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The days as an army outpost are over, but Fort Worth's frontier spirit continues to thrive. A city of cowboys and culture, Fort Worth is where Texas' storied history meets its busy present, where cowboys and ranchers are as likely to be in business with high-tech entrepreneurs as they are to be seatmates at a Cats game. Here you'll find a rich tapestry of affordable neighborhoods, an enviable cultural scene and a world-class educational system.In 1849, Fort Worth was established as an outpost, looking forward into the future. Today it's still that, and much more.
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Texasfort worth
Grab & Go GoUrmetDiners dig into new food options
Stay a While
many military personnel put down permanent roots
2013 | presented by the Fort Worth Chamber oF CommerCe
livability.com/fort-worth
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 3
Things to Do10 Grab & Go Gourmet Fort Worth diners dig into new food choices
16 Local Flavor Serves You right 18 Arts & Culture Perfect harmony
20 Sports & Recreation Get out and Play
Living 28 the Best of Both worlds Mid-cities residents promote the area’s many benefits.
34 Stay a while Many NAS Fort Worth JRB staff make Fort Worth a permanent home.
38 Education heads of the Class
40 Health Live well
43 Community Profile
Business50 In with the New Expansion news keeps coming for Fort Worth.
54 Chamber Letter remembering JfK
55 Economic Profile
on the Cover Water flows down a series of terraces in the active water pool, part of Fort Worth’s Water Gardens. Photo by Staff Photographer
all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
Please recycle this magazine
6 Welcome to Fort Worth an introduction to the community
fort worth2013 EdItIoN voLumE 3
Texas
28
12
34
photo by master sGt. JoshUa Woods
GEt thE dIGItAL mAGAZINEIt's loaded with links to more great info about Fort Worth! Telling your community’s unique story has never been so easy.
Texasfort worth
Grab & Go GoUrmet
Diners dig into new food options
Stay a While
many military personnel
put down permanent roots
2013 | presented by the Fort Worth Chamber oF CommerCe
livability.com/fort-worth
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Things To Do Find the must-do attractions, activities and dining in Fort Worth.
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Texasfort worth
Grab & Go GoUrmetDiners dig into new food options
Stay a While
many military personnel put down permanent roots
2013 | presented by the Fort Worth Chamber oF CommerCe
livability.com/fort-worth
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PhoTos & viDeo
287
380
69
6980
20
30
TARRANT
Trinity R.
Mansfield
Fort Worth
Arlington
Irving
Keller
Plano
Dallas
287377
67
75
81
175
20
20
30
35W
635
45
While proud of its cowboys and cattle-drive heritage, Fort Worth owes much of its modern allure to world-class museums, award-winning restaurants, shopping and historical landmarks.
Pick your PaceDespite Fort Worth’s status as
North Texas’ fastest-growing city over the past year, living here can be as bustling as its development or as leisurely as a Texas drawl.
On-the-go types can pack their schedules with activities that include professional and college sports events, dining out for meals and drinks at a huge variety of restaurants and bars, or hearing nationally known artists and homegrown talent at one of the city’s several venues and festivals. To slow down and relax a bit, residents can opt for a long stroll along the river on the Trinity Trails or seek inspiration and knowledge at the city’s world-class museums.
strong economy statewide
Site selectors and economists know all about Texas’ status as an economic powerhouse and its many accolades such as its 2012 ranking as the No. 1 state for doing business by Area Development magazine. On the city level, for the same year Fort Worth ranked No. 4 on NewGeography.com’s list of Best Large Cities in the U.S. for Jobs.
The DFW Metroplex ranks fourth in the nation for its concentration of Fortune 500 company headquarters. The area’s diverse industries, consistently low unemployment and excellent quality of life attract top talent looking for fresh career opportunities. Meanwhile, Fort Worth’s central location, skilled workforce and strong, ever-growing transportation infrastructure lure even more companies.
at a glance
Fort Worth, Texasa qUiCk, Comprehensive overvieW oF What’s Great aboUt the CommUnity
for more information
fort worth Chamber of Commerce
777 Taylor Street, Suite 900 Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone: (817) 336-2491 fax: (817) 877-4034
www.fortworthchamber.com
locationLocated in North Texas, Fort Worth is just 13 miles from Arlington, 23 miles from Irving and 32 miles from Dallas.
PoPulation
758,738
annual rainfall
34.01”
distances to three major cities nearby Austin, 190 miles Houston, 265 miles Oklahoma City, 202 miles
time zoneCentral
National Average: 30”
Fort Worth: no. 1 best city to be a homeowner
Source: AOL Real Estate
ACCoLAdE
fort worth
6 Fort Worth
Unconventional Conventionsfort worth convention center event goers enjoy proximity to great downtown shopping, entertainment and lodging,including the adjacent omni hotel.
6 Fort Worth livabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 7
History
Panther Parade
Stop by the sleeping Panther of fort worth statue at the corner of Main and Weatherford streets and learn how Fort Worth got its “Panther City” nickname in 1873. You’ll spot other panthers all over town, from facade carvings to stitched police badges.
Museums
arts adventure
Explore the Cultural District’s kimbell art museum, fort worth museum of science and history, amon carter museum of american art, modern art museum of fort worth, and the national cowgirl museum and hall of fame.
Gardens
breathe deePly
Smell the roses and other blooms at the fort worth botanic garden, the oldest botanic garden in Texas. Twelve separate gardens showcase more than 2,500 species of native and exotic plants. Bring a few quarters to buy food for the koi in the Japanese Garden.
Food
taste tradition
Get a true taste of local flavor at cattlemen’s steak house or joe t. garcia’s, two of Fort Worth’s most established restaurants. Cattlemen’s opened in 1947 and serves what its name implies, while the Tex-Mex institution Joe T. Garcia’s opened in 1935.
thINGS to doFort Worth’s must-do attractions, activities and dining
Wear Comfortable Shoeslucky you if you shop ‘til you drop in downtown’s Sundance Square, because you’re at least likely to land in a cozy seat for a delicious meal or a world-class musical performance. the district encompasses 35 city blocks chock full of entertainment venues, restaurants and retailers.
8 Fort Worth
Sports
cheer for the Pros
Grab your game gear and go support one of many local sports teams. texas christian university plays its home games in Fort Worth, as does the fort worth cats baseball team. Both the dallas cowboys and texas rangers play in nearby Arlington.
Rodeo
bring your lasso
Saddle up and enjoy Stockyards Championship Rodeo and Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show every weekend of the year at cowtown coliseum. Rodeo events include bull riding and calf roping, and the Wild West Show showcases trick shooting and cowboy songs.
Golf
develoP your drive
Hit golf balls far and straight at the 26 courses in Fort Worth. Eleven private courses, such as colonial country club and ridglea county club, offer great golf. Top public destinations include hawks creek golf club and the golf club at fossil creek.
Hang Onto Your Hatrace to texas motor Speedway for nasCar nationwide/sprint Cup series weekends in april and november and an indyCar/Camping World truck series weekend in June. tms includes the main 1.5-mile oval, a 1/5-mile oval, a .4-mile dirt track and a road course.
things to do
History
make like a bandit
Stand on Main Street where butch cassidy and his fort worth five posed in 1900 for one of the most recognized photographs of the Old West. Read about the train-robbing syndicate at a Heritage Trails marker between 5th and 6th Streets.
photo CoUrtesy oF dave roth
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FORT WORTH DInERS DIG InTO nEW FOOD CHOICES
gourmetGrab & Go
things to do
10 Fort Worth
Fresh Eatsat oliver’s fine foods in sundance square, a busy lunch spot, customers can also stock their kitchens with gourmet items such as fresh cheeses, deli meats, wine and beer.
