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National Cowgirl Museum seeks $6.5 million from Fort Worth Community Partnership Fund for expansion
Summary
Museum leaders told council they have raised $13.5 million in private funds and requested a $6.5 million city contribution from the Community Partnership Fund to build a 16,000‑sq‑ft expansion facing Alice Walton Park and create galleries and event space.
Pat Riley, executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and project manager Wiley Daley outlined a planned expansion to flip the museum’s entrance toward Alice Walton Cowgirl Park, add about 16,000 square feet of new galleries and create a flexible second‑floor event/gallery space.
Funding and request: Project leaders said they have raised more than $13.5 million privately and expect construction costs of about $17.5 million with owner contingency. The museum asked the city to consider a $6.5 million contribution from the Community Partnership Fund; staff recommended returning to council with a resolution of support and, if funds are available, a later M&C to authorize payment.
Why it matters: The museum said the expansion will improve visitor access from the Dickies Arena/cultural district area, add four gallery spaces to support K‑12 TEKS requirements, improve parking access and create rentable event space that the district currently lacks.
Timeline and partners: The project team said design documents are complete and that permitting is approved; enabling work is underway with an intended construction start in late May and an estimated completion in August 2026 for construction, with exhibits installed and a tentative grand opening in November 2026. Local design firms (Project Teal, Ewing Cole, Lindbeck) and the Projects Group are involved.
Council discussion: Staff said if funds are identified the city would bring an M&C for council approval; council members asked to see the request during the budget process and discussed city priorities. Councilmember Hill and others framed the proposal as private‑public leveraging that could increase tourism and economic impact in the cultural district.
Ending: Staff will return with a formal resolution of support and seek identified funding during FY25 carryforward or the FY26 budget process if revenues permit.
