Unlike Dallas and its constant struggle over how to handle the Trinity River, Fort Worth embraced its water source by erecting along its banks apartments, a pavilion for concerts, running trails and coming in the summer of 2017, The River District, a new entertainment district carefully plotted against the Trinity. Fort Worth: 1. Dallas: 0.

Located three miles west of downtown Fort Worth will be a first for the city — a mixed use development covering 276 acres of neglected landscape. According to the press release, The River District will be “an upscale residential and commercial community designed to realize the full potential of a culturally, historically and naturally rich area in Fort Worth’s beloved Westside.”

“Fort Worth doesn’t need just another build project,” says Chris Powers, CEO of Fort Capital and one of the developers behind The River District. “We need more neighborhoods surrounding our river, more social spots, more unique restaurants and businesses and more walkable areas in our city. The River District will offer amenities you can’t find anywhere else in Fort Worth while making great use of the natural resources we have and helping build up a long-time community.”

In addition to this sprawling development will be Crystal Springs on the River, which will include an amphitheater for live music, shopping district, restaurants and access to the river. Lake | Flato, a Texas-based architectural firm, has been tapped to come up with this design, with a goal to sustain a relatively natural setting.

“The teams behind The River District have been planning this area for several years, and we’re excited to finally share the news,” Powers says. “One of the most unique parts about The River District: It’s a natural peninsula formed by the river. So it’s designed to be a tight-knit community – of residents, foodies, music lovers and active families. We need more of that in Fort Worth: engaging communities."

Fort Worth's current dining layout hasn't really been helping the city's scene grow, Powers says. "... Fort Worth is a great place for chef-driven restaurants — and these sorts of businesses are doing really well — but right now they’re scattered throughout the city," he said. "The River District will be a destination where you can find eclectic and chef-driven restaurants all in one place and in a naturally beautiful environment alongside the river. We’re really excited about what this will mean for Fort Worth’s food scene.”

The only tenant confirmed so far is Lower Greenville's very own Truck Yard, but more Dallas businesses could start expanding into these new Fort Worth territories. “For the next several months we’re looking for the right restaurants and businesses," Powers says. "There is a lot of potential opportunity, so we’re open to the possibilities and want people to bring us their ideas. Everything is all on the table."

Imagine that — a city breathing life into its natural geography. Your move, Dallas.

