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.<\/p>\n
The project, known simply as Walsh, is named after the family that owns the land near where Interstate 30 connects to Interstate 20.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to be a huge deal,\u201d said Fort Worth councilman Zim Zimmerman. \u201cIt\u2019s really a big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
It won\u2019t be completed for years, but they\u2019re already moving dirt for the new development.<\/p>\n
A brand new overpass called Walsh Ranch Parkway is already in place along with a road that leads into the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalsh will be the largest project of its kind ever built in North Texas,\u201d said Jake Wagner, co-top executive of the Republic Property group, which is developing the massive project. \u201cOur vision is to create the next great neighborhood in Fort Worth.\u201d<\/p>\n
It will eventually span 11-square miles on both sides of the interstate. The first part will be built on the north side.<\/p>\n
Nearby, another smaller neighborhood, called \u201cMorningstar,\u201d is even further along.<\/p>\n
It all means big changes for the few people already living in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like having the open rolling hills over there,\u201d said 83-year-old Lois Banta, pointing to the view outside her front door.<\/p>\n
Progress means the view will change, with the influx of people.
\n\u201cI prefer cows,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
And with the change come challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hard part is moving the people,\u201d Zimmerman said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Aledo Independent School District plans on breaking ground soon for a new school. Fort Worth will add a fire station.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Walsh can be an anchor for Fort Worth and really an economic catalyst for the entire region,\u201d Wagner said.<\/p>\n
Zimmerman said the city is up to the challenge.<\/p>\n