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 11 10 Fort Worth
Sip, Savor and Shoppatrons can pair a meal such as herb roasted quail and maw maw bread pudding with wine and gift shopping at ellerbe Fine Foods and market.
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west rosedale Street
cowtown farmers market
ridgmar farmers market
ellerbe fine foods
So
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oliver’s fine foods
I-30
Alt
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vickery Boulevard
Camp Bowie Boulevard
fort worth food Park
North henderson Street
houston Street
SNAPShot
For a fresh bite in the West 7th area,
stop for a soup and salad at sweet
tomatoes’ new location.
A medium-rare steak in a venerable Fort Worth restaurant is indeed a thing of beauty. But local diners are adding new food choices to their dining routines, whether they’re opting for a lunchtime tropical salad or dinner from a Vietnamese Ban Mhi food truck.
The Fort Worth food scene has blossomed, bringing new foods – and new ways to enjoy them – to town. Farmers markets, food trucks and quick-service gourmet prepared foods increase, as busy families discover ways to eat well, but conveniently, and discerning foodies look for dining adventures.
eating out – at home“Nobody cooks anymore,” says Chef Todd Bush,
owner of Oliver’s Fine Foods in Fort Worth and Mansfield, full-service restaurants that also offer extensive selections of prepared foods and gourmet items for takeout. “We have a lot of businessmen and businesswomen at our downtown location who come in and want us to heat up prepared things for them for lunch, and lots of people who come by for family meals. We’ve filled a niche.”
Food trucks, farmers markets and quick-service gourmet shops give local diners fresh, new options.
Colorful & Convenientoliver’s fine foods’ mango strawberry Chicken salad, enjoyable there or to go
12 Fort Worth livabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 13
Bush says his customers are drawn by his restaurants’ emphasis on fresh, nutritious food, whether they come for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the premises, or choose from a rotating selection of house-made goodies to take home.
On any given day, they might find entrees like Beef Roulades, filled with spinach, mushrooms and Boursin cheese, Mango Salsa Chicken or Short Smoked Salmon with an orange soy vinaigrette, and dozens of side dishes. Oliver’s also stocks “grab and go” items that include fresh produce, salads, cured meats, sauces, marinades, dressings, dips and desserts.
Ellerbe Fine Foods and Market sells kitchen and artisan gifts, food specialties, wines, soaps, candles and more. Its restaurant and catering services are popular with diners who share a passion for dishes based on fresh, seasonal, sustainable ingredients.
diy diningThose who prefer a DIY dinner are finding Fort
Worth’s farmers markets the perfect places to pick up fresh ingredients for a healthy meal. Everything at Cowtown Farmers Market is grown or produced within a 150-mile radius of Fort Worth. Open year-round, Cowtown shoppers also find breads, gifts,
honey, flowers and more. Other popular markets include the Rufe Snow Farmers Market and Ridgmar Farmers Market.
food trucks grow oPtionsIn search of variety to spice up your food life? The
downtown Fort Worth Food Park can keep you busy for months with its changing daily roster of food trucks, serving gourmet bistro fare, Mediterranean specialties, cupcakes, Mexican food, burgers, bacon dishes, grilled cheese, Vietnamese food and more in a green, park-like setting.
Family-friendly and located near the city’s arts and entertainment scene, the park often hosts special events, outdoor games and concerts.
The park, says founder and owner Chris Kreuger, “takes food trucks to the next level,” a big plus for diners, but also for the many up-and-coming chefs helping to put Fort Worth on the culinary map.
“Food trucks serve the same high-quality food as restaurants, but their overhead is so much lower that a chef can have his own place without the cost of a brick-and-mortar building,” Kreuger says. “That really helps increase the variety of food people can enjoy.”
by Laura Hill by staff photographer Michael Conti
red Jett Sweets’ mobile cupcakery sets up shop at the Fort Worth Food park thursday through sunday.
14 Fort Worth
Take Your Pick & Picnicfort worth food Park patrons dine picnic style after choosing among food trucks. the pet-friendly park also has free wi-fi, special events, games and live music.
14 Fort Worth
BBQ
beef and barbecue
Two restaurants that have been serving brisket, pork ribs and turkey for more than 20 years are railhead b-b-Q and angelo’s. sonny bryan’s smokehouse also serves brisket, pulled pork and its famous onion rings. dickey’s barbecue Pit opened with one restaurant in 1941 and today is the largest quick-serve barbecue chain in the country.
Serves You RightFort Worth diners dive into Flavor at area restaUrants
Eating is believing in Fort Worth, where diners have many great choices across cuisine categories. Here are a few local favorites:
things to do: LOCAL FLAvOR
Hot Spots
latino/tex-mex/southwestern
Local favorite joe t. garcia’s has been around since the 1930s. And try cantina laredo for dishes topped with sauces like chipotle-wine with portabella mushrooms. gloria’s lets you munch on free chips and black-bean dip while waiting, or you can head to dos gringos for an original Mexican pizza.
lanny’s alta cocina mexicana combines upscale cuisine with Mexican culture, and reata restaurant mixes Southwestern, Creole and Southern flavors. Other top spots include abuelo’s, blue mesa grill, chimy’s, hacienda san miguel, and hot damn, tamales!
Meat Lovers
steak and more
Steaks are the order of the day at lonesome dove, michaels, la hacienda ranch and hunter brothers’ h3 ranch. cattlemen’s steak house in the Stockyards District serves internationally renowned steaks that can also be shipped all over the country. The menu at del frisco’s double eagle steakhouse is built around USDA prime beef. ruth’s chris steak house downtown is another favorite.
texas de brazil serves dishes such as seasoned lamb and Brazilian sausage. bob’s steak & chop house features USDA steaks seasoned a variety of ways. Other preferred places for steaks in Fort Worth include hoffbrau steaks, the capital grille and eddie v’s.
Guests escape and try asian flavors at Sushi Axiom in Fort Worth.
16 Fort Worth
Ethnic Food
international
Find Greek and Middle Eastern fare at byblos, hedary’s mediterranean restaurant and chadra mezza & grill, or French cuisine at cacharel and saint-emilion. bella italia gives Italian favorites a Southwestern twist. Enjoy Asian food at sushi axiom and Latin-flavored specialties at mijo’s fusion.
Just Desserts
sweet treats
curly’s frozen custard’s desserts include sundaes, malts and shakes. mother rucker’s sweets sells gourmet fresh-baked cookies, brownies, chocolate bars and confections, while rita’s ice - fort worth serves up Italian ice, custard, gelatos and sundaes.
By Kevin Litwin
American Favoritesscallops at Grace show some of the delicious modern american fare that awaits Fort Worth diners. other favorites include Z’s Cafe, winslow’s wine Cafe, vidalias in the worthington renaissance hotel, Cast Iron at the omni Fort Worth hotel, houlihan’s and Charleston’s restaurant. For a classic, try ol’ South Pancake house, which built a loyal following since opening in 1962.
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BBQBEEF AND BARBECUE
Two restaurants that have been serving brisket, pork ribs and turkey for more than 20 years are Railhead B-B-Q and Angelo’s. Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse also serves brisket, pulled pork and its famous onion rings. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opened with one restaurant in 1941 and today is the largest quick-serve barbecue chain in the country.
Serves You RightFORT WORTH DINERS DIVE INTO FLAVOR AT AREA RESTAURANTSEating is believing in Fort Worth, where diners have many great choices across cuisine
categories. Here are a few local favorites:
THINGS TO DO: LOCAL FLAVOR
Hot SpotsLATINO/TEX-MEX/SOUTHWESTERN
Local favorite Joe T. Garcia’s has been around since the 1930s. And try Cantina Laredo for dishes topped with sauces like chipotle-wine with portabella mushrooms. Gloria’s lets you munch on free chips and black-bean dip while waiting, or you can head to Dos Gringos for an original Mexican pizza.Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana combines upscale cuisine with Mexican culture, and Reata Restaurant mixes Southwestern, Creole and Southern flavors. Other top spots include Abuelo’s, Blue Mesa Grill, Chimy’s, Hacienda San Miguel, and Hot Damn, Tamales!
