The redevelopment of the former Woodhaven Country Club in Fort Worth is moving forward despite opposition from local residents and ongoing legal disputes. The 163-acre property, which had been closed and went into foreclosure, was acquired last year by Crescendo Development for $8.5 million. Led by investor Will Northern, Crescendo secured zoning approval for a mixed-use project at 913 Country Club Lane in East Fort Worth.
Plans for the site include a community center, new housing, office space, an urban farm, and a renovated golf course. Supporters such as the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and some neighborhood groups believe the project could help revitalize an area that has long consisted mainly of older apartments and single-family homes.
However, some residents have voiced concerns that the development does not match the needs or demographics of the existing community and may lead to displacement of long-term inhabitants. During a City Plan Commission meeting on September 17, Crescendo described the proposal as a $167.7 million private investment expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs and generate $15.6 million in tax revenue over ten years. The commission postponed its decision until October 1 to allow more time for public review.
The project has also become entangled in legal issues. Michael Crain, a Fort Worth City Council member and former business partner of Northern, filed a lawsuit in June alleging he was excluded from the Woodhaven deal. Crain’s attorneys characterized this as “a personal betrayal,” while Northern’s legal team dismissed it as politically motivated.
The lawsuit also targets a substitute trustee involved in the acquisition process and seeks over $1 million in damages along with injunctions to halt further action on the land. Crain abstained from voting during February’s rezoning decision related to the property.
Currently, the case is being heard by Judge Jerry Bullard at Texas’ newly established Business Court after lawmakers reduced its minimum claim threshold from $10 million to $5 million. Crain’s lawyers are seeking to move proceedings back to state district court on jurisdictional grounds; a hearing is scheduled for October 6 at Texas A&M’s Fort Worth campus.
Meanwhile, Crescendo has begun marketing parts of the property online: one 62-acre tract at 5500 Randol Mill Road is listed on LoopNet for $4 million—about $65,000 per acre—and another listing appears on Crexi after being available for nearly six months.
Crescendo continues promoting its vision for Woodhaven as an opportunity to transform East Fort Worth if legal challenges do not impede progress.
