Plan to renovate Fort Worth Public Market expected within weeks

By Barry Shlachter, Scott Nishimura and Sandra Baker

Star-Telegram Staff Writers

The owners of the Fort Worth Public Market expect to have a preliminary plan in the next couple of weeks regarding a direction for renovating the historic property on Henderson Street.

Bowen Properties hired Innovative Developers Inc. in Fort Worth, a development, construction and real estate service firm, to come up with ideas for the nearly 80-year-old property. IDI has brought on Michael Bennett and James Toal of the Gideon Toal engineering firm to prepare the planning and design portions of the study.

Edmund Frost, grandson of R.C. Bowen, who bought the building in 1944, said the study should cover such things as renovation costs, what the building’s worth, and how much rent the owners can expect.

Frost said initial discussions have focused on renovating the building for offices. The property has been vacant since 2004.

"The approach we’re following will make people in Fort Worth very happy," Frost said.

This week, the Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission approved the owner’s request to designate the property as "highly significant endangered." It is the city’s highest historic designation and one that can provide for significant incentives for redevelopment.

In 2008, the Public Market, 1400 Henderson St., was placed on Historic Fort Worth’s most endangered properties list.

It was listed a Texas Historic Landmark in 1980 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places four years later.

The Spanish Colonial Revival structures have been little altered since it was built in 1930 as a public market. The landmark has a prominent tower entrance built with terra cotta tiles and stained glass.

The Bowen Bus Co. operated from there for many years. It also has been leased by a series of companies, including a World War II aircraft manufacturer and more recently an aircraft-components manufacturer.

A Mapsco master

Cindy Dunn began using Mapsco as a volunteer driver for Meal on Wheels of Tarrant County. Today, she’s the first Mapsco "Road Scholar."

Dunn, a Meals on Wheels administrative assistant, was selected in a recent contest held by the mapmaking company for her "outstanding use" of Mapsco products to help her deliver meals.

"Cindy is a shining example of what a Mapsco Road Scholar should be," said Tracy Eubanks, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Mapsco. "We are pleased that Cindy is sharing her hard-won map-reading skills with others to benefit our community."

Dunn received a $250 Mapsco gift certificate, and her photo and story will be in the 60th-edition Dallas Street Guide and 41st-edition Fort Worth Street Guide to come out in 2010.

Corralling in a sponsor

Fort Worth-based XTO Energy isn’t just into oil and gas production. Long a significant contributor to and a participant in civic causes and community events, it’s now saddled up as a title sponsor of the National Cutting Horse Association, said Jeff Hooper. the association’s executive director.

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