Meat LoversSTEAK AND MORE
Steaks are the order of the day at Lonesome Dove, Michaels, La
Hacienda Ranch and Hunter Brothers’ H3 Ranch. Cattlemen’s Steak
House in the Stockyards District serves internationally renowned steaks
that can also be shipped all over the country. The menu at Del Frisco’s
Double Eagle Steakhouse is built around USDA prime beef. Ruth’s
Chris Steak House downtown is another favorite.Texas de Brazil serves dishes such as seasoned lamb and Brazilian
sausage. Bob’s Steak & Chop House features USDA steaks seasoned a
variety of ways. Other preferred places for steaks in Fort Worth include
Hoffbrau Steaks and The Capital Grille.
Ethnic FoodINTERNATIONAL
Find Greek and Middle Eastern fare at Byblos, Hedary’s Mediterranean Restaurant and Chadra Mezza & Grill, or French cuisine at Cacharel and Saint-Emilion. Bella Italia gives Italian favorites a Southwestern twist. Enjoy Asian food at Sushi Axiom and Latin-flavored specialties at Mijo’s Fusion.
Just DessertsSWEET TREATS
Curly’s Frozen Custard’s desserts include sundaes, malts and shakes. Mother Rucker’s Sweets sells gourmet fresh-baked cookies, brownies, chocolate bars and confections, while Rita’s Ice - Fort Worth serves up Italian ice, custard, gelatos and sundaes. By Kevin Litwin
American FavoritesScallops at Grace show some of the delicious modern American fare that awaits Fort Worth diners. Other favorites include Z’s Cafe, Winslow’s Wine Cafe, Vidalias in the Worthington Hotel, Cast Iron at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Houlihan’s and Charleston’s Restaurant. For a classic, try Ol’ South Pancake House, which built a loyal following since opening in 1962.
Guests escape and try Asian flavors at Sushi Axiom in Fort Worth.
Read it online or on your tablet, and quickly share articles with friends.
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
BBQBEEF AND BARBECUETwo restaurants that have been
serving brisket, pork ribs and turkey
for more than 20 years are Railhead B-B-Q and Angelo’s.
Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse also
serves brisket, pulled pork and its
famous onion rings. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opened with one
restaurant in 1941 and today is the
largest quick-serve barbecue chain
in the country.
Serves You RightFORT WORTH DINERS DIVE INTO FLAVOR AT AREA RESTAURANTS
Eating is believing in Fort Worth, where diners have many great choices across cuisine
categories. Here are a few local favorites:
THINGS TO DO: LOCAL FLAVOR
Hot SpotsLATINO/TEX-MEX/SOUTHWESTERNLocal favorite Joe T. Garcia’s
has been around since the 1930s.
And try Cantina Laredo for dishes
topped with sauces like chipotle-
wine with portabella mushrooms.
Gloria’s lets you munch on free
chips and black-bean dip while
waiting, or you can head to Dos
Gringos for an original Mexican
pizza.Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana
combines upscale cuisine with
Mexican culture, and Reata Restaurant mixes Southwestern,
Creole and Southern flavors. Other
top spots include Abuelo’s, Blue
Mesa Grill, Chimy’s, Hacienda San
Miguel, and Hot Damn, Tamales!
Meat LoversSTEAK AND MORESteaks are the order of the day at Lonesome Dove, Michaels, La
Hacienda Ranch and Hunter Brothers’ H3 Ranch. Cattlemen’s Steak
House in the Stockyards District serves internationally renowned steaks
that can also be shipped all over the country. The menu at Del Frisco’s
Double Eagle Steakhouse is built around USDA prime beef. Ruth’s
Chris Steak House downtown is another favorite.
Texas de Brazil serves dishes such as seasoned lamb and Brazilian
sausage. Bob’s Steak & Chop House features USDA steaks seasoned a
variety of ways. Other preferred places for steaks in Fort Worth include
Hoffbrau Steaks and The Capital Grille.
Ethnic FoodINTERNATIONALFind Greek and Middle Eastern
fare at Byblos, Hedary’s Mediterranean Restaurant and
Chadra Mezza & Grill, or French
cuisine at Cacharel and Saint-Emilion. Bella Italia gives Italian
favorites a Southwestern twist.
Enjoy Asian food at Sushi Axiom
and Latin-flavored specialties at
Mijo’s Fusion.
Just DessertsSWEET TREATSCurly’s Frozen Custard’s desserts include sundaes, malts
and shakes. Mother Rucker’s Sweets sells gourmet fresh-baked
cookies, brownies, chocolate bars
and confections, while Rita’s Ice -
Fort Worth serves up Italian ice,
custard, gelatos and sundaes. By Kevin Litwin
American FavoritesScallops at Grace show some of the
delicious modern American fare that
awaits Fort Worth diners. Other
favorites include Z’s Cafe, Winslow’s Wine Cafe, Vidalias in
the Worthington Hotel, Cast Iron
at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel,
Houlihan’s and Charleston’s Restaurant. For a classic, try Ol’
South Pancake House, which built a
loyal following since opening in
1962.
Guests escape and try Asian flavors at Sushi Axiom in Fort Worth.
Read it online or on your tablet, and
quickly share articles with friends.
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
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16 FORT WORTH
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16 FORT WORTH
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 17 16 Fort Worth
Downtown
new Plaza in sundance sQuare
Opening in November 2013, Sundance Square’s new plaza gives downtown Fort Worth a shiny new entertainment gathering space. Bordered at Third and Fourth Streets and Commerce and Houston Streets, Sundance Square plaza’s centerpiece is a two-level stage for concerts. Other amenities include an interactive fountain with more than 200 jets shooting water 6 feet into the air.
Arts in Perfect HarmonyattraCtions Give residents plenty to hear, see and do
Fort Worth deserves a standing ovation for all its arts and cultural offerings, which include everything from museums and theaters to live music and festivals.
things to do: ARTS & CULTURE
Concert Hall
bass Performance hall
One of Fort Worth’s most impressive music venues is bass Performance hall, located on a full city block in the historic sundance square. Seating 2,065 people, it is the home of performing arts organizations such as the fort worth symphony orchestra, the texas ballet theater and the fort worth opera. One architectural highlight is its 80-foot Great Dome.
Live Music
hot sPots to hear tunes
In the stockyards district, visit billy bob’s texas, which claims the title of the world’s largest honky-tonk. Other must-sees are lola’s saloon, magnolia motor lounge, the wild rooster, capital bar, fred’s texas cafe, basement bar and white elephant saloon. Top nightlife hangouts include the aardvark, rockstar sports bar, 1919 hemphill and scat jazz lounge.
Lofty Ideas Come to Sundance Squarethe umbrellas feature in the new Sundance Square Plaza will provide shade, weather protection and create an impressive outdoor space with lofty canopy by day. at night, it transforms into a striking scene of colors and patterns using led lighting. the renovated plaza will include a pavilion, bicycle racks, ever-changing waterfalls and cascades, and plenty of seating.
18 Fort Worth
“Comedy or drama, there’s a ton they do well at the Bass Performance Hall. And the prudent will get by there to see it.”
kevin n., YElp.coM coNtRiButoR
Museums
cultural district
Fort Worth, the “Museum Capital of the Southwest,” has five venues in the Cultural District: the amon carter museum of american art, the fort worth museum of science and history, the modern art museum of fort worth, the national cowgirl museum and hall of fame, and the kimbell art museum, which is undergoing a $125 million expansion. Other attractions include the sid richardson museum downtown and multiple art galleries.
