Community engagement took center stage at the Shamblee Library where more than a hundred locals dined on Smoke-a-holics BBQ before sitting down to a fireside chat with Royal Capital, the new developers of the Evans & Rosedale project. The event, co-hosted by the City of Fort Worth, aimed to foster a relationship between Milwaukee-based Royal Capital and the Historic Southside community, as reported by the City of Fort Worth official website.
Residents and business owners listened attentively as Councilmember Chris Nettles of District 8 and Fort Worth's Director of Economic Development, Robert Sturns, initiated the proceedings. The event, moderated by Lorraine Miller of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, delved into the area’s historical significance through the lens of Jan Higgins, historian and board member of the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum.
According to the City of Fort Worth, Royal Capital's CEO Kevin Newell discussed his real estate and finance background, detailing his journey through the national developer search. Emphasizing community involvