D11 Newsletter: September 2026

City of Fort Worth, Texas sent this bulletin at 09/03/2026 02:15 PM CDT

Friends and Neighbors,

It’s been a whirlwind of a month here in District 11! From hosting our first ‘Weekend Chat’ to joining city staff at the District 11 Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Meeting at Worth Heights Community Center and stopping by several back‑to‑school bashes, it’s been a meaningful and fast‑paced few weeks.

Looking ahead, National Night Out (NNO) is on Tuesday, October 6. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet your neighbors and connect with local first responders. If you plan on hosting an event, make sure to register before the September 29 deadline.

In addition to NNO, this season brings another celebration that is especially close to my heart, Hispanic Heritage Month! I enjoy having the opportunity to highlight our local Hispanic and Latino organizations and businesses that make our community so amazing. I encourage everyone to show some extra love to their favorite Latino business across the district. Also consider joining us at the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off at City Hall on September 15 from 4 - 6 PM.

As always, the District 11 office is here to support you. Please reach out if you need assistance or have ideas to share.

With humility and gratitude,

Jeanette Martinez

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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

From September 15 to October 15, we honor the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries by celebrating the rich history, culture, contributions, and achievements of the Latino and Hispanic community.

Initially established as a week-long observance in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Hispanic Heritage Week was later expanded to a month in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. This month-long celebration recognizes the contributions of the Hispanic community, which makes up over a third of the Fort Worth population.

With National Hispanic Heritage Month approaching Fort Worth is gearing up with an exciting lineup of cultural events, community gatherings, and festive celebrations across the city. From local markets to family-friendly performances, there are plenty of opportunities to honor the rich histories, traditions, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. Below are a few events happening around town.

Hecho en Fort Worth
September 12, 2026 | 5:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Fort Worth Convention Center (1201 Houston St.)

Fiestas Patrias
September 13 | 1 PM
La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth (4200 South Fwy)

¡Fiestas Patrias Parade and Celebration!
September 13 | 10 AM - 4 PM
Fort Worth Stockyards (131 E. Exchange Ave.)

La Línea Rosa Kick Off Event
September 15 | 10:30 AM
La Gran Plaza (4200 South Fwy.)

Fort Worth Hispanic Heritage Celebration
September 15 | 4 - 6 PM
Fort Worth City Hall (100 Fort Worth Trl.)

Dia de la Independencia
September 29 | 5 - 7 PM
Tarrant Area Food Bank (2600 Cullen St.)

¡Celebramos! A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage
September 19 – 20
October 18 – 19
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens (1700 University Dr.)

Michelada Festival
October 11 | 12 - 8 PM
Main Street from the Convention Center to Sundance Square

Cuidado Casero Foundation | Scholarship Fundraiser
October 17 | 6 - 11 PM
Cullen Yards (2412 Cullen St.)

Sundance Square
Art shows, live music, and dancing.
Check the calendar for dates and details.
420 Main St.

Please note that this is just a quick preview and not a full list of all the citywide activities taking place!

CODE VIOLATIONS | PART 3: PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

We are continuing our code compliance series, where we break down the most frequently reported code violations across District 11. So far, we’ve covered vehicle and solid waste violations. In Part 3, we are focusing on Property Maintenance and the standards designed to keep our neighborhoods appealing.

Maintaining residential and commercial property isn’t only about curb appeal—it directly impacts public health, drainage, safety, and property values. Below is an overview of the City of Fort Worth’s property maintenance regulations.

TOP FIVE CODE VIOLATIONS IN D11 (2025)
Vehicle	1,366
Solid Waste Violations	2,431
Property Maintenance	3,010
Zoning	3,129
Animal Care and Control	8,152

High Grass & Weeds

Overgrown lawns can obscure drivers’ lines of sight, create fire hazards during dry months, and harbor pests such as mosquitoes, rodents, and snakes.

All grass and weeds on private property (including yards, vacant lots, and adjacent parkways) should be kept under 12 inches in height. If a property is in violation, the City issues a notice giving the owner 10 days to mow. If uncorrected, a City contractor will mow the lot, and a fee (starting at $250) will be charged to the property owner.

Property Waste & Outside Debris

Outside storage of trash, construction debris, scrap metal, tires, indoor furniture, or non-working appliances on private land or porches is prohibited.

Outdoor junk can accumulate standing water to breed mosquitoes and provide shelter for vermin. It is not only unsightly, but it can also attract illegal activities and vandalism, as individuals may assume the property is abandoned.

