Fort Worth's historic Stop Six neighborhood undergoes major changes marked by the grand opening of Cowan Place Senior Living on November 15. Situated at 5400 E. Rosedale St., Cowan Place embodies the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative, aiming to reshape the identity of this historic African American community, per the City of Fort Worth news report.
The establishment, named after Alonzo and Sarah Cowan, the neighborhood’s earliest landowners, stands not only as a building but as a testament to preserving the rich heritage of a community that has experienced various social and economic trials.
Fort Worth Housing Solutions President Mary-Margaret Lemons affirmed that Cowan Place is a result of community collaboration with Stop Six and committed partners. Fort Worth Housing Solutions has future plans to develop approximately 1,000 units across this community, furthering its drive to expand affordable housing.
The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative, buoyed by a hefty $35 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, unfolds across six phases. It aims to yield around $500 million in investment for the neighborhood. Along with housing development, the City of Fort Worth also has plans for a new community hub, an aquatics center, and infrastructure improvement, with an additional $4 million for public infrastructure enhancements supplied by the federal government.
City Council member and District 5 representative Gyna Bivens identified Cowan Place as a "beacon of light" for senior citizens and praised Fort Worth Housing Solutions' commitment to providing replacement housing. She cited Hughes House as a potential example that may generate more residents soon, according to the City of Fort Worth news report.
The Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative, evolving over the years due to efforts made by residents, community leaders, and stakeholders, adheres to guidelines outlined in a 2019 Transformation Plan. This ambitious plan sketches out a plan for new mixed-income housing, commercial space, neighborhood improvements, and a multipurpose community hub, including an aquatics center.
In 2020, a $35 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant was awarded to Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development. This financial assistance strengthens the city's commitment to transforming this historic southeast community of Fort Worth into a "neighborhood of choice," granting access to quality education, healthcare, services, and amenities.
