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Council approves Tax Increment Finance district for Farrington area to fund stormwater, preservation
Summary
The Fort Worth City Council voted to create a tax increment finance (TIF) district covering the Farrington corridor, a move council members said is aimed primarily at stormwater and flood-control work while preserving Farrington Field.
The Fort Worth City Council on June 10 approved creation of a tax increment finance district covering the Farrington area to support stormwater and preservation work.
Council member Elizabeth Beck, who moved the measure, said the TIF would allow the city to shape development along the West Seventh/Farrington corridor and help preserve Farrington Field. "As we do that as a city, it's imperative that we do that deliberately," Beck said before making the motion.
The move drew praise from preservation advocates who had pushed for a solution that would protect the 1938 Farrington Field and its adjoining Billingsley Field House, both listed in the National Register of Historic Places. "I have come to thank you for your work that explores a partnership with the Fort Worth Independent School District to find a path forward for Farrington Field to be renovated and upgraded according to the design guidelines of the secretary of the interior," said Jeri Tracy, executive director of Historic Fort Worth Inc.
Evan Farrington, grandson and namesake of E.S. Farrington, told the council the stadium ‘‘stands as a testament to numerous victories, pride, and exceptional art and architecture’’ and described its long local history.
Council member Hill emphasized the TIF's primary purpose. "This TIF primarily is created for stormwater and flood control, and I just wanna make sure that we're clear on that," Hill said during discussion. Beck and Hill both said they would monitor future projects brought into the TIF to ensure they match the district's stated aims and avoid unintended development impacts.
Council members voted to approve the TIF; the motion carried. The council did not state a specific dollar total for the TIF in the hearing, nor did it set an immediate project list. Several speakers and council members said the TIF will be used to address long-standing stormwater problems in the corridor, in addition to supporting preservation-minded upgrades to Farrington Field and surrounding infrastructure.
Preservation groups and speakers urged the council to ensure the TIF does not divert school operating funds; Jeri Tracy told the council the proposed TIF "appears to not touch current academic or operations funding dedicated to the Fort Worth ISD." The council did not adopt any amendments that would change the district's effect on school operating revenue during the June 10 vote.
The council did not set a specific schedule for design or construction work at the meeting. Council members said future project proposals that would use TIF increments will be reviewed by the TIF board and the council, and that stormwater projects will be a priority.
Votes and next steps: Council member Elizabeth Beck moved to approve the TIF; a second was recorded as "not specified" on the meeting record. The motion carried. City staff will bring subsequent TIF project proposals and any required funding authorizations back to the council and the TIF board for approvals.
The action follows public testimony from Historic Fort Worth Inc. and descendants and supporters who described Farrington Field's cultural and architectural history and urged preservation-oriented development.
