Mid City Times

Two buildings in the former Butler Place public housing community and a nearby school that served Fort Worth’s Black community for decades will be preserved as Historic and Cultural Landmarks. The City Council recently approved the designations, sought by owner Fort Worth Housing Solutions. The City’s Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission had approved the designations in February.

The City and Fort Worth Housing Solutions negotiated a memorandum of agreement with the Texas State Historic Preservation officer for the designation as a way to mitigate adverse impacts of redevelopment on historic resources associated with Butler Place.

Fort Worth Housing Solutions plans to sell the property for redevelopment. With this designation, the property will be eligible for a 10-year property tax freeze if substantial rehabilitation projects are undertaken on the structures. Additionally, properties will qualify for state and federal preservation tax credits if rehabilitation is conducted. However, any exterior work to the property must adhere to Secretary of the Interior standards and receive approval from either the Landmarks Commission or the City’s historic preservation officer.

The last residents of Butler Place moved out in 2020. Fort Worth Housing Solutions intends to proceed with selling the property for redevelopment purposes.

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