Walsh neighborhood to be biggest of its kind in North Texas
A massive new development in West Fort Worth will eventually add 50,000 people and 15,000 upscale homes on what is now mostly wide-open ranch land.
The project, known simply as Walsh, is named after the family that owns the land near where Interstate 30 connects to Interstate 20.
“This is going to be a huge deal,” said Fort Worth councilman Zim Zimmerman. “It’s really a big deal.”
It won’t be completed for years, but they’re already moving dirt for the new development.
A brand new overpass called Walsh Ranch Parkway is already in place along with a road that leads into the neighborhood.
“Walsh will be the largest project of its kind ever built in North Texas,” said Jake Wagner, co-top executive of the Republic Property group, which is developing the massive project. “Our vision is to create the next great neighborhood in Fort Worth.”
It will eventually span 11-square miles on both sides of the interstate. The first part will be built on the north side.
Nearby, another smaller neighborhood, called “Morningstar,” is even further along.
It all means big changes for the few people already living in the area.
“I like having the open rolling hills over there,” said 83-year-old Lois Banta, pointing to the view outside her front door.
Progress means the view will change, with the influx of people.
“I prefer cows,” she said.
And with the change come challenges.
“The hard part is moving the people,” Zimmerman said.
Already, plans are in place to widen I-30 from Hulen Street to I-20, and widen I-20 all the way to Weatherford, he said.
The Aledo Independent School District plans on breaking ground soon for a new school. Fort Worth will add a fire station.
“I think Walsh can be an anchor for Fort Worth and really an economic catalyst for the entire region,” Wagner said.
Zimmerman said the city is up to the challenge.
“I think the real trick we’re going to have is keep Fort Worth large but with that small-town atmosphere,” he said.
NBC DFW, by Scott Gordon | August 03, 2016 | Original article here
