Is this North Texas city building its own San Antonio-style river walk?
It may not be Venice, Italy, but the San Antonio River Walk remains one of the most iconic destinations across the country. Anyone making their first trip to San Antonio will always end up at the River Walk, even if it is a major tourist trap. Still, it appears one city up in North Texas might be trying to replicate the Alamo City's culture .
The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) is in the middle of a $1.6 billion project to reroute the Trinity River. The developments - Panther Island and the Central City Flood Project - aim to transform 800 acres of land north of downtown Fort Worth. Panther Island, specifically, is being created by rerouting the Trinity River, turning a historically industrial area into a "vibrant and sustainable community." Within that rerouting is the creation of the Panther Island Canals, a project not too dissimilar from San Antonio's famed River Walk.
"The Panther Island Canal System will allow development opportunities for a mix of private and public buildings and open spaces to provide an authentic experience for residents and visitors," TRWD officials said to MySA in a statement. "The Canals will link open spaces and the riverfront and fulfill infrastructure requirements throughout Panther Island. They will serve as linear pedestrian spines, function as stormwater detention and floodwater protection systems, and provide a distinctive waterfront experience to enhance connectivity and access."
Panther Island will house four canals once finished, as outlined by the TRWD's Panther Island Canal System Manual . Canal A will cut through the south island, while Canals B, C and D will weave through the north island.
A new filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) gives some context for the canals' construction timelines. The filing shows Canals B, C and D construction is aiming to begin on June 30 and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2028. The entire project is expected to cost more than $9.6 million, but all TDLRs are subject to change without notice.
This article originally published at Is this North Texas city building its own San Antonio-style river walk? .
