Downtown Fort Worth Inc. said some parts of the area's economy have now surged beyond levels from before the pandemic. The organization released its annual "State of Downtown" report Tuesday.
"All of downtown's primary land uses are accelerating: residential, office, restaurant and retail, entertainment, hospitality," said Downtown Fort Worth Inc. President Andy Taft.
The organization says 8,685 people now live in Downtown Fort Worth, and 3,257 additional apartments, condos and townhomes are planned or under construction. Downtown Fort Worth Inc says 90% of apartments are occupied, "significantly above its pre-pandemic level of 73% in Q1 2019."
Of those residents, 41% are younger than 40. The percentage of residents with a bachelor's or graduate degree are both higher than the national average.
The area has 13.6 million square feet of office space, and offices are at 88% occupancy.
In addition to new office and residential space, Texas A&M has started construction on its $300 million expansion. A $400 million expansion of the convention center is also planned.
The expansion of the convention center will straighten Commerce Street and add a hotel with at least 600 rooms.
Omni Hotel plans an expansion, adding 400 rooms. Three other projects are currently under construction. All five projects will add a total of 1,538 rooms downtown.
"We are vying for a national reputation downtown so we can be more effective when we're trying to recruit businesses into North Texas," Taft said.
"Downtown Fort Worth has all of these great traffic-drivers and all these great identities that come with being in the center of Fort Worth," said Johnny Campbell, chief executive of City Center Fort Worth.
Campbell said Downtown Fort Worth has worked to draw larger events but also maintain small businesses so visitors can experience the city. He says small businesses can also provide shops, restaurants and activities within walking distance for people who live downtown.
"Everyone in Fort Worth works together in a way I've just never seen anywhere before," he said. "There's not a magic bullet that creates a great city. What creates a great city is the people of the city and all the people working together to make that happen."
Campbell and Taft said Trinity Metro contributes to growth by providing simple access to neighborhoods surrounding downtown, including the Near Southside, West 7th and the Cultural District. The Dash runs from Downtown, past W 7th to the Cultural District. Molly the Trolley runs from the convention center to Fort Worth Central Station and to Sundance Square. ZIPZONE serves the Near Southside as far north as T&P Station.
Trinity Metro said TEXRail ridership set a record in December 2022 with 61,689 passengers, a 16% increase from December 2021. The line from T&P Station in Downtown Fort Worth to DFW Airport opened in January 2019.
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