A proposal to rezone 15.4 acres on Panther Island near downtown Fort Worth is under consideration, which could allow for buildings up to 15 stories tall. The rezoning would affect land between North Commerce Street and the planned Ring Road, as well as between Northeast Fourth and Fifth streets, close to the Coyote Drive-In site at 223 NE Fourth Street. The Fort Worth Zoning Commission will review the proposal this week, with a City Council vote scheduled for October 21.
The current zoning in the area generally restricts developments to five stories. If approved, the new zoning would permit taller structures within mixed-use projects, following guidelines set by the city’s form-based code and canal-centered master plan.
Efforts to develop Panther Island have been ongoing for years. The district covers about 500 acres of mostly undeveloped land just north of downtown and includes both public and private parcels. The vision for Panther Island includes significant investments exceeding $1.1 billion and features a new canal system designed to address flood risks.
A report prepared last year by HR&A Advisors and Lake Flato architects outlined how a network of canals would connect two branches of the Trinity River north of NW 8th Street. In 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated $403 million for flood control measures on Panther Island, enabling further development opportunities.
According to consultants, some areas within the northern part of Panther Island could be developed before all flood control improvements are completed. They divided the island into zones to prioritize which sections should be developed first.
The initial phase may focus on approximately 12 acres along North Main Street that have been identified as high-impact areas suitable for early development. Recent changes in zoning there increased height limits to 20 stories and removed restrictions on building floor plate sizes.
Susan Alanis, program director for Panther Island at the Tarrant Regional Water District, said last month that “the rezoning sets the stage for the first phase of canal construction, slated to start next year.” A request for quotes from developers interested in designing and building the canal system is expected later this fall.
Private investment has been limited since Encore apartments—a complex with around 300 units featuring its own man-made waterway—opened in 2018. City officials have gradually revised zoning regulations across Panther Island over recent years in an effort to promote higher-density construction.
If this latest rezoning measure passes, it could help spur redevelopment in northeast Panther Island as Fort Worth seeks to move forward with construction after years of planning.
