Driving Well-Designed Growth for Fort Worth Avenue

At the foot of the Commerce Street Bridge stands a 175‑year‑old “living legend” — a historic pecan tree that has survived floods, bridges, levees, and modern construction. Recognized by the Texas Historic Tree Coalition in 2023, it has now been honored with a permanent designation plaque through a partnership between FWADG and the Trinity Park Conservancy. The two organizations continue to manage the tree’s condition to ensure its long- term health.

FWADG was instrumental in ensuring the development of a robust commercial and civic community through spearheading passage of PD 714. This landmark set of regulations ensures future development along the corridor is designed to meet the needs of the community "…to create a more balanced mix of neighborhood friendly development; improve and support the overall stability of existing single family residential neighborhoods that abut the corridor; incorporate high quality development and redevelopment; enhance pedestrian connections between neighborhoods across the corridor; respect the value of historic properties; and address infrastructure and transportation needs."

After years of planning, a Sprouts Farmers Market was proposed for the corner of Hampton Road and Fort Worth Avenue. Because the initial site plan did not comply with PD714, FWADG collaborated closely with the developer to resolve multiple design challenges. Through community meetings and a neighborhood survey, FWADG helped shape an acceptable plan that met zoning requirements and community expectations. Construction moved forward, and the new Sprouts opened in June 2025.

Creating a welcoming, visually appealing environment for residents, visitors, and business owners is essential to building a community where people feel proud to live, work, and explore. Launched by FWADG in 2011, Spare pARTS is a public art program celebrating creativity through repurposed materials and vibrant street life along Fort Worth Avenue. Each year, FWADG issued an open call for submissions, with a jury selecting a local artist to create a commissioned piece for installation in a public space along the corridor. Many of these works remain on display today—enduring well beyond their expected lifespan in the Dallas climate. FWADG continues to champion these efforts, enhancing the corridor’s beauty and inviting businesses, residents, and visitors to enjoy its evolving public spaces.

In 2011, FWADG assumed responsibility for the maintenance of Western Heights Cemetery on Fort Worth Avenue. Recognizing both the cemetery’s historical significance and the need for sustained restoration and environmental improvement, the organization launched dedicated fundraising efforts to support this important work. In 2025 the Western Heights Cemetery Association was formed to provide long-term oversight to the cemetery.

In January 2012, FWADG partnered with the City of Dallas to install bike lanes along Fort Worth Avenue from Edgefield to Sylvan. Completed in 2013, the project reduced the roadway from six lanes to four—a first for DFW. Comparable projects in other cities have shown increases in retail tax revenue of up to 50%, along with reductions in accidents, lower pollution levels, and expanded opportunities for community recreation. Since then, bicycle lanes have extended west to Bahama Drive and east beyond Beckley, linking Fort Worth Avenue to the Trinity Skyline Trail, the I‑30 pedestrian bridge, Coombs Creek Trail, and the broader trail network.