|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope everyone is warm and safe after winter storm Fern swept through North Texas! These storms can be a challenge for our households and infrastructure, and I truly hope you and your families are faring well.
As we move into February, we begin our celebration of Black History Month to honor the leadership and contributions of the Black community that have shaped the very fabric of Fort Worth. I encourage everyone to support a local Black-owned business or attend an event that pays tribute to the history and legacy of the African-American culture.
Looking ahead, I ask you to save the date for the upcoming District 11 Town Hall on March 26. Representatives from various city departments will be on hand to provide updates and, most importantly, listen to your concerns. Whether it’s a question about a road project or an idea for community safety, this is your platform. If you have a specific topic you want covered at the Town Hall, please submit your ideas using this link.
Thank you for being such an active part of what makes District 11 and Fort Worth a wonderful place to call home. Stay safe, stay warm, and I look forward to seeing you in March!
With humility and gratitude
Jeanette Martinez
|
|
|
Citizenship Workshop
Are you or a loved one navigating the journey to U.S. naturalization or curious about dual citizenship? The District 11 office is hosting a Citizenship Workshop designed to provide attendees with expert guidance and essential resources.
- The Law Office of Jaime Barron will lead a presentation on the naturalization process, covering recent changes in laws and associated costs.
- Special guest Luis Rodriguez Bucio, the Mexican Consul General, will provide specific guidance on the birth registration process for people born abroad.
- Representatives from the Office of Police Oversight Monitor will be on-site to discuss your rights and best practices when interacting with law enforcement or officials.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 913 E. Seminary Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76115
For more information, please contact the District 11 office via email at district11@fortworthtexas.gov.
|
|
ARTSforward 2026
Arts Fort Worth announced the upcoming ARTSforward conference, a city-wide arts summit designed to ignite collaboration and fuel the creative engine of our community.
Taking place February 27-28, 2026, at Texas Wesleyan University, this immersive event will bridge the gap between inspiration and policy.
ARTSforward is more than just a 2-day conference; it’s a gathering of the minds for Artists, Performers, Creatives, Educators, and Advocates to discuss the economic and social impact of the arts in our neighborhoods.
The summit kicks off Friday, February 27th, with a Youth Summit and the Heart of Gold Reception, followed by a full day of panels and expert-led discussions on Saturday.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation. Secure your tickets today and help drive the arts forward in Fort Worth and beyond!
|
|
|
Celebrate Earth Day with D11 at Black Coffee
On Wednesday, April 22nd the District 11 office and the Fort Worth Environmental Services department invite you to celebrate Earth Day.
The City’s Crud Cruiser will be onsite to accept household hazardous waste to help you properly dispose of items that can harm our local water supply and environment.
Items you can bring for safe disposal include:
• Chemicals & Cleaners: Household detergents, drain cleaners, batteries, and pool chemicals.
• Paints & Supplies: Old paint cans, stains, and solvents (limit of 20 gallons per household).
• Automotive Fluids: Used motor oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid.
• Tires: Bring up to 4 old tires taking up space in the yard for proper recycling.
• Small Electronics: Printers, CD players, cords.
In addition to hazardous waste disposal, we are offering free paper shredding. Protect your identity by bringing old bank statements, tax forms, or any documents containing personal information. Your papers will be shredded on-site and recycled, keeping your data safe and the trees happy.
While you’re there, grab a signature latte from Black Coffee on us!
|
|
|
Community Volunteers Assist with Annual Homeless Count
By: AJ Jackson | Riverwalk Residences NA President
Just one night before the start of the region’s winter storm, volunteers across Tarrant County participated in the annual Point in Time Homeless Count. This nationwide effort, led locally by Project Home, takes place each year to help communities better understand the scope of homelessness, and also connect individuals with resources.
Members of the Riverwalk Residences and Oakhurst Neighborhood Associations teamed up with Judge Brent Carr and Central Division NPO Daren Merk to canvas the Riverside area of District 11, which included the Walmart and QT gas station near route 121.
Efforts like this play an important role in shaping future outreach and housing, and support programs across Fort Worth. It also reflects what’s possible when neighbors and community partners work together towards a shared goal.
|
|
|
|
To celebrate Black History Month, we look toward two distinct neighborhoods in Fort Worth that serve as monuments to local African-American history, land ownership, and community building.
Garden of Eden
Established after the Civil War, this settlement was a literal and figurative oasis for formerly enslaved people seeking land ownership and self-reliance.
Because this section of the Trinity River was prone to frequent flooding, the land was considered undesirable by white settlers. This lack of demand made the property more affordable and accessible for African-American families looking to establish roots.
The Loyd and Boaz families were the first to clear land in the area for farming, however the community's future shifted in 1879 with the arrival of Major Cheney. His marriage to Malinda Loyd established a lineage that would become the heart of the Garden of Eden legacy.
Major and Malinda Cheney built an estate over 300-acres where they grew crops, raised cattle, and eventually transformed the land into what would become the Garden of Eden. Descendants built homes on the land, and the community eventually housed a school and church.
Today, the Cheney Family Garden of Eden is a designated historical site. Though much of the original acreage has been lost to time and development, the descendants continue to maintain and live on the property, keeping the legacy of Black land ownership alive.
Greenway
While the Garden of Eden was born from the soil, Greenway was born from a vision of urban sophistication. Located less than 2 miles North of Downtown, Greenway emerged in the late 1940s and 1950s as a close-knit residential district for African-American professionals.
During a time when "redlining" restricted where Black families could live, Greenway stood as a defiant symbol of progress. Greenway became the preferred neighborhood for Fort Worth’s Black doctors, lawyers, professionals, and educators who were barred from other affluent neighborhoods.
