tony Fam's service on the downtown design review board concluded effective March 31st, 2026. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Downtown Design Review Board that the members of the Downtown Design Review Board hereby express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Tony Pham for his dedication, leadership, and significant contributions to the downtown urban design district in the city of Fort Worth, Texas. Approved the second day of April 2026. Kirk Milliken Chair. Thank you. Tony Thank you, Francisco. Thank you, Francisco. Thank you, Laura. Thank you, Brandon. Thank you, trade calls. Thank you, everyone. It's been a pleasure serving uh the team, and especially thank you to the board members.
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