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Friends and Neighbors,
I truly hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with good food, great company, and moments of gratitude. As the year draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the time we’ve shared and look forward to the promise of the New Year.
Our team had the privilege of visiting 11 neighborhoods during National Night Out, which was a fantastic opportunity to connect personally with so many of you. We also focused on empowering our local neighborhood advocates by hosting our inaugural Neighborhood Association Leaders Dinner. This dinner fostered new relationships and encouraged collaboration across our community. Additionally, I was honored to work alongside the Rosemont Neighborhood Association to help initiate a council-led rezoning necessary to protect the integrity and character of this single-family neighborhood.
Looking ahead to 2026, I am filled with optimism and renewed determination for District 11. My primary goal for the New Year is to focus on making tangible improvements in our District. I will continue to advocate for several of your infrastructure, recreation, and safety projects on the FY2026 Bond Program and in the Spring, I plan to host another Town Hall meeting.
With your active participation, insightful feedback, and your passion for our community, I believe we can achieve our goal of enhancing District 11 for all. As always, continue utilizing the MyFW app and 311 Call Center to report any issues or violations in your neighborhood. You may also call the District 11 office at 817-392-8811 if you have any concerns.
From my family to yours, I wish you a very joyous holiday season, and a Happy New Year! Let's make 2026 the best year yet for our district.
With humility and gratitude,
Jeanette Martinez
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RIVERWALK RESIDENCES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES TEXAS ARBOR DAY
Article contributed by:
AJ Jackson | RRNA President
Members of the Riverwalk Residences Neighborhood Association came out on November 7th to support our community at the Arbor Day tree planting event. Our group was proud to help plant new trees along the 4th Street Trailhead, and demonstrate the kind of teamwork and care that really represents our neighborhood.
The event was hosted by Leah King and the Trinity River Water District (TRWD) as part of their ongoing work to improve and beautify the trail system. These new trees will bring much needed shade, make the area more inviting, and add to the overall experience along the river.
Many of us have been hoping for more shading and greenery in that area, so seeing this finally come to life feels like a real win for the community. Thank you to everyone who came out to support [the event]. We’re grateful to TRWD for making it happen, and glad our neighborhood could be a part of it!
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COMING TO RIVERSIDE: SYLVANIA BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
The Riverside area is set to receive a significant infrastructure upgrade with the upcoming Sylvania Bridge Replacement Project. This Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) project will improve mobility and safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
Construction project (CSJ 0363-03-060) includes elevating the Sylvania bridge over SH 121 and frontage road improvements within the North Tarrant Express (NTE) project limits.
Over the past two years, TxDOT has been acquiring the necessary right-of-way, and that process is near completion. TxDOT also anticipates finalizing construction negotiations soon and work is expected to begin early next year.
Once the construction agreement is officially signed, the NTE developer will take over management of the dedicated project website and will be the primary source for regular updates throughout the construction timeline.
Need More Information?
For residents and stakeholders seeking additional technical details about the design and engineering of the project, TxDOT has provided a direct contact:
Project Manager: Amanda McKittrick
Phone: 903-229-0156
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KINFOLK HOUSE
Last month, I had the privilege of touring Kinfolk House in Fort Worth's Polytechnic Heights neighborhood. This is a beautiful, powerful space that truly merges art with life and community.
Founded by internationally renowned local artists, Sedrick and Letitia Huckaby, Kinfolk House is a collaborative project housed within the artist’s familial 100-year-old historic home. The home was owned by Sedrick's grandmother, Hallie Beatrice Carpenter (known as "Big Momma"), who expressed her creativity through textiles, fashion, and music. Her creativity can be seen as the inspiration of Kinfolk House as it serves as a creative hub to uplift the beauty, talent, and culture of the Polytechnic neighborhood.
Kinfolk House has become a household name in our city and is known for its thought-provoking exhibitions and commitment to showcasing historically marginalized artists.
I’m so glad I took the time to experience this space, and I encourage you to come see it as well. It’s a true treasure in Poly and must-see highlight of District 11.
Kinfolk House is located at 1913 Wallace Street, Fort Worth, TX 76105. Visit their website for more information.