Adjacent to the Greenway neighborhood was Greenway Park (1926). The City acquired 60.24 acres along the north side of East Belknap Street from L. L. Hawes for $15,662.40 in 1926 for the specific purpose creating a large park for the city’s African-American community. For many years, Greenway Park was the center of Juneteenth celebrations in Fort Worth. However, with the construction of I-35, Greenway has unfortunately become siloed, separated from the park and Downtown.
Through it's Neighborhood Association, Greenway remains a close-knit community. Local traditions like National Night Out at Delga Park help foster deep connections between residents. Today, the children who once played in these streets have become the elders who safeguard Greenway’s rich history.
While one neighborhood began as a rural post-Civil War settlement and the other as a professional haven, both represent the hardships placed on African-Americans at various points in time. A prime example showcasing the enduring spirit of Black excellence in Fort Worth and the importance of building a world of one’s own in spite of barriers.
|
|
A New Era of Emergency Care in Fort Worth
Submitted by: The Office of the Medical Director
In July 2025, the City of Fort Worth moved ambulance services into the Fort Worth Fire Department. Before that, ambulance care was provided by MedStar. As part of this change, the City created a new department called the Office of the Medical Director (OMD). In partnership with the Fire Department, OMD helps make sure people get safe, high-quality medical care when they call 911.
The OMD is led by Dr. Jeff Jarvis, the Chief Medical Officer. He is supported by two part-time doctors who are referred to as associate medical directors, and a team of 14 EMS professionals. Together, they help guide how emergency medical care is given in our city.
The OMD creates the rules and protocols for medical care, provides training and education, and checks the quality of care patients receive. They help support more than 1,600 EMS responders in the Fort Worth Fire Department, as well as responders in 14 nearby communities.
Each month the OMD reports objectives measures on how the EMS system is performing. Right now, the team is working on improving care for patients who have trouble breathing and those who suffer cardiac arrest.
Dr. Jarvis and his team work closely with Fire Chief Raymond Hill and the Fort Worth Fire Department to make sure emergency medical care in Fort Worth is safe, effective, and focused on patients.
New City Council Meeting Schedule
At the January 13th City Council meeting, City Council voted to revamp the 2026 Council meeting schedule. The schedule now consists of 20 meetings which include public comment, all broken out into daytime and evening sessions.
As a reminder, if a resident wishes to speak at a City Council meeting, they must sign up no later than two hours before the start of the meeting for both day and evening meetings.
How to register to speak:
- Review the instructions on filling out a speaker card online. Then open an agenda and fill out a speaker card online for any action item.
- Call the City Secretary’s Office at 817-392-6150.
- Complete a speaker card in person in the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting.
|
2026 Bond Program Update
Over the past year, City staff have curated an $845 million bond program slated for the May ballot. The 2026 proposal continues the City’s commitment to making improvements without increasing the property tax rate.
The current proposal prioritizes essential infrastructure and community spaces:
-
Streets & Mobility (60.5%): The largest share, dedicated to improving the city's transportation network.
-
Parks & Open Spaces (21.9%): Enhancing local recreation and green areas.
-
Public Safety (7.6%): Primarily focused on Fire Department and 911 dispatch upgrades.
-
Animal Shelters (7.1%): Modernizing facilities for the city’s pet population.
-
Public Libraries (1.7%): Investing in community learning hubs.
-
Affordable Housing (1.2%): Supporting local housing initiatives.
Several council members advocated for increasing the Affordable Housing budget from its originally allotted $5 million.
As of January 27th, City Council and City staff are exploring additional bond capacity and plans for alternative reallocation of funds.
District 11 resident input has been a cornerstone of this process. Every comment received has been logged and is available via the 2026 Bond Program Feedback Dashboard.
Upcoming Bond Election Dates:
-
March 23 – April 17: The City will host public meetings to explain the specific propositions on the ballot.
-
April 20 – 28: Early voting period.
-
May 2: Election Day
Proposed Zoning Changes
On January 27th, the Fort Worth City Council unanimously approved new zoning regulations for liquor stores, vape shops, and payday lenders, overriding a previous recommendation from the Zoning Commission.
Some changes include:
• New businesses in these categories must now be at least 1,000 feet away from existing competitors.
• "Sensitive Use" expansion, hospitals, parks, daycares, and places of worship.
• Defining Smoke Shops: The threshold for a business to be classified as a "smoke shop" dropped from 90% to 50% of total sales, making the stricter rules apply to more retailers.
• Legal Updates: The ordinance updated official definitions for these businesses but removed pawn shops from the local plan, as they are already strictly regulated by state law.
Please check the City website for updates on this new ordinance and when it will go into effect.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
VINTAGE RIVERSIDE
Council Feb. 10
VINTAGE RIVERSIDE
Council Feb. 10
ECHO HEIGHTS
Zoning Feb. 11
|
|
POLY HEIGHTS SOUTH
Council Feb. 10
S. HEMPHILL HEIGHTS
Council Feb. 10
GARDEN OF EDEN
Zoning Feb. 11
|
|
JMSL
Council Feb. 10
WORTH HEIGHTS
Council Feb. 10
UNITED RIVERSIDE
Zoning Feb. 11
|
|
Check out what's going on at your local library!
|
|
My Fort Worth (MyFW) is the official app for residents and visitors to quickly and easily report issues to the City.
Users can provide a description, photos, and use a map-based location feature to submit issues like graffiti, missed garbage collection, potholes or high grass.
Requests will go directly to the appropriate city work team and users can follow the status of their report and receive notifications via the app.
Download the MyFW mobile app today: MyFW
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
 |
|
Was this forwarded to you? Make sure you don’t miss the next update—subscribe now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
