Shanna Cate, Trinity River Vision

This morning we visited Trinity River Vision in downtown Fort Worth, where Shanna Cate gave a powerpoint presentation TRV's master plans for Fort Worth. The TRV was created by the Trinity River Water District specifically to address the water needs of Fort Worth (and not its many other projects in the water district). Ultimate, the TRV seeks to work with the city, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other entities to pool resources and use Trinity River water projects to fuel mixed use development throughout the city.

Of the many projects that TRV is involved in, the most intricate is the Panther Island project, which seeks to create a new channel near downtown Fort Worth. This channel will divert water in the case of a flood and allow the city to develop closer to the existing levee, since it will not be as necessary for flood control. After the channel is built, the private enterprise will develop the area into a mixed use urban center, and it is hoped that canals similar in appearance to the San Antonio Riverwalk will be built, both for further flood control and to improve the aesthetics of the district.

The entire project won't be completed for about ten years, so the TRV has come up with some creative ways to use the Panther Island space in the meantime. They have created Panther Island Pavilion, a paddle boating, swimming area, and event center that holds concerts and other events. They have also brought in Coyote Drive In Theater, a theater with a screen that can be moved as land in the area is developed. In addition to being temporary community centers, these temporary uses help advertise the Panther Island development.

Another important project is Gateway Park, where the TRV feels it has a lot of land that is not being utilized. The plan is to first develop this land for flood storage and then further develop the area as a park.

One of the more ambitious projects is the Trinity River Vision Experience, which seeks to put more trails in neighborhood parks that are along the Trinity River. Such development has been shown to reduce crime, as in the case of Cobb Park, and increases property values.

If I had money to invest, I might consider investing in a Panther Island area business. The plan seems perfect for the downtown area as it allows for better flood control and creates a whole new space that can be utilized for mixed use development. I am sure that property values will soar in the area when the project is completed and will spur more tourism for the greater Fort Worth area.