Downtown Fort Worth Inc. is set to host a street party from noon to 2 p.m. today to mark the reopening of Eighth Street, a section of road that had been closed since an explosion at the Sandman Hotel in January disrupted local business operations. The event is designed to funnel support to the enterprises that line the streets between Throckmorton and Houston streets, according to the City of Fort Worth.
Event-goers can expect freebies, such as a Downtown T-shirt handed out to attendees while supplies last, according to the official event page. To sweeten the deal, La’Creamian ice cream will be given gratis to the first 100 guests, courtesy of The Sandman Signature Hotel. Beyond treats, a musical duo is slated to set the atmosphere with live melodies throughout the festivity.
There's more in store for those joining the celebration. They have the opportunity to win an "Eighth Street package." The package includes various downtown experiences and goodies—a pair of Downtown Cowtown Segway tours, gift cards to dining locales like The Archibald and Thompson's, a literary collection from Barber's Bookstore, and a pampering set from Dalton's Hair Salon.
January's explosion cast a shadow over Eighth Street businesses for months, as cleanup and repairs ensued. In a move to buoy these businesses, the City’s Economic Development Department and the Local Development Corporation provided over $137,000 in grants to four entrepreneurs directly affected by the incident. This financial pump was meant to help alleviate the revenue deficits incurred during, the rather extended recovery period.
