Fort Worth’s Main Street districts share three-year update

The City of Fort Worth's two Main Street America pilot districts recently gave an update to City Council on their progress revitalizing their respective commercial corridors over the past three years.

Polytechnic Heights and Historic Northside - which are currently managed by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Texas Wesleyan University, respectively - were selected to participate in the City's partnership with Main Street America in 2022 following a competitive RFP process. Funding for both pilot districts was extended by another two years in June 2025.

As part of the pilot program, Main Street America provided both districts with training in community asset mapping, volunteer recruitment, zoning and development, and how to create a transformation strategy for their communities. Additionally, the Fort Worth Local Development Corporation (LDC) provided each district with $270,000 in funding for administration costs and project implementation.

The pilot program was intended to increase stakeholder involvement in each community and support the execution of priority projects, while also building a strong foundation for each district to stand up fully structured, sustainable organizations to support their communities long-term - including obtaining external investment beyond the initial funding provided by the City.

Polytechnic Heights

Management of the Poly Main Street program transitioned to Texas Wesleyan University last year, where it has been championed by Dr. Dwala Chandler, Texas Wesleyan's director of service learning and the program coordinator for Poly Main Street.

Chandler has pioneered an innovative "anchor institution model" for the Poly Main Street district, launching a community-based project management course at Texas Wesleyan to help build workforce and leadership pipelines that embed local students in the community's revitalization efforts long-term.

"Everything we do, from beautification to communication, is about honoring the legacy of Polytechnic Heights while creating real opportunity moving forward," Chandler said. "We are working towards a vibrant mixed-use district that supports entrepreneurship, celebrates identity and creates generational growth."

The district has completed the development of their Transformation Strategy in collaboration with Main Street America, established bylaws for operations and has stood up a nonprofit foundation to lead fundraising efforts. Additionally, a logo design contest was held to engage community stakeholders in helping create the community's visual identity.

Boards have been established to help implement Main Street's Four-Point Approach, and several small business support programs are being developed through Texas Wesleyan's Jack Morton Business Accelerator.

Additionally, the Poly Main Street team is assisting in the revitalization of two commercial buildings in the neighborhood and is advancing a proposal for a proposed outdoor fitness court and community gathering place. Texas Wesleyan was also recently selected as a 2025 American Express Neighborhood Champion based on their "Shop Small" efforts.

Historic Northside

The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce manages and administers the Historic Northside's Main Street district, where Dee Lara O'Neal serves as the program coordinator.

"Over the past three years, we've really worked to refine a vision that reflects a shared identity for the corridor," O'Neal said.

"What we keep hearing, and what we're working towards, is a Northside known for celebrating its vibrant culture, its history of entrepreneurship and small businesses, and shared stewardship of the community where growth and change supports the neighborhood, includes residents and welcomes visitors."

Since becoming established, the Historic Northside district has created an advisory board with five working committees, including a community action committee. The district has also initiated rezoning efforts, completed several beautification projects and is currently exploring the creation of a public improvement district (PID) for the area.

So far, 14 projects are either planned, underway or have been completed in the Historic Northside, representing more than $84 million in capital investment and 302 jobs. Additionally, the district's events have drawn more than 24,000 visitors to the area over the past three years, with the neighborhood's annual Sonidos del Summer concert series alone drawing more than 10,000 attendees.

The Historic Northside district has also been fundraising. Smaller events have raised $7,500 in event sponsorships and generated $10,000 for local businesses, and another $535,584 has been raised over the past three years independent of the City's initial funding. Most recently, the Historic Northside received a $250,000 multiyear grant from the North Texas Community Foundation in support of their work.

The Historic Northside district is currently collaborating with Freese & Nichols and Ash+Lime on strategic planning and is working toward incorporation as an independent nonprofit to support the community's long-term stewardship and governance.

Photo: City councilmembers, community stakeholders and City staff celebrate the accomplishments of the Polytechnic and Historic Southside Main Street districts.