Panther Island
Fort Worth has seen record growth in recent years, becoming the 13th largest and fastest growing large city in the U.S. The redevelopment of Panther Island in Fort Worth provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support enhanced quality of life and economic growth with a focus on inclusivity and resiliency. Ensuring continuous public access to the Trinity River is a key priority of Panther Island, with signature public spaces and pathways integrated along the canals and waterfront. One of the country’s largest developments lying within close proximity to a top U.S. city, Panther Island will offer access to high quality public spaces, waterfronts, mobility, and a mix of building uses and experiences to live, work, entertain, dine, and play.
This is an unprecedented opportunity to help shape one of the most significant urban redevelopment projects in Texas, in one of the fastest-growing cities in AmericaLeah King
President of the Tarrant Regional Water District Board
Boardwalk Edge
Public access to the waterfront was a key community priority, and the boardwalk condition demonstrated how even modest building setbacks can create a highly active public realm along the river. By pulling development slightly back from the water’s edge, a continuous boardwalk accommodates pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining clear views to the Trinity River. This condition supports everyday movement, informal gathering, and lingering along the water, reinforcing the riverfront as a shared civic space rather than a private edge.
Active Edge
In select locations, the waterfront becomes a highly activated edge where building and public space directly engage the river to create a vibrant and memorable experience. Restaurants and destination uses are designed to project toward the water, incorporating docks, terraces, and outdoor seating that extend into the river. These moments blur the line between land and water, encouraging interaction with the river and establishing lively nodes of activity that anchor the waterfront as a place for socializing, dining, and celebration.
Natural Edge
Public access to the waterfront was a key community priority. The plan ensured continuous access around the island through a mix of connected trails, parks, boardwalks, and gathering spaces. These varied edges offer opportunities for recreation, shopping and dining, and everyday enjoyment -inviting people to engage with the water in ways that celebrate Fort Worth’s unique positioning on the Trinity River.
Park Edge
At key locations, development parcels intentionally pull back to create destination waterfront parks that serve as major public gathering spaces. These park edges prioritize active programming with lawns, plazas, play areas, boat rentals, and event spaces that attract visitors throughout the day. By framing the river with highly activated and flexible park spaces, this condition reinforces the waterfront as a regional destination and a central component of community life.
As Fort Worth’s front porch, Panther Island will offer a mixed-use environment that connects the city’s neighborhoods in a unique waterfront community.Leah King
President of the Tarrant Regional Water District Board
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s flood control project includes a new bypass channel the redirects floodwaters away from flood-prone areas. In a flood event, three gates close to divert water through the channel, protecting both Downtown and Panther Island. When the project is completed, the protection it provides will open up Panther Island for development and allow the existing levee system to be removed.
Bypass Channel Edge
Along Panther Island’s northwest edge, the bypass channel flood wall creates a significant grade change between the district and the top of the wall, and the water’s edge. In this condition, a parking structure serves as a transition element, accommodating elevation changes while maintaining an active edge along both the street and bypass channel upper promenade.
Bypass Channel Edge
In areas where direct connections are needed, stairways provide clear access from the street to the bypass channel promenade. These stairs increase permeability along the flood wall edge and reinforce connectivity between the district and the water.
Bypass Channel Edge
Buildings along the flood wall edge can also facilitate vertical transitions between the district and the promenade. Ground floors align with street level, while the second floor connects directly to the bypass. Building elevators can facilitate access between the two, adding an accessible route for people of all abilities.
Bypass Channel Edge
In select areas, landscape is used to bridge the elevation change created by the flood wall. Park spaces gently slope upward from the district to the top of the wall, transforming necessary grade changes into usable open space. This approach softens the flood wall edge and creates an inviting, public connection between the district and the bypass channel.
Open Space Network
Panther Island envisions a distributed open space network that dedicates 15% of the district to 14 interconnected public spaces, creating vibrant, accessible riverfront destinations. A continuous public waterfront with parks, promenades, plazas, and canals is linked within a five-minute walk, encouraging discovery, community activity, and engagement with the river while supporting phased implementation over time.
