Downtown Fort Worth Design Review Board Meeting – August 24, 2026

The meeting convened at approximately 7:30 PM and included approval of prior meeting minutes, discussion and votes on three major agenda items: a new restaurant's signage at 901 Houston Street, two single-family homes on North Diamond Avenue, and phase 2 of the Fort Worth Convention Center exterior improvements.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the meeting minutes from April 2, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case 024 (901 Houston Street): Bill Swift, sign company representative, presented the signage plan and defended the use of high-density urethane for decorative panels. Jason Cross, restaurant owner, spoke in favor, highlighting the need to draw attention to a basement concept and the desire to complement downtown architecture. Melissa Knur, representing Downtown Fort Worth Inc. (DFWI), testified that the DFWI committee found the proposed signage plan too busy and recommended simplification: removal of the decorative wall panels, relocation of the blade sign to the 8th & Park corner, removal of the menu sign, and adding a sconce. The committee also raised concerns about material durability.
• Cases 029/030 (406 & 408 North Diamond): Casey, representing Newpad Building Company, presented the two identical single-family homes and noted that DFWI feedback had been incorporated except for increasing the size of the porch columns. Melissa Knur testified DFWI was supportive of the project but wanted more substantial porch columns to give the entry more presence, a change the applicant did not make.
• Case 028 (Convention Center Phase 2): Michael Bennett, project lead, presented the North Plaza design, including native plant bioswales, shade structures, a monument sign, and a comprehensive signage plan. Melissa Knur testified DFWI was very supportive, emphasizing the partnership with BRIT for native plants, the need for ongoing maintenance, and suggesting that seating with integrated planters could help reduce the heat island effect near the building. She also noted that the 9th Street canopy wall sign felt duplicative of the monument sign.

Discussion Items

• Case 024 – 901 Houston Street Signage: Staff recommended approval of the certificate of appropriateness (COA) for one canopy sign, one blade sign, and one wall sign (menu board), along with two waivers: (A) from sign area standards (allowing 20.63 sq ft vs. maximum 6.53 sq ft) and (B) from canopy sign standards (allowing the emblem to extend beyond the canopy width). Staff recommended denial of the two decorative wall panels, which they considered non-architectural and visually cluttering. The board discussed the blade sign location; options included the corner of 8th & Houston (preferred by the applicant) and two locations near the entrance (preferred by the board to mark the door). The board decided to approve the blade sign contingent on coordination with staff to determine the final location.
• Cases 029/030 – Single-Family Homes: Staff recommended approval of the COA and a waiver to reduce sidewalk width from 7 feet to 5 feet, noting that 5 feet is the standard citywide for residential areas. The board briefly discussed DFWI’s recommendation for larger porch columns but did not require it, approving both homes as presented.
• Case 028 – Convention Center Phase 2: Staff recommended approval of the COA and three waivers: (A) from street tree standards to allow bioswales and other plantings instead of trees every 25 feet; (B) from sign area standards for a 186.53 sq ft ground floor wall sign (max 35 sq ft); (C) from monument sign standards for a 200 sq ft monument sign (max 60 sq ft per face). The board discussed the duplicative nature of the 9th Street canopy wall sign (reading “Fort Worth Convention Center”) given the monument sign at the main entrance. The board voted to exclude that wall sign from approval, but allowed the canopy sign at the northeast entry and other signage to proceed.

Key Outcomes

• Case 024: Approved the COA and both waivers for the canopy sign, blade sign (location to be coordinated with staff), and wall sign. Decorative wall panels denied. Vote: 6–0.
• Cases 029 & 030: Approved the COA and sidewalk width waiver for both properties on a single vote. Vote: 6–0.
• Case 028: Approved the COA and all three waivers, but the 9th Street canopy wall sign was excluded from the approval. Vote: 5–0.

The meeting adjourned after the convention center vote. The next regular meeting was announced for September 2026 (the chair initially said October but corrected to September).