Stage and Screen
Performing arts
Several organizations and venues stage everything from Broadway shows to children’s performances, including casa mañana, jubilee theatre, hip Pocket theatre, four day weekend and amphibian stage Productions. Cinema fans enjoy the annual lone star international film festival.
By Kevin Litwin
Festivals
causes for celebration
Every April, music and arts fans from around the country converge on Fort Worth’s Main Street for the highly anticipated main st. fort worth arts festival. The free, four-day event’s schedule includes live concerts, street performers, a juried arts fair, food and family fun, and has been a local tradition for nearly three decades. It is the Southwest’s largest arts and entertainment festival, and has been rated the No. 1 arts festival in Texas and the third-largest arts festival in the country.
Fort Worth residents enjoy other arts-focused festivals, too. They include musicarte on the river, arts goggle and modern ’til midnight (held at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth).
18 Fort Worth
things to do: SPORTS & RECREATION
Get Out and PlayFort Worth’s oUtdoor venUes, sports teams keep residents movinG
Want a place full of green space, trails to try and some healthy competition? Then Fort Worth is for you, with professional sports galore plus plenty of parks, trail systems and leagues for those who want in on the action.
Trails
hike, bike or ride
fort worth nature center and refuge, one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States, has more than 20 miles of hiking trails and an interpretive center. The park offers residents and visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural history of the entire north central Texas region. For recreation with a river view, try trinity trails, a system of trails along the Trinity River for walking, biking, cycling or horseback riding. The trails collectively cover 40 miles and connect with 21 parks, the fort worth botanic garden, log cabin village, fort worth zoo and downtown fort worth.
Pro Sportsas for big-name sports
events, Fort Worth hosts the Crowne Plaza Invitational Golf tournament at the Colonial Country Club each may, where spectators watch the pros take to the course that was home to legendary native son ben hogan. For more action, the texas motor Speedway hosts two nasCar race weekends annually, as well as an indyCar series event. or watch the fort worth Cats compete at the historic laGrave Field. Want to cool off a bit? then texas brahmas hockey team games at NYtEX Sports Centre are where you want to be for cool, intense action.
Fort Worth’s Parks and Community Services Department oversees more than 200 parks and public spaces throughout the city, including 22 community centers.
Bicycling
get ready to ride
As of Spring 2013, residents can enjoy the new central-city bike-sharing program, which includes 30 stations and 300 bikes. The bikes will have locks, lights, baskets and GPS devices to track each bike, and riders can use credit or membership cards to check bikes in and out. The program will help with mobility and connectivity through Fort Worth’s most popular areas.
By Joe Morris
20 Fort Worth
College Athletics
College athletes find their place in Fort Worth. texas Christian university’s horned Frogs debuted in July 2012 in the big 12 Conference for the 2012-13 school year, and 10 current and former student athletes and coaches represented tCU in the 2012 london olympics. tCU’s baseball team continues to close in on a College World series slot, and nearby texas wesleyan university competes in the naia. Fort Worth also is home to the Bell helicopter Armed forces Bowl.
20 Fort Worth
things to do: SEE THE CITY
22 Fort Worth
See more photos that showcase Fort Worth at livability.com/fort-worth/tx/photos-video.
Timely Tributealmost 50 years after president John F. kennedy spoke to the people of Fort Worth the morning of his last day alive, community leaders led by taylor and shirlee J. Gandy dedicated a tribute to the president and the themes of his address that fateful day. the tribute in downtown’s General Worth square features an 8-foot-tall bronze sculpture by texas artist lawrence ludtke.
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view more photos from Fort Worth at livability.com/fort-worth/tx/photos-video.
Cowboys and Cultureadmire works by american artists at the Amon Carter museum of American Art, which has an impressive collection of works depicting the american West by Frederic remington and Charles m. russell. a visitor views artist William ranney’s 1850 oil on canvas, Marion Crossing the Pedee, which is part of the museum’s permanent collection.
things to do: SEE THE CITY
24 Fort Worth
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Browse through more Fort Worth photos at livability.com/fort-worth/tx/photos-video.
Top Care for KidsBased in Fort Worth, cook children’s health care system has more than 60 offices throughout north Texas. The not-for-profit organization comprises eight nationally recognized companies including the medical center, home health company and pediatric surgery center. In 2010, the Leapfrog Group named the medical center a top hospital.
LIvINGSchools, health care and neighborhoods in Fort Worth
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living
Water Wondersat the Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, one of several cities between Fort Worth and dallas, people can walk through a tunnel aquarium of fish, giant turtles, stingrays and sharks.
28 Fort Worth
MID-CITIES RESIDEnTS PROMOTE THE AREA’S MAnY BEnEFITS
Both worldsThe Best of
The municipalities that make up the mid-cities, Arlington (population 375,000), Irving (215,000), and Grand Prairie (175,000), as well as Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Haltom City, Watauga and Keller, collectively account for a population of 1.2 million, roughly equivalent to Dallas and considerably larger than Fort Worth.
things to doCertainly, the attractions found in the
mid-cities area rival those of any major city. Arlington is home to both an NFL and MLB team – the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, respectively – not to mention Six Flags Over Texas (an amusement park with more than 65 rides), Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, and Legacy Park, where
residents can enjoy paddling, biking and running trails.
Other noteworthy attractions include: Hurricane Harbor and NRH2O, popular family water parks; Lone Star Park, which offers thoroughbred and quarter horse racing; and Verizon Theatre, which hosts Broadway productions and family shows, as well as concerts by internationally renowned touring acts.
A pair of major shopping destinations is among the nine malls in the region, Southlake Town Center and Grapevine Mills, the latter featuring the Sea Life Aquarium and the newly opened Legoland Discovery Center, one of only five in the United States.
life in the mid citiesYet, when residents are queried about
the greatest attributes of the mid-cities
Fort Worth and Dallas may be two of the largest cities in Texas, but a huge number of residents find the 30-mile area between them ideal for families and careers.
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 29 28 Fort Worth
Massive Mallshoppers walk a mile-long stretch of stores at Grapevine mills mall, a top attraction and amenity in the mid-cities region
30 Fort Worth
region, they invariably focus on the overall quality of life.
Amber Tinsley, who lives in Bedford and is vice president of marketing and events at American Jewelry & Estates Experts, describes herself as a “boomerang” after having grown up in the area, gone away for school and returned to pursue a career.
“I love being in the middle of Fort Worth and Dallas. I’m never far from anyplace I want to go,” Tinsley says, adding that Bedford and surrounding communities are economical besides being a “nice, safe neighborhood where you can get to know your neighbors.”
Stacey Vitale, an EHS process analyst with Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, echoes those sentiments about living in Hurst.
“The area is so easy to navigate
and convenient to everything. You can get to the airport really quickly,” she says, referring to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the largest hub of Fort Worth-based American Airlines. “And it’s close to downtown for whenever I want to do something social downtown.”
The region is still on the rise, thanks in part to a revamp of the highway system and a concerted effort by local communities to bring residents together via intramural sports programs and other community-oriented activities and events.
“In a few years it’s going to be even more amazing,” Tinsley says. “If you want to be in an area that takes care of itself and where everyone works together, this is it.
by Jason Zasky by staff photographer
Michael Conti
“If you want to be in an area that takes care of itself and where everyone works together, this is it.”
amber tinsley, BEdFoRd RESidENt
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Attractions Big As Texasmore than 100,000 dallas Cowboys fans gather for an
nFl game at arlington’s Cowboys stadium, the world’s-
largest domed structure. it even has an art gallery.
Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends.
digital magazine
MID-CITIES RESIDENTS PROMOTE THE AREA’S MANY BENEFITS
LIVING
Water WondersAt the Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine, one of several cities between Fort Worth and Dallas, people can walk through a tunnel aquarium of fish, giant turtles, stingrays and sharks.
Both Worlds
The Best of
The municipalities that make up the mid-cities, Arlington (population 375,000), Irving (215,000), and Grand Prairie (175,000), as well as Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Richland
Hills, Haltom City, Watauga and Keller, collectively account for a population of 1.2 million, roughly equivalent to Dallas and considerably larger than Fort Worth.THINGS TO DO
Certainly, the attractions found in the mid-cities area rival those of any major city. Arlington is home to both an NFL and MLB team – the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, respectively – not to mention Six Flags Over Texas (an amusement park with more than 65 rides), Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, and Legacy Park, where
residents can enjoy paddling, biking and running trails.Other noteworthy attractions include:
Hurricane Harbor and NRH2O, popular
family water parks; Lone Star Park, which offers thoroughbred and quarter horse racing; and Verizon Theatre, which hosts Broadway productions and family shows, as well as concerts by internationally renowned touring acts.A pair of major shopping destinations
is among the nine malls in the region, Southlake Town Center and Grapevine Mills, the latter featuring the Sea Life Aquarium and the newly opened Legoland Discovery Center, one of only
five in the United States.LIFE IN THE MID CITIESYet, when residents are queried about
the greatest attributes of the mid-cities
F ort Worth and Dallas may be two of the largest cities in Texas, but a huge number of residents find the 30-mile area between them ideal for families and careers.
l ivAbil it y.com/Fort-Worth/ t x 29
28 Fort Worth
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 31 30 Fort Worth
Top 10 Cities forCollege Grads
Introducing the Livability.com Top 10 Lists New lists every month | Not your average lists | Not your average website
CHARLOTTE North Carolina
NASHVILLE Tennessee
TUCSON Arizona
PROVO Utah
FORT WORTH Texas
KNOXVILLE Tennessee
KANSAS CITY Missouri
SAN JOSE California
SAN ANTONIO Texas
LINCOLN Nebraska
Fort Worthmade the list.Top 10 Cities for College GradsSee more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.
MVRMira Vista, RealtorsP R E M I E R R E A L E S T A T E S E R V I C E S
6400 Mira Vista Blvd. • Fort Worth, TX 76132 • 817-294-6634 • Fax: 817-263-6600 www.MiraVistaRealtors.com
Visit www.MiraVistaRealtors.com where you can access our MLS Metroplex listings search. Create a My Mira Vista account to save your favorite properties, searches and get instant updates as homes hit the market. Utilize our My Mira Vista Mobile to search the MLS, find open houses and contact any of our
agents when you’re on the go. Get property and community information the
quickest way possible. In the market to sell? We offer state-of-the-art listing
details on our website … providing buyers with the most important details.
Please take a moment to see what Mira Vista, Realtors can offer you.
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Mira Vista, Realtors is a full-service boutique brokerage specializing in residential real estate and relocation service. Clients benefit from our:
Knowledge – an award-winning staff with more than 150 years of cumulative experience of the Fort Worth Metroplex, we offer the latest in real estate technology
Service – a team approach individualized for each client
Commitment – Realtors on our staff have earned one or more advanced real estate designations, certifications or education
Results – we walk you through every step of the way to ensure a smooth and happy transaction
In its time, the now-legendary Chisholm Trail was one of the main routes that cowboys utilized to drive herds of cattle from south Texas up to Fort Worth and beyond.
In much the same way, the 27.6-mile Chisholm Trail Parkway under construction will offer Texas motorists safe, swift, north-south passage – in this case from Cleburne up to downtown Fort Worth – thereby opening a “game changing” transportation corridor, one that will encourage economic development at both ends of the Parkway.
The ambitious $1.6 billion project is a collaborative effort between the North Texas Tollway Authority, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the cities of Fort Worth, Burleson and Cleburne, among others.
“We are going to open nearly 28 miles of tollway on a single
day in mid-2014,” says Michael Rey, media relations manager for the North Texas Tollway Authority, also noting that the long-awaited project has been on the drawing board since the 1960s.
“There is great excitement in Cleburne and to the south,” Rey says, alluding that residents are looking forward to bypassing any congestion on I-35 while gaining easier access to southwest Forth Worth.
And thanks to high-tech toll collecting equipment, the road will be free of toll booths, which will encourage the free flow of traffic.
Fittingly, the roadway will have a decidedly local look and feel, particularly on the northernmost section, where drivers will enjoy custom landscaping.
Motorists will also notice what has been described as a “modern zigzag motif” along the “Southwest
Long Awaited Parkway Coming in 2014buff color” walls of the Parkway, as well as a number of large-scale mosaic tile murals, which are being developed by artists Norie Sato and Lorna Jordan. In spirit, the Chisholm Trail Parkway will be a reflection of modern-day North Texas, Rey says. “Much as the Chisholm Trail once exemplified both Fort Worth and Texas in general.”
By Jason Zasky
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MAnY nAS FORT WORTH JRB STAFF MAKE FORT WORTH A PERMAnEnT HOME
The NAS Forth Worth JRB comprises 40 separate commands and has a $1.3 billion annual economic impact to the Fort Worth and North Central Texas region. Its workforce includes more than 11,000 active-duty military, as well as National Guard and reserve soldiers and civilian employees.
Many of those military personnel redeploy elsewhere when their time at Fort Worth is up, but almost 200,000 of them have opted to stay permanently.
naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base,
the nation’s first joint defense facility, creates a huge economic impact while luring new residents from all over the United States.
living
WhileStay a
Welcomed Heroesthe flag-waving four-year-old daughter of marine and F/a-18 hornet pilot maj. david de Carion welcomes him home after completing a combat tour in iraq.
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naval air stationjoint reserve base
fort worth
Magnetic Forcesmany active and retired service men and women make their homes in Fort Worth, citing a great blend of amenities and military support due to the nas Fort Worth Jrb presence.
livabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 35 34 Fort Worth
retirement in fort worthFor Paine, the area’s many
pluses, besides the chance to tackle a new opportunity, made it a natural for him and his family, and they all wanted to put down some roots after more than a dozen moves during his military career.
“I did not see the job I have now in my future, but it’s been great,” Paine says. “As a base commander, I worked a lot with getting messages out to people, and I do that in my current position.”
At the time, Paine’s daughter had begun college at the University of North Texas in Denton, and his son was in the 11th grade. Neither of them was keen to move; in fact, his son, who had been fine with 11 previous moves, was firm about staying put.
“We’ve never regretted it,” Paine says. “I certainly could have continued on in the military, but that track meant I was constantly on the go. If I tried to make
admiral, that would have been at least three years away from my family. I also could have been posted somewhere they couldn’t accompany me, which was another factor in our decision.”
All good reasons, but in the end, Fort Worth sold itself to the Paines.
“We liked the inclusiveness of Fort Worth, how welcoming the town was. I met a lot of community leaders during my time as base commander, so we had made some good connections, and we just felt like it was the right place to be for us. It’s a very friendly community and not so big that you can’t get to know people.”
commander turned ceoAnother transplant who
remained in Fort Worth is T.D. Smyers, CEO of the American Red Cross, North Texas Region. Like Paine, Smyers also was a base commander – in fact, four have chosen to remain in Fort Worth.
For Smyers, who grew up in nearby Boyd, Fort Worth had always been the “big city,” and after his military service ended in July 2011 it provided the perfect opportunity to build a consulting business based on his experience and strengths.
“I expected to stay here, but wasn’t sure what I would do,” he recalls. “I had success building a consulting firm, and then was contacted by the Red Cross during their restructuring. I had a good rapport with them, and my wife had been on a chapter’s board. I am in a service position where I can both lead and give back, which is ideal for me.”
Fort Worth provides opportunities not just for military personnel, but also for anyone seeking a community where their talents can be put to good use, Smyers says.
by Joe Morris
more than 200,000 military personnel have opted to stay in Fort Worth after completing their time at nas Fort Worth Jrb, attracted by its friendly atmosphere, job opportunities and entertainment options.
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Many people come to Fort Worth by way of the military, and others choose the city for its climate, amenities and overall quality of life. Still others simply never leave. This includes a growing number of retirees, who are finding this a great place to live after their working years are done.
“I’m from Fort Worth, and leaving was never an option,” says James Nichols, chairman emeritus of Freese and Nichols, a well-known engineering firm. Nichols, who is in his late 80s and still keeps office hours, says the growth of retirement-community options has been a boon for the city.
“These multilevel-service communities are keeping people here as they get older, but they also are bringing in more older people because now they have a good place to live that’s near their children,” he says. “These new communities are also near downtown, which has the museums and many other things that are attractive, so they have a lot to offer.”
Some of the major new retirement communities in the area include Lakewood village and Broadway Plaza.
Communities Reinvent the Golden YearsThe full-service retirement
community of Lakewood village is spread out over 51 acres of countryside, but within the city limits, on Fort Worth’s east side. Amenities, in addition to skyline views, include a five-acre, stocked lake.
Because lakewood village is a continuum-of-care facility, it offers both independent and assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health and hospice.
Independent and assisted living also are available at broadway Plaza at cityview, which also offers skilled nursing care. Floor plans range from large apartments to villa homes designed in a neighborhood plan. The property also features a pool and spa, multipurpose room, and even a cocktail lounge for relaxing and spending time with family, friends and neighbors.
By Joe Morris
James nichols, Chairman emeritus of Freese and nichols, on the phyllis J. tilley memorial pedestrian bridge.
livabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 37 36 Fort Worth
Heads of the Classarea sChools and speCialized proGrams develop neW leaders
Schools in Fort Worth deserve gold stars, thanks to a strong public school system and good private schools, colleges and universities.
living: EDUCATION
“TCU has diverse degree programs, a nationally ranked business school, newly renovated dorms, classrooms and stadium; it’s what a BIG XII university is all about. GO Frogs!!”
jessica reddick gatlin, ‘05, YElp.coM coNtRiButoR
Higher Education
colleges and universities
The region’s mix of colleges and universities means more than 325,000 students are enrolled here in higher education at any given time, with more than 30,000 degrees awarded annually. They include such notable names as southwestern baptist theological seminary, tarleton state university-southwest metroplex center, tarrant county college, texas christian university, texas wesleyan university, texas woman’s university, the university of texas at arlington, university of north texas and the university of north texas health science center.
Each of these institutions partners with local municipal and economic development officials to ensure that graduates have a direct pipeline into the local and regional workforce.
tarrant County College’s trinity river east Campus Center for health Care professions.
38 Fort Worth
K-12
Public & Private schools
The fort worth independent school district enrolls approximately 80,000 students in grades K-12 in 144 schools.
Parents and students can also choose to pursue specialized learning tracks based on individual interests and abilities. Parents may pick from many Gold Seal Programs of Choice offered throughout the schools, and there are a handful of Schools of Choice at each grade level.
For example, Southwest Academy of Petroleum Engineering and Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences, a high school-level School of Choice, also earned provisional designation as an Early College High School for the 2012-13 school year. It joined Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School in offering Early College as a Program of Choice, in which students can complete up to two years of college credit toward a degree.
To learn more about programs and Schools of Choice, visit www.fwisd.org/choice.
Fort Worth is also home to more than 200 private schools for different faiths and backgrounds.
For a complete listing of area districts, schools and scores, visit fortworthecodev.com/workforce/education and fortworthchamber.com/education.
By Kevin Litwin
Learning Centers
north texas small business develoPment centers
There are smaller learning centers devoted to specific job training and education, such as the north texas small business development centers. So whether a student seeks a graduate degree or just some brushing up on skills, the Fort Worth-area educational system has just the right program.
students at John t. White elementary.
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 39 38 Fort Worth
Live Wellseveral FaCilities help residents stay healthy
Home to a variety of top-notch hospitals and medical centers, Fort Worth is a health-care haven. The city’s many facilities, conveniently located throughout the area, and services provide quality care to the community.
living: HEALTH
The metroplex’s healthcare industry includes more than 450 biomedical companies, 1,110 research, development and testing laboratories, plus medical and osteopathic schools and hospitals.
cook children’s medical center
Fort Worth’s littlest patients get top-flight care at cook children’s medical center, which has spent millions on
renovations and expansions to its facilities, including the addition of a fracture clinic, urgent care center and heliport in recent years. Cook Children’s has been recognized as a Nurse Magnet-designated organization in honor of its quality patient and nursing excellence. In 2007, the medical center opened the world’s first dual-room IMRIS intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging suite for pediatric patients. Expansion is under way for a new office building and parking garage.
Wealth of Health Resources texas health resources, one of the largest faith-based nonprofit health-care systems in the country, includes 25 acute care and short-stay hospitals, such as texas health harris methodist hospital southwest, texas health harris methodist hospital hurst-euless-bedford and the state’s newest full-service hospital, texas health harris methodist hospital alliance, above, which opened in fall 2012. Meanwhile, texas health harris methodist hospital fort worth recently became the fourth hospital in the United States and first in Texas to receive the Joint Commission’s gold seal of approval in elderly hip fracture treatment.
40 Fort Worth
Plaza medical center of fort worth
Plaza medical center of Fort Worth is another core provider in the city’s medical district. The 320-bed facility offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, and has undergone a $105 million expansion project to add or renovate more than 70,000 square feet of space for a new day-surgery center, private patient rooms, outpatient chemotherapy and more.
Accidents happen, and jPs health network stands ready to treat them, regardless of severity. The facility has been verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the american college of surgeons, big news for an area where more than 20 percent of deaths are attributable to some form of trauma, according to public health data.
By Joe Morris
baylor all saints medical center
baylor all saints medical center has been taking care of medical issues for more than 100 years. The 525-bed hospital has spent more than $300 million on upgraded facilities and services. Within Baylor All Saints is andrews women’s hospital, a facility just for women that includes innovative programs such as the Survivor Gals Salon, which features stylish wigs, scarves and hats for cancer patients. the joan katz center works specifically with breast cancer patients, helping them find community resources, support and coordinating appointments.
huguley memorial medical center
huguley memorial medical center shoulders its share of the community care duties as well, with more than 350 primary care and specialty physicians offering a full range of in- and out-patient services. The center is a member of the Adventist Health System and includes a 213-bed acute care hospital, 24-hour emergency room and open-heart surgery center. In April 2012, the medical center entered an affiliation agreement to become part of Texas Health Resources.
north hills hosPital
north hills hospital also makes the grade and then some, having achieved all three levels of Chest Pain Accreditation, and becoming the first Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery in Tarrant County. North Hills’ rehab center is among the top 10 percent nationwide, and its nurses have received the Pathway to Excellence Award.
