A section of Panther Island in Fort Worth may soon see taller buildings as the city considers rezoning 15.4 acres near downtown. The proposal would allow structures up to 15 stories high, compared to the current five-story limit for most projects in the area. The land affected by this proposed change lies between North Commerce Street and the future Ring Road, and between Northeast Fourth and Fifth streets, close to the Coyote Drive-In site at 223 NE Fourth Street.
The Fort Worth Zoning Commission is scheduled to review the rezoning case this week, with a City Council vote expected on October 21. If approved, this move would permit both tall towers and smaller mixed-use buildings in line with the city’s form-based code and canal-focused master plan.
For years, Fort Worth has aimed to develop Panther Island—a largely underused 500-acre district north of downtown—into a major urban destination. The overall vision includes investments exceeding $1.1 billion and involves building new canal systems for flood control. In 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated $403 million for these flood mitigation efforts, enabling further development plans.
According to a report by HR&A Advisors and Lake Flato architects, areas within Panther Island have been divided into zones to prioritize construction phases before all flood control improvements are complete. Early redevelopment could focus on a 12-acre segment along North Main Street that has already seen zoning changes allowing building heights up to 20 stories and lifting restrictions on floor plate sizes.
Susan Alanis, program director for Panther Island at the Tarrant Regional Water District, told council members last month: “The rezoning sets the stage for the first phase of canal construction, slated to start next year.” She indicated that a request for developer proposals regarding canal design and construction is expected later this fall.
Private investment in Panther Island has lagged since Encore apartments opened in 2018 as one of its few significant developments featuring a man-made waterway. City officials continue adjusting zoning rules across Panther Island with hopes of encouraging higher-density projects oriented around transit access.
Recent studies point out that pedestrian infrastructure remains fragmented on Panther Island; connectivity—including links to the Trinity Trail system—has been described as “notably inadequate.”
If city leaders approve this latest rezoning measure, it could accelerate early redevelopment efforts as Fort Worth transitions from long-term planning toward actual construction work on Panther Island.