Waterfront Conditions
Panther Island’s water network delivers a continuous, publicly accessible waterfront of parks, promenades, plazas, and marinas that encourage engagement with the river, canals, and interior lake. Active canals serve both as pedestrian spines and stormwater systems, supporting a mix of public and private uses, while signature destinations like Panther Lake and bypass channel parks connect the island to surrounding neighborhoods through linear greenspaces and urban promenades.
Road Network
Panther Island’s vision proposes a more efficient, connected road network with a clear hierarchy of streets that prioritizes pedestrians and creates safe, engaging public realms. Reconfigured roadways and diverse street typologies—including a transit-minded Texas Main Street, the 4th Street Green Street, a reimagined east–west Panther Boulevard, and internal ring roads—strengthen connections across the north and south islands and surrounding neighborhoods.
Parking & Garage Entry Strategies
To create iconic, pedestrian-focused streets, parking garage entrances should be restricted along N Main Street, 4th Street, and Panther Boulevard, with access provided from side streets or easements. Entrances off the ring road and select spots on Panther Boulevard should also be minimized wherever possible.
Transit Network
The plan envisions a transit-oriented, walkable, mixed-use community with multiple mobility options connecting the district to surrounding neighborhoods. A high-capacity transit spine along North Main Street or a parallel route would link Downtown to the Stockyards and Northside Station, supported by internal circulatory connections to riverfront open spaces. Trinity Metro’s rebranded Route 15 bus line would further enhance visibility and encourage use along this key corridor.
Pedestrian Network
Panther Island envisions a walkable, human-scaled district emphasizing accessibility and inclusion, with streets, canals, and pedestrian corridors connecting open spaces and the waterfront. A north-south pedestrian spine links downtown, the TCC campus, and waterfront areas, while mid-block connections, alleyways, and the ‘Green Connector’ promenade enhance east-west walkability. Canals serve as linear pedestrian spines, and future pedestrian bridges improve access to surrounding neighborhoods and riverfront greenspaces.
Bike Network
Panther Island envisions a bicycle-friendly district with a robust network of dedicated and shared lanes connecting open spaces, riverfront trails, and district amenities. North-south cycle tracks link downtown, the TCC campus, and riverfront areas, while bridges and shared-use paths provide safe, accessible connections to surrounding neighborhoods and waterfront experiences.
Cultural / Community / Amenity Anchors
Panther Island’s neighborhood anchors and public amenities serve as sub-district nodes, providing community-focused programs, access to open spaces, and waterfront destinations. Iconic architecture and cultural or historic buildings honor Fort Worth’s identity, while strategically placed amenities and catalyst developments stimulate economic growth and activate the north island mobility loop and south island waterfront promenade.
Infrastructure - Utilities (Electricity)
Panther Island’s electricity infrastructure plan includes rerouting existing transmission lines and adding new ones integrated into the levee along the future ring road. Key power lines may be moved underground to support development, enhancing reliability and aesthetics. This approach balances infrastructure needs with urban growth while maintaining connectivity to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Infrastructure - Utilities (Stormwater)
Panther Island’s stormwater plan combines existing and proposed drains with new canals for effective stormwater management. Developer-funded storm drains complement those relocated and funded by the Fort Worth Central City project due to bypass channel construction, supporting future development and improved drainage across the district.
Infrastructure - Utilities (Water)
The water infrastructure plan for Panther Island outlines upgrades and expansions to existing water mains and branch lines to support future growth. Key improvements include upgrading select water lines to 12 inches for additional capacity, installing a 36-inch section under the bypass channel, and lowering water mains in certain areas. Funding for these upgrades comes from developers and the Fort Worth Central City project, ensuring enhanced water delivery and reliability across the district and surrounding neighborhoods.
Infrastructure - Utilities (Wastewater)
The proposal modernizes the wastewater system with new and expanded sewer mains to support future development. Larger-capacity lines are routed to serve redevelopment areas and align with the bypass channel and canals, emphasizing improved connectivity, increased capacity, and coordination with flood management and long-term growth in Panther Island.
Panther Island
Consultants
Project Management, Real Estate Analysis & Strategy: HR&A Advisors
Community Engagement: K-Strategies
- Civil Engineering: Salcedo Group