Fort Worth’s Near Southside Primed To Become Innovative Economic Force

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Earlier this year, Fort Worth leaders had plans for a first-of-its-kind medical innovation district south of downtown, an ambitious undertaking that could attract medical-related enterprises to the city and potentially could become an innovation hub.

A new JLL report shows just how much Near Southside has grown over the years—with the potential to become a major medical hub. The city’s plan would connect existing medical institutions and organizations with startups and business incubators with hopes to attract thousands of additional healthcare and technology-related jobs to the area, according to JLL’s report.

Near Southside is already home to major healthcare centers such as Cook Children’s Healthcare System, Texas Health Harris Methodist, Baylor Scott & White, and Medical City Fort Worth.

The 1,400-acre area known as the Medical Innovation District called Near Southside (PHOTO CREDIT: Fort Worth Economic Development Department)

In the report, JLL examines the history and future of the 1,400-acre area called Near Southside. JLL refers to the Fort Worth district as “an emerging mixed-use district” where some of the city’s newest retail, office, and multifamily housing projects are located. The area has roughly 30,000 people employed within its boundaries, making it the second largest employment center in Tarrant County outside of downtown Fort Worth.

INTERACTIVE MAP: JLL map shows the growth from 2007 to 2019 in the Near Southside

The Near Southside area was first developed in the early 1900s in the area north of the Fairmont residential neighborhood. A nonprofit, member-funded organization called Near Southside Inc. was formed in 1995 to look after the area’s development. The nonprofit also manages Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. 4, which was created in 1997 to help with revitalization efforts.

In the ensuing years, Near Southside has seen major economic growth. The district’s taxable value was $229.7 million in 1997 and $729.3 million in 2017, according to JLL. Near Southside is projected to have increased its base value by just over 350 percent to over $1 billion by fiscal year 2024.

Improved Infrastructure And Housing Growth

Infrastructure in the area has been improved with the 2014 retrofit of West Rosedale Street from a six-lane road to a four-lane street with bike lanes, on-street parking, and pedestrian improvements. An $8.5 million reconstruction of South Main Street also happened last year.

The Hemphill-Lamar Connector, a $53 million tunnel under Interstate 30 with rail lines providing another downtown route, is scheduled to open in 2020.

Housing in the area has also seen growth in recent years with roughly 2,000 multifamily units having been built since 2000 and three more currently under construction. On top of this, an additional 300 units have been proposed, including a 10-story mixed-use project.

A proposed 2.1-mile extension of TEXRail southwest would add a new station to serve the major hospitals in Near Southside. Those hospitals provide a major economic and employment base for the area, according to JLL.

According to a 2014 study by the University of North Texas, the healthcare facilities in Near Southside have an annual economic impact of $4.2 billion for the city of Fort Worth and $5.5 billion throughout Tarrant County.

Robert Sturns, the economic development director for the city of Fort Worth, told Dallas Innovates earlier this year that the hope is Near Southside would “become the most livable medical district in the U.S.”

Creating a medical innovation district in Near Southside was a key finding from the Economic Development Plan accepted by the City Council at the end of 2017. The plan’s goal is to compete successfully on the national and international stage for “creative, high-growth businesses and the talented individuals who fuel them.”

The University of Texas at Arlington’s Center for Transportation, Equity, Decisions and Dollars was contracted to study the district’s needs and strengths, and Schaefer Advertising is expected to develop messaging and a brand for Near Southside Inc.

Near Southside has been a focus of innovative thinking in placemaking for years. The Brookings Institute’s global urbanization specialist Bruce Katz noted in 2016 that the area was “one of the most eclectic micro-economies I’ve ever encountered,” featuring everything from cultural and fine arts to hospitals and beer and whiskey manufacturing.

 

Source: Dallas Innovates

5 Factors Shaping Healthcare Facility Construction In U.S.

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Healthcare facility construction can be influenced by a number of things, ranging from development costs to the level of potential patient comfort.

Healthcare architecture firms, Simone Health, implements their knowledge surrounding the development of healthcare facilities to share 5 factors shaping US healthcare facility construction.

