Courtesy Panther City District
A commercial and industrial area near downtown Fort Worth is forging a new identity as Panther City District, officials with the new nonprofit entity announced this week.
This initiative is driven by a consortium of businesses in the area that want to foster growth while staying true to the neighborhood’s industrious nature, a press release says. The Panther City District website launched June 1, providing visibility for businesses, listing properties available, and reinforcing the “district’s ‘rise and roar’ sensibility.”
At the heart of the effort is revitalizing commerce and renewing excitement to attract like-minded businesses to the community, located east of University Drive and north of White Settlement Road in west Fort Worth.
“First thing’s first, when you say ‘Panther City District,’ we want people to know where it is,” says Will Churchill, co-owner of Fort Brewery and a member of the Panther City District board, in a statement. “From there, they begin to understand the culture of the district and the desire to be part of it.”
To mark the launch of the district, Agency Habitat hosted a gathering of Panther City District neighbors on June 2.
Courtesy Panther City District
The organization’s board of directors is made up of representatives from area businesses and property owners who have led the strategy behind launching Panther City District. Members include: Churchill; Robert Lydick of H\FW Capital Partners, L.P.; Will James of Defender Outdoors; Bryan Barrett of Keystone Group, L.P.; and Neil Foster of Agency Habitat.
There are four membership levels at which businesses can join Panther City District, with price points to fit budgets of all sizes.
“We not only want to increase awareness of this often overlooked area but, more importantly, create a greater sense of community,” says Foster. “Since we’re all invested in and passionate about our neighborhood, one of our main goals is to bring business owners together and raise the tide for everyone.”
“With business owners together under a unified front, we’ll have a greater voice than any one person or group acting on their own ever could,” says Lydick, founding partner and general counsel of H\FW Capital.
For more information about membership, area businesses, and the Panther City District mission, visit www.panthercitydistrict.com.