Code Officers issue warning notices specifying a timeframe to clear the area. Unresolved violations can result in citations with fines of up to $2,000 per day

Substandard & Unsecured Structures

Building structures, including sheds, carports, and detached garages, must be structurally sound and properly maintained. Open or vacant buildings must be fully secured against unauthorized entry.

When left open and unsecured, abandoned buildings can quickly become hotspots for illegal activities.

Property owners who fail to secure vacant structures are subject to fines of up to $2,000 per violation. Any property that does not meet the standards established in the City’s building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes and that endangers the life, health, or safety of the public may be subject to enforcement action.

Helpful City Resources

Mobile Tool Shed: Lends yard and hand tools to neighborhood groups and residents for free.

To report a violation or ask questions use the MyFW app, contact your Fort Worth Code Compliance Officer, or call 817‑392‑1234 or 311).

NATIONAL FOOD BANK DAY

Friday, September 4, is National Food Bank Day! This is time to recognize the vital role food banks and local pantries play in supporting our neighbors and ensuring no one in our community goes to bed hungry.

Whether through donating non-perishable goods, volunteering time, or simply spreading the word, every bit of support helps strengthen our local safety net. If you are able, we invite you to support the Tarrant Area Food Bank or a local food pantry near you.

Below is a link to a list of food pantries serving District 11 residents. Please feel free to save this resource or share it with anyone who might benefit from these services.

District 11 Food Pantries & Food Distribution Resources

HEMPHILL CORRIDOR SURVEY RESULTS

On September 26, Transportation and Public Works (TPW) staff held a public meeting at the Victory Forest Community Center to share the results of the Hemphill Corridor survey.

This conversation began when some residents expressed concerns about the reconfiguration of Hemphill Street, which reduced the roadway from five lanes to two while adding bike lanes and designated bus lanes. In response, a traffic study was conducted, and alternate restriping options were presented to residents to explore opportunities for improving traffic flow. A survey was then provided for residents to indicate which alternative street configuration they preferred for Hemphill Street.

A total of 2,505 residents participated in the survey. Their feedback offered insight into potential new configurations for Hemphill Street, and the results are summarized in the image below.

Ultimately, TPW staff recommended a hybrid option to include a five to three lane transition. This option improves operations in the southern portion of the corridor but does not eliminate long-term congestion in the northern segment. Bike lanes, on-street parking, and designated bus pull-offs south of Allen Ave. will be removed. Bike lanes north of Allen Ave and Rosedale St. will remain.

The restriping is anticipated to be completed by April 2027.

View the 8/26/26 meeting presentation.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: CARLOS SALGUERO

Originally from the lush banana plantations of Morales, Guatemala, Mr. Carlos Salguero now proudly calls Fort Worth, “mi casa.”

Carlos celebrates over 11 years with the City of Fort Worth, where he is currently a Housing Rehab Technician in the Neighborhood Services Department.

In this role he works with Community Action Partners on several key city initiatives, including Beat the Heat, CDBG Veterans Grant, and the HH4TXV State of Texas Veterans Assistance Grant where Carlos inspects homes, writes work orders, and ensures critical health and safety repairs are completed for local residents.

For Carlos, the most rewarding part of the job goes far beyond blueprints and repair budgets—it’s about human connection. Recently, Carlos went above and beyond for a local resident and veteran, Mr. James*. After spotting Mr. James outside his home, Carlos initiated a conversation, learned about his service, and recognized an immediate need for repairs on the property.

Navigating the process was far from easy. For nearly a year and a half, Carlos worked side-by-side with Mr. James to gather documentation and overcome procedural hurdles. Despite multiple obstacles where the project faced potential denial, Carlos refused to give up on getting the veteran the home repair and support he deserved. Through patience, perseverance, and many conversations spent chatting about life while petting Mr. James' cats, Carlos made sure the city was there when it mattered most.

When Carlos is not working, he stays busy with a wide array of passions like cooking, tending to his vegetable garden, hunting down antique tools, vintage cameras, and unique whiskeys with a good story behind them. Above all else, his favorite thing is the sound of his wife’s room-filling laughter.

Thank you, Carlos, for your years of dedication, your advocacy for our residents, and the genuine compassion you bring to the Fort Worth community every single day!

Note: Resident name has been changed for privacy.

In Memory of Ms. Regina Thomas

The District 11 office was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of our dear friend, Ms. Regina Thomas.

As a passionate advocate for her Fairhaven neighborhood, Ms. Regina’s dedication to her community was matched only by her warmth. We will forever miss the trademark "I love you, baby" she used to end every phone call with our team.

Ms. Regina, you were a true light and a treasure to the District 11 office. You will be dearly missed, but your legacy of advocacy and kindness will always stay with us.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family and loved ones.