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 41 40 Fort Worth
this section is sPonsored by
CommuNItY ProfILEcost of living
$37,293Median Household Income
$126,673Median Home Price
$784Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
transPortation
Median Travel Time to Work
age
temPerature
January Average Low July Average High
ethnicity
19 and Under
20-54
35-54
55 and Over
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
Closest Airport:Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
January Low National Low July High National High
96.6°31.4°31°
76°
20 miles
20.98 minutes
29%
27%
19% 12%
31%
46%
21%
15%
(percentages based on the total = 730,040) (percentages based on the total = 956,612)
Source: Onboard Informatics
See more photos that showcase the Fort Worth’s neighborhoods at livability.com/fort-worth/tx.
School Lesson in Adaptive ReuseThe Homes of Parker Commons development in South Fort Worth offers one- to three-bedroom living spaces, many within two renovated historic school buildings.
living: SEE THE CITY
44 Fort Worth
44 Fort Worth livabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 45
visit ouradvertisersBrants Realtors www.brantsrealtors.com
Bridge Residential Property Services www.bridgelease.com
Cantey Hanger LLP www.canteyhanger.com
First United Methodist Church www.myfumc.org
Fort Worth & Western Railroad Company www.fwwr.net
Fort Worth Country Day www.fwcd.org
Fort Worth Independent School District www.fwisd.org
Fort Worth Library www.fortworthtexas.gov/library
Mira Vista Country Club www.miravistacountryclub.com
Mira Vista, Realtors www.miravistarealtors.com
Sid Richardson Museum www.sidrichardsonmuseum.org
Sundance Square www.sundancesquare.com
Tarrant County College District www.tccd.edu
TCU Energy Institute – Texas Christian University www.energyinstitute.tcu.edu
Texas Ballet Theater & School www.texasballettheater.org
Texas Health Resources www.texashealth.org/fortworth
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law www.law.txwes.edu
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth www.themodern.org
The T – Fort Worth Transportation Authority www.the-t.com
UNT Health Patient Services www.unthealth.org
UNT Health Science Center www.hsc.unt.edu
Williams Trew Sotheby’s International Realty www.williamstrew.com
WE’RE SEARCHING HIGH
46 Fort Worth
BuSINESSInfo on Fort Worth’s top employers, jobs and success stories
Check out more photos of Fort Worth businesses at livability.com/fort-worth/tx/photos-video.
Great Location for BusinessDiverse businesses and industries choose Fort Worth, the nation’s 16th largest city, in part because of its promixity to other major U.S. markets and strong transportation infrastructure. Prominent in this photo shot across the trinity river downtown are Cash America International and Chesapeake Plaza, home of the Pier 1 Imports headquarters.
46 Fort Worth livabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 47
Perpetual SuccessesbUsinesses oF all types thrive in sUperb eConomiC Climate
Hard pressed to list all the positives about running a company in this area, Fort Worth business leaders couldn’t be more pleased to have such a difficulty.
business: OvERvIEW
Employment Growth
diverse commercial center
A mix of well-known players in health care, telecommunications, finance, education, tourism, retail trade and services make Fort Worth a commercial center. They all combine to create a diverse local economy that not only withstands the current economic slowdown, but is poised to go full throttle as the national and international climates improve.
Sometimes those numbers are hard to measure, but the hard facts show that employment is growing at the fourth strongest rate of the country’s top 25 largest metro areas, and Fort Worth has the third largest percentage increase in employment among metropolitan divisions.
Texas was identified as the top state for
growth and business development by CEO magazine.
ACCoLAdE
photo by debra hale, CoUrtesy oF hillWood development Co, llC
Global AppealGermany-based daimler opened an operation center in Fort Worth in 2008. the company offers products and services in the automobile-related finance industry.
48 Fort Worth
Big Economic Players
made for success
Whether large or small, a natural gas company or a high-tech entrepreneurial startup, Fort Worth’s business climate is tailor made
for success. The city is known for its legacy defense manufacturing facilities, including such corporations as lockheed martin and bell helicopter. It’s also the international headquarters for the likes of american airlines, bnsf railway, Pier 1 imports and radioshack. The DFW Metroplex has the fourth highest concentration of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the United States.
Want more? justin brands, fedex, ben e. keith, williamson-dickie and dannon also have settled into Fort Worth and are growing their presence all the time.
By Joe Morris
national Recognition
awards & accolades
This kind of success gets noticed: Fort Worth ranked No. 4 on NewGeography.com’s 2012 list of Best Large Cities in the U.S. for Jobs, and Site Selection named the Fort Worth Chamber a Top 20 Economic Development Organization in the U.S. Site Selection also listed the Dallas/Fort Worth area as the fourth best market for corporate relocation and expansion.
Besides ranking third in the nation for adding private sector jobs in 2011, another contributor to these high profile recognitions is the city’s central location and transportation system, which includes four area airports: DFW International, Alliance, Meacham and Spinks, which collectively serve more than 57 million travelers a year.
The city and its economic development officials are leveraging these assets by investing in both new development and infrastructure improvements to keep businesses moving into, and expanding within, the region. Public and private investors spent nearly $6.5 billion on the 17,000-acre Alliance Airport and Alliance Corridor Industrial Area, which to date created more than 30,000 new jobs, and a spurred many other projects to accommodate growth.
Now add in a low tax structure and business-friendly climate that make it easy to set up shop and expand, and it’s easy to see why Fort Worth is literally growing up, and out, in every direction.
learn more about business in Fort Worth at livability.com/fort-worth/tx/business.
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 49 48 Fort Worth
ExPAnSIOn nEWS KEEPS COMInG FOR FORT WORTH
Businesses know they can succeed and grow in Fort Worth.
In-N-Out Burger chose the city to invest $25 million in its first distribution center outside of Southern California, creating approximately 100 jobs. Ferris Manufacturing moved to the city and hired 60 employees to produce wound-care dressings and diaper rash products at its Northeast Parkway location.
FTS International established an oil and gas hydraulic fracturing operation, and General Electric Transportation chose Fort Worth for expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint beyond its existing operation in Erie, Penn. GE invested $96 million to build a new Fort Worth GE Manufacturing Solutions site for a locomotive railroad assembly facility that
Several companies in Fort Worth, TX, have recently
decided to expand including In-N-Out Burger, Ferris Manufacturing and GE Transportation.
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50 Fort Worth
“We chose Fort Worth principally because of its location, its skilled workforce and its rail-line access.”
walter amaya, plANt MANAgER At gE
MANuFActuRiNg SolutioNS
Evolution® SeriesGe’s evolution is a diesel-electric, heavy-haul locomotive that is manufactured at the new facility.
opened in the first quarter of 2013.
“We chose Fort Worth principally because of its location, its skilled workforce and its rail-line access,” says Walter Amaya, plant manager at GE Manufacturing Solutions.
The company builds GE’s Evolution Series Class 1 diesel-electric locomotives, which reduce fuel use by 5 percent or
640,000 gallons over the lifetime of the locomotive. They also reduce emissions by 40 percent, and there are currently 17,000 GE locomotives in use in more than 50 countries around the world.
mining eQuiPmentGE has also constructed
another $95 million manufacturing facility in Fort Worth to produce electric
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motorized wheel assemblies for off-highway vehicles used primarily in the mining industry. Several U.S. states have a rising demand for mining equipment with motorized wheels and drill motors being key pieces of equipment for off-highway vehicles.
“Fort Worth and the State of Texas made us so comfortable that we later decided to increase our initial locomotive manufacturing investment by establishing a second manufacturing plant,” Amaya says. “In addition to the facilities themselves, the Fort Worth operations represent a significant investment in recruiting, hiring and training. Approximately 350 highly skilled employees have been hired to date at the Fort Worth facilities in areas such as machining, fabricating, welding and assembly, and that number will grow as our manufacturing process matures.”
alcon and atcAnother economic headline-
maker, Alcon Lab Holdings Inc., recently added to its existing Fort Worth campus. Alcon develops, manufacturers and markets surgical equipment, as well as pharmaceuticals and vision care products. Their expansion project includes the creation of a Finance Service Center for North America, thereby adding 800 jobs to its 3,250-employee staff in Fort Worth. The median wage for the new jobs at Alcon is expected to be $90,000.
