Fort Worth City Council Work Session - June 2, 2026

The Fort Worth City Council held a work session on June 2, 2026, covering a wide range of topics including organizational changes, informal reports on city operations, and major presentations on the Will Rogers Memorial Center management transition, an economic development agreement for Panther Island, downtown library and community arts plans, and proposed data center development regulations. Council members engaged in detailed discussions and provided direction to staff.

Organizational Changes

• Assistant Library Director Sherry Knight introduced Lindsay Russian as the new Public Education Specialist for the library department. Russian will launch and manage new community art spaces. She has a background in flute performance and historical musicology, and previously worked at Casa Mañana for 16 years and as adjunct faculty at TCU.

Informal Reports (IRs)

• 2026 Debt Financing Plan Overview: Presented by Alex Loffer; no questions.
• Development Services Inspection Response Times: Evan Roberts reported on improvements in inspecting unpermitted construction. Councilman Flores inquired about contractor vetting and inspection intervals. Roberts noted a two-pronged approach: educating unknowing property owners and stricter enforcement for repeat violators, including citation training with the city attorney's office. The MyFortWorth app automatically creates inspection requests; response times have improved.
• Master Transportation Plan Update: Kelly Porter presented; council commended the work.
• National Flood Insurance Program Repetitive Loss Area Analysis: Jennifer Dyke explained that repetitive loss areas are based on insurance claims, not just FEMA floodplains. Councilmember Beck asked about notifications and learned that communications for two new areas would be limited to a few property owners, with confidentiality restrictions.
• Neighborhood Wi-Fi Program: Kevin Gunn reported completion; no questions.
• Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nominations: Jessica Rogers presented 42 proposed zones (down from 45 due to duplicates and ineligibility). Councilmember Martinez asked for examples; Rogers cited multifamily housing projects like The Archive in Dallas. Councilman Flores thanked staff for including Ridgmar Mall on the list.
• EMS Billing Services RFP: Filing Rousseau presented; Councilman Flores asked about collection targets. The new vendor expects to save approximately $370,000 by reducing collection fees, including a third-party safety net service.
• Rainwater Charitable Foundation Literacy Grant: Monique Hills announced a $338,000+ grant to expand the literacy program at community centers, focusing on summer slide prevention and dyslexia screening. Councilmember Hill publicly thanked the Rainwater Charitable Trust.
• Mobile Food Vendor Inspections: Wendy Turpin explained that complaints should go through 311; the city will not contract with the state but will forward to Tarrant County Public Health if needed. Councilmember Martinez suggested adding a specific option in the MyFortWorth app.
• Selection Process for Construction Contractors: Patricia Watsak outlined the low-bid process for construction and qualifications-based selection for engineering services.
• Project Safe Neighborhoods Update: Mark Varden presented; no questions.

Will Rogers Memorial Center Management Transition

• Jess McEkern presented a proposal to outsource management of the Will Rogers Memorial Center to Gindy Street Management Corporation, a nonprofit joint venture of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Trail Drive Management Corp (operator of Dickies Arena). The facility has been city-managed since 1936. The transition aims to reduce operating deficits and reinvest savings into capital improvements. Key points: the 120-acre, 17-building complex hosts events 364 days a year; rising costs and the convention center expansion strain the Culture and Tourism Fund. The city will retain two board seats and employees will be offered positions with equal pay and benefits. Transition funding of up to $2 million is proposed. Councilmember Hill praised the focus on employee welfare. The MNC will be considered on June 9.

Proposed Economic Development Agreement with Seiko Enterprises (Panther Island)

• Michael Henning presented a proposed agreement for a 290-unit mixed-use multifamily project with ground-floor retail, totaling 250,000 square feet and a minimum $100 million investment. The project includes public improvements such as pedestrian canal access and utility relocation. Staff recommends up to 10 annual grants based on 80% of incremental property taxes (capped at $1M/year) to achieve a 6.5% yield on cost, plus a 5% grant to the Housing Finance Corporation for affordable housing. The developer must meet a 30% small business goal. The estimated net present value to the city is $1.2 million over 10 years, with a 13.7:1 private-to-public ratio. Councilman Flores expressed support, citing the project as a catalyst for Panther Island.

Downtown Library and Community Arts

• Dana Bergdoff presented a plan to pivot from using 512 West 4th Street as a downtown library branch to a community arts center, due to layout challenges and a $30.5 million renovation cost. Instead, the city will construct a new downtown library (estimated $36 million) funded through debt defeasance. The library foundation may contribute. West 4th Street will become a city-managed community arts incubator, with a working group chaired by Bob Jameson and including councilmembers Peoples, Hill, Beck, and Martinez. A feasibility study for 1300 Gendy Street will begin in July, funded by several foundations. Councilmembers Beck and Hill commended staff for finding a solution.

Data Center Development Regulations

• Jess McEkern led a comprehensive presentation on proposed regulations for data centers, covering zoning, noise, water/wastewater, and economic development incentives. Key proposals include:
  • Zoning: Increase setbacks to 250 feet from residential, require screening for generators and rooftop cooling, and prohibit cryptocurrency mining as a primary use.
  • Noise: Require a pre-development ambient noise study and limit sound to 5 dB above baseline within 250 feet of residential; restrict generator testing to weekdays 8am-5pm.
  • Water: Mandate closed-loop cooling systems and require wastewater pretreatment permits for all data centers. Staff noted that current proposed data centers plan to use closed-loop systems, minimizing water use.
  • Economic Development: Raise the minimum investment threshold for incentives to $500 million, require identified end users, and cap grants/abatement at 50% of tax revenue (down from 85%).
  • Councilmembers discussed enforcement challenges, especially for noise, and the importance of public engagement. Staff will hold an open house in late June and launch an FAQ website. The goal is to have all amendments adopted by August 11, 2026. Several council members urged robust community input.

Key Outcomes

• Staff will continue work on data center regulations, with a public open house planned for late June and adoption targeted for August 11.
• The Will Rogers management agreement MNC will be presented for council vote on June 9.
• The economic development agreement for Seiko Enterprises will be on the June 9 council agenda.
• The downtown library and community arts working group will begin meetings; a feasibility study for 1300 Gendy Street will start in July.
• No formal votes were taken during the work session; all items are scheduled for future council meetings.