In 2016, Townsite, LLC in collaboration with Good Fulton & Farrell, was retained by Fort Capital, LP and area stakeholders to host visioning workshops and to produce a masterplan for the River District. The first task of this planning effort involved numerous field investigations to document River District resources, significant features, connectivity, infrastructure, buildings of architectural significance, under-served facilities, and river access.

In September of 2016, team members conducted public workshops with key stakeholder groups. Organizers supervised open discussions and documented the participants’ ideas and concerns for the future of the River District. Specific elements addressed included land use proximities, traffic and transportation, pedestrian safety, public infrastructure, parks and open spaces, trail access, future growth, parking, and flooding. Attendees included leadership and representatives from the following groups:

• District Property Owners
• District Business Owners
• Riverbend Neighborhood Association
• City Council
• Living Water Church
• Local Architects
• Local Developers
• Local Homebuilders
• City of Fort Worth Planning and Development Department

Workshop team members then summarized the key topics that were identified by district stakeholders and consulted with the affected policy makers, public entities, and official review bodies in a follow-up work session on feasibility, resource impact, ordinance conflict, legality, and alignment with existing City and regional plans. Attendees included leadership and representatives from the following groups:

• City of Fort Worth Planning and Development Department
• City of Fort Worth City Manager Office
• City of Fort Worth Economic Development Department
• City of Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works Department
• City of Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Department
• City of Fort Worth Storm Water (T/PW Department)
• City of Fort Worth Water Department
• Streams and Valleys, Inc.
• Trinity River Vision
• Tarrant Regional Water District

With an understanding of the current issues and future concerns of the River District, a set of guiding principles was generated to inform the development of a Land Use Plan, a Regulating Plan and Roadway Sections, an Illustrative Master Plan, an Attributes and Opportunities Map, and a Summary of Adaptive Reuse Opportunities. The Land Use Plan has since been utilized in updating the City of Fort Worth Future Land Use Plan and provides direction in ongoing District zoning requests.

In 2018, River District FW, Inc. initiated the next phase of District organization by retaining Urbanworth, LLC to further document the results of the 2016 workshops and prepare a Strategic Plan for the River District. The Plan includes a preliminary implementation structure and strategy, identifying funding mechanisms for public improvements, events, and the ongoing duties of the non-profit. The recommendations and projects set forth in the plan present a conceptual direction to achieve the revitalization and new development goals of the District.

The Strategic Plan will be a guide to decision-making based upon the goals and objectives established during the planning process. Implementation of specific recommendations will require the support and approval by affected institutions, businesses, individuals, and relevant governmental agencies. The details of the plan will change as specific recommendations move forward to implementation. The purpose of this planning process has been to present the overall guiding development principles on which to base decision-making within the District.

Additionally, River District FW, Inc. engaged Urbanworth, LLC to produce the River District Form-Based Code, a comprehensive zoning category establishing zoning standards and guidelines to be applied to the entire district. Informed by the Strategic Plan, Urbanworth worked with a Development Committee consisting of area stakeholders and City planning staff to document criteria through which the River District could achieve their master vision.