Also looking to expand in Fort Worth is ATC Logistics & Electronics Inc., which already has three facilities in the city and 1,700 employees. Tentative plans for the nation’s second-largest third-party logistics provider are to expand its building presence in Fort Worth in two phases –one by December 2013 and another by December 2016, with the addition of more than 350 employees.
by Kevin Litwin
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52 Fort Worth
fts internationalFTS International, a leading independent provider of well-stimulation services for the oil and gas industry, manufactures pumps and units and replacement parts in its Fort Worth facility. www.ftsi.com
Pier 1 imPortsNationally known retailer Pier 1 Imports is headquartered in Fort Worth. Pier 1 specializes in home furnishings and accessories, and has more than 1,000 stores in the United States and Canada. www.pier1.com
acme brickSince 1891, Acme Brick has provided customers with quality bricks and stones for their building needs. The company offers a 100-year limited warranty and participates in the Good Housekeeping® Seal of Approval program. www.brick.com
gamestoPGameStop’s headquarters is in Grapevine, TX. GameStop is the world’s largest multichannel video game retailer with more than 6,500 stores in 17 countries. Customers will find games, hardware, accessories and more. www.gamestop.com
hillwood ProPertiesHillwood Properties is one of the top developers in the country. Its founding project, Alliance Texas, attracted 220 companies. Other projects include Fort Worth Alliance Airport and the 300-acre Alliance Town Center. www.hillwood.com
Business Spotlight
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 53 52 Fort Worth
President John F. Kennedy’s last address prior to his assassination Nov. 22, 1963 happened here when he delivered an address during a breakfast hosted by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
In the speech, Kennedy called attention to Fort Worth’s roles in national defense and aviation history, and also spoke
of leadership, space exploration and America’s role on the international stage.
To commemorate JFK’s appearance, the Chamber will host a 50th Anniversary Breakfast on Nov. 22, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Fort Worth, the former Hotel Texas, where Kennedy stayed the evening prior.
“The breakfast in November 2013 will feature retired Secret Service agent Clint Hill, who will forever be remembered as the courageous Secret Service agent who leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine in the midst of the assassination,” says Marilyn Gilbert, executive vice president of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. “His primary responsibility was the protection of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.”
New York Times best-selling author and former news anchor Lisa McCubbin will conduct a live interview with Hill.
“Hill will share his experiences as a first-hand witness to Jackie Kennedy’s life, since he acted as primary Secret Service agent to the First Lady from her initial day in the White House through the assassination,” Gilbert says. “With extensive use of photos and videos, Hill and McCubbin will share the joys and ultimate tragedy of the Kennedys’ experiences.”
jfk memorialIn other JFK news, a committee
of residents led by co-chairs Taylor and Shirlee J. Gandy unveiled a new sculpture of President Kennedy on Nov. 8, 2012, in General Worth Square (see image on pages 22-23).
The sculpture and memorial, now part of the City of Fort Worth’s public art collection, highlight key points he made during his address here. The unveiling date marked 50 years after Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in the presidential election on Nov. 8, 1962, to become youngest president (45 years old) in history. Along with the Gandys, Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives Inc. heavily backed the project, which had multiple donors.
by Kevin Litwin
Remembering JFKevent observes 50th anniversary oF his speeCh to Fort Worth Chamber
business: CHAMBER REPORT
54 Fort Worth
ECoNomIC ProfILE
household income
education level
Associate Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate Degree
taxes
2%Local Sales Tax
6.25%State Sales Tax
8.25%Total Sales Tax
scorecard
$10BAnnual Retail Sales
$1.25BAnnual Hotel and Food Sales
54,916Total Number of Firms
toP emPloyers
University of Texas Arlington*, City of Fort Worth, JPS Health Network
NAS Fort Worth JRB, Fort Worth ISD, Arlington ISD
AMR/American Airlines, Texas Health Resources, Lockheed Martin
14,0
00
+e
mp
loye
es
8,0
00
+e
mp
loye
es
4,0
00
+e
mp
loye
es
transPortation
bnsf railway www.bnsf.com
dfw international airportwww.dfwairport.com
alliance airportwww.allianceairport. com
meacham internationalwww.fortworthtexas.gov/aviation/meacham
union Pacificwww.up.com
$100,000+
$30,000-$99,999
$29,999 and under
trinity railway expresswww.trinityrailway express.org
fort worth’s cost of living is nearly 14 percent below the national average. meanwhile, the dallas-fort worth region was named no. 1 in job gains among u.s. metropolitan cities from january 2010 to january 2011.
Source: U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics. (2011)
cost of living
$37,293Median Household Income
$126,673Median Home Price
$784Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
the twww.the-t.com
25% 19%
56%
(percentages based on the total 144,615 college students in Fort Worth only, per Onboard Informatics)
Source: US Census Bureau QuickFacts
Source: Onboard Informatics
47,842
134,518
78,694
l ivabil it y.Com/Fort-Worth/ t x 55 54 Fort Worth
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54 tHet–FortWortH transPortationaUtHority
41 UntHealtHPatientserviCes
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C4 WilliaMstreWsotHeBy’s internationalrealty
fort worth2013 EdItIoN voLumE 3
Texaseditor | lisa BattlesContributing Writers | laura Hill, Joe Morris, Jason ZaskyContent Coordinator | Jessica Walker Boehmstaff Writer | Kevin litwinproofreading manager | Raven petty
lead designer | Kara leibysenior Graphic designers | Stacey Allis, laura gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki WilliamsGraphic designers | Kacey passmore, Matt WestCreative technology analyst | Becca Ary
lead photographer | Michael contisenior photographers | Jeff Adkins, Brian Mccordstaff photographers | Martin B. cherry, Wendy Jo o’Barr, Frank ordonezColor imaging technician | Alison Hunter
integrated media manager | Brandon Allensales support project manager | Sara Quintsales support Coordinator | christina Morgan
ad production manager | Katie Middendorfad traffic assistants | Krystin lemmon, patricia Moisan
Web project manager | david day digital project manager | Jill Ridenourdigital products designer | Erica lampleyWeb development lead | Yamel HallWeb developer i | Nels NoseworthyWeb designer ii | Richard StevensWeb product manager | John Hood
Chairman | greg thurmanpresident/publisher | Bob Schwartzmanexecutive vice president | Ray langensenior v.p./sales | todd pottersenior v.p./Client development | Jeff Heefnersenior v.p./operations | casey Hester
v.p./sales | Jarek Swekoskyv.p./Content operations | Natasha lorensaudience development director | deanna NelsonCreative services director | christina cardendistribution director | gary Smithphotography director | Jeffrey S. ottoWeb services director | Allison davis
Controller | chris dudleysenior accountant | lisa owensaccounts payable Coordinator | Maria McFarlandaccounts receivable Coordinator | diana guzman
it director | daniel cantrell
executive secretary | Kristy duncanhuman resources manager | peggy Blakereceptionist | linda Bishop
Livability Fort Worth, Texas is published annually by Journal communications inc. and is distributed through the Fort Worth chamber of commerce and its member businesses.
For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal communications inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at [email protected].
For more information, contact:Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce777 Taylor Street, Suite 900 • Fort Worth, TX 76102Phone: (817) 336-2491 • Fax: (817) 877-4034www.fortworthchamber.com
visit Livability Fort Worth, Texas online at livability.com/fort-worth/tx.
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