1. Integrated Approach: Need for Multi-Use Facilities

Multi-use facilities are becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare community because of their ability to offer more flexible and personalized patient care. The importance of quality patient care has become more prioritized and some small-scale centers offer a level of care, comfort and convenience that is missing when it comes to major healthcare facilities

2. Increase Technology:  Must be Used to Its Full Potential

The implementation of increased health IT resources can drastically improve the quality of care that is delivered by health experts. When constructing healthcare facilities, updated technology must be used to its full potential. Providing accurate patient records in a shorter amount of time allows doctors to better understand patient needs and can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment.

3. Sustainability

Healthcare facilities use large amounts of energy and resources in order to maintain function and operate smoothly. The construction of healthcare facilities that keep maintainable and green options in mind promotes cost-savings, sustainability, and long-term value.

4. Costs

Healthcare facility construction is driven by costs and cost-saving techniques. The right approach when it comes to the planning and design of a healthcare facility can lower the overall costs of construction. Decisions such as the prefabrication of buildings is essential for producing a cost-effective building design.

5. Modular & Prefab Options: Help Plan for Growth

Modular construction options consist of using repeated prefabricated structures. The pieces are constructed remotely and then assembled on-site, using a factory-like manufacturing technique to make the sections of the building in half the normal time. Modular and prefabricated buildings also offer an extremely cost-effective option for construction that will ultimately promote a plan for facility growth.

 

Source: PR Newswire

$7.9M Medical Office Building Set For The Clearfork West Development In SW Fort Worth, Texas

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In the first ground-up project for its tenant partnership program, SkyWalker Property Partners has started site work on a $7.9-million medical office building on the last commercial tract in the Edwards family’s Clearfork West development in southwest Fort Worth.

Edwards Ranch Medical Building rendering (CREDIT: MICHAEL JESTER)

SkyWalker Property is developing the 20,200-square foot project at 5612 Edwards Ranch Rd. for its fund, When Opportunity Knocks LLC. Dr. Nathan Lesley, a orthopedic hand surgeon based in Fort Worth, has leased 50% of the two-story building and invested in the project. The 10,100-square foot balance is available for lease.

The as-yet unnamed project will be situated within a short drive of the Fort Worth medical district, where Lesley has his current office in the Fort Worth Hand Center. The 1.8-acre site also is close to Chisholm Trail Parkway and Interstates 20, 30 and 35.

“We had been searching a long time for a building to buy and renovate. Development seemed to be the quickest and best way to meet Dr. Lesley’s expansion needs,” said Gary Walker, founder and president of Arlington-based SkyWalker Property Partners. “When you can’t find what you want, you start to think ‘where would you want to build.’ We were fortunate to be able to acquire this site, which is an ideal location for his expanding practice.”

The medical office building will be completed in Q1 2020. Prim Construction LLC of Fort Worth is the general contractor. The local architect is 97w, a collaborative design firm. Frost Bank is the project lender. Walker‘s longtime colleagues Theron Bryant and Casey Tounget of Transwestern have been retained to lease the 10,100 square foot of available first-floor medical/general office space. Lesley has signed a 10-year lease for the entire second level to house his practice and full-service physical therapy clinic, The Hand & Upper Extremity Institute.

“Unfortunately, health-care costs continue to rise. With SkyWalker’s help, The Hand and Upper Extremity Institute will have the ability to offer comprehensive care from the initial patient visit through surgical procedures and physical therapy, if necessary,” Lesley said. “This will allow us to manage costs while continuing our mission of providing exceptional care to every patient, every time.”

The developer of record, I Can See Clear Fork Now LLC, is a single-purpose entity of SkyWalker‘s co-investment program, which requires a five- to 10-year lease commitment. Under the tenant partnership agreement, SkyWalker Property will build and provide leasing services until occupancy stabilization is achieved.

“This investment strategy was always intended to be a flexible facilitator of user/tenant needs. We’ve taken it to the next level with this ground-up project,” Walker explains. “And, we’re optimistic the future holds more tenant partnerships.”

Source: Fort Worth Business Press