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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY NOW OPEN!
The Mexican American College Education Fund (MACE) is currently accepting applications to join the MACE Class of 2026. This is an incredible opportunity for students to join a network of people dedicated to education and individual growth.
MACE provides mentorship and support for Mexican American students seeking higher education. They also raise funds to provide college-bound students scholarships to assist with the cost of school tuition.
Applications are due by January 31, 2026.
To learn more about MACE or to apply for a scholarship please visit the MACE website.
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As winter temperatures drop, the City of Fort Worth has contingency plans to activate emergency shelters to protect individuals experiencing homelessness from the cold.
The emergency shelter is activated when regular shelters are full, and temperatures drop (35°F dry/ 40°F wet).
Individuals seeking shelter should report to the following emergency shelters first:
Individuals should go to:
- Union Gospel Mission, 1321 E. Lancaster Ave.
- Presbyterian Night Shelter, 2400 Cypress St.
Families should go to:
- The Salvation Army Mabee Center, 1855 E. Lancaster Ave.
If those shelters reach capacity, individuals seeking shelter are then directed to True Worth Place, 1513 E Presidio, to be transported to the overflow shelter location(s), which are pre-determined community center locations. The locations are not publicized because these are not walk-in sites and the locations vary.
The City of Fort Worth recognizes that transportation can be a significant barrier for individuals experiencing homelessness who need to reach an emergency shelter.
In anticipation of extreme cold weather events, the city distributes Trinity Metro bus passes to Police Officers (including the HOPE Team) and City partners to individuals traveling to shelters.
To check to see if the emergency overnight overflow shelter has been activated, call 311 and press 9.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF YOUR LIVE CHRISTMAS TREE
As the holiday season wraps up, make sure your live Christmas tree finds a second life through proper disposal! The city offers two convenient ways to discard your tree and help create beneficial mulch.
Residents may dispose of their trees as part of the normal weekly yard collection or take them to one of the city’s drop-off stations. Be sure to take all your decorations, lights and tree stands off the tree before disposing of them. Also, please note that trees must be less than 8 feet long. You may cut your tree in half if necessary to adhere to the size requirement.
Find your nearest drop-off station
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CEASE THE GREASE IN FORT WORTH
From now until January 25th, the City of Fort Worth will be participating in the regional 2025 Holiday Grease Roundup campaign, hosted by North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and accepting food fats, used cooking oils and grease for disposal.
When FOGs are poured down the drain, they can build up and harden in pipes, which can cause blockage, burst pipes, and home flooding.
Here’s how you can help:
• Collect all FOGs in a sealable container and take it to any of the City’s four Drop-Off Stations or the Environmental Collection Center.
• For grease that cannot be poured into a container, wipe with a paper towel to soak up the grease and put the paper towel in the trash.
• Scrape off excess food from pans and plates before washing them.
• Compost your food scraps instead or put them in the trash.
By recycling FOGs, you are diverting waste from landfills and utilizing valuable resources that can be turned into alternative fuels and ultimately helping to protect the environment.
79TH COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
On December 2nd, Fort Worth residents kick off the holiday season by participating in one of Fort Worth’s most cherished holiday traditions, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year’s tree traveled 1,207 miles from Michigan and stands 86 feet tall — the tallest live Christmas tree in Texas!
The City’s Christmas tree tradition was launched in 1947 by Fort Worth Star-Telegram publisher Amon Carter, who took great pride in ensuring the Fort Worth tree was always taller than the one in Washington, D.C. After decades in Burnett Park, the tree moved to Sundance Square in 2004, where the event continued to grow and brighten our downtown for nearly eight decades.
Whether you attended the official lighting or plan to go soon, a trip to the Sundance Square Tree is the perfect holiday tradition for friends and family.
Events at Sundance Square.
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SOUTHEAST CONNECTOR PROJECT: ADDRESSING CONGESTION AND IMPROVING SAFETY IN FORT WORTH
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been actively working on Southeast Connector Project, a major Design-Build (DB) initiative aimed at significantly improving mobility, safety, and congestion along a vital 16-mile corridor in Fort Worth. This project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Improvement areas include:
I-20 (from Forest Hill Drive to Little Road)
- Adding one general purpose lane (GPL) and new 4-lane collector-distributor (CD) roads in each direction, along with reconstruction and realignment of the I-20/US 287 interchange
I-820 (from I-20 to Brentwood Stair Road)
- Adding two GPLs and one frontage road lane in each direction, alongside reconstruction
US 287 (from Bishop Street to Sublett Road)
- Adding one GPL in each direction, including reconstruction and realignment work.
Project Update: Closure of the Sun Valley Drive bridge over I-820 began on November 19, with demolition starting December 6. Reconstruction is expected to be completed within a year. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to make a U-turn on Martin Street, and westbound traffic will be detoured to make a U-turn on Business 287.
For more information on closures and detours visit the Southeast Connector webpage or sign up for Text Alerts by texting "SEC" to 817-518-7555.
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WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON
You’re invited to join a virtual community construction meeting to discuss planned water and wastewater improvements in Districts 8, 9, and 11. The existing water and sanitary sewer mains will be replaced along several streets throughout the city.
District 11 Improvements:
• Oakland Boulevard from 255 feet north Lancaster Avenue to north 875 feet (sewer)
• Pate Drive from Hardeman Street to Killian Street (water and sewer)
• Briarwood Lane from Jenson Road to Wilson Road (water and sewer)
• Easement south of Meadowbrook Drive from a location on Sargent Street/615 feet south of the Meadowbrook Drive/Sargent Street intersection to east 255 feet (sewer)
• Easement between Oakland Boulevard and Sargent Street from 255 feet north of East Lancaster Avenue to north 120 feet (sewer)
• Easement north of Lancaster Avenue from a location on Oakland Boulevard - 240 feet north of the Lancaster Avenue/Oakland Boulevard intersection, then to the west 500 feet to Sargent Avenue (sewer)
These segments are in the Central Meadowbrook neighborhood association, West Meadowbrook, Neighborhoods of East Fort Worth and Fairhaven neighborhood association areas.
I encourage you to join this meeting to learn more about the upcoming construction and how it may affect you.
Meeting Information:
December 15, 2026, 6:00 PM
Join the Teams Meeting
Meeting ID: 226 819 354 843 84
Passcode: DY6xG2BS
Dial in by phone: +1 682-207-4657,,240903126#
Phone conference ID: 240 903 126#
Project Contact: Dena Johnson | Dena.Johnson@FortWorthTexas.gov
View a full list of improvements, maps, and learn more.
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Here are proposed zoning changes that will be coming before City Council in District 11 neighborhoods. To seize the opportunity for your voice to be heard, I encourage you to sign up for zoning notifications and attend upcoming Zoning Commission or the designated City Council Meetings. Sign up here. You can learn more about the Zoning process here.
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NEAR SOUTHSIDE
Approved on Dec. 9
POLY HEIGHTS SOUTH
Council Jan. 13
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ROSEMONT
Approved on Dec. 9
LEARN MORE
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Check out what's going on at your local library!
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My Fort Worth (MyFW) is the official app for residents and visitors to quickly and easily report issues to the City.
LINK: MyFW
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CITY CALL CENTER
Fort Worth has added 311 to the list of ways to contact the City Call Center.
Residents are now able to call either 311 or the 10-digit number 817-392-1234 to reach City services. 311, a free nonemergency line, can only be dialed from a wireless device and must be called from within Fort Worth city limits.
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2-1-1 TEXAS
2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is committed to helping individuals connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, our goal is to present accurate, well-organized and easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs. 2-1-1 Texas is a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community. Whether you need help finding food or housing, child care, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment, one number is all you need to know.
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988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
People can call or text 988 or chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. You can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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TEXAS EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH (TEHCY) PROGRAM
The TEHCY Program leads the way in ensuring that all students experiencing homelessness in Texas have equal access to a free and quality education under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. TEHCY provides critical leadership, resources, and support to help schools meet the unique needs of McKinney-Vento eligible students.
TEHCY Support Hotline
Families and educators can call 1-855-85TEHCY (1-855-858-3429)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 AM –3:30 PM
Intake Form: TEHCY Support Intake
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