Fort Worth finds new site for downtown library; council to vote on land purchase
The city of Fort Worth plans to build a downtown library in the 900 block of Summit Avenue.
The City Council will vote at its June 23 meeting on purchasing 1.38 acres between 10th and Texas streets for $5.95 million, according to a press release from the Fort Worth Public Library.
“We are excited that an ideal site for a new downtown library has been found so quickly, a step that will keep the project moving forward,” said Library Director Midori Clark. “We are committed to making this new library one that Fort Worth residents will be proud of for years to come.”
The city plans to build a 30,000-square-foot library at a cost of $35.6 million, city officials said during a June 2 work session. The public will “have opportunities to provide input on what should be incorporated into the new downtown library.”
The former library at 500 W. Third St. sold in May 2023, and the city purchased the Center for Transforming Lives building at 512 W. Fourth St. with plans to convert the structure into a library. But after a “thorough assessment” of the building, the city ultimately decided it was not fit to be the new library.
It will instead be renovated and turned into a community arts incubator according to the city.
The temporary satellite library, Downtown Express, will remain open and offer “limited library services” at Old City Hall, 200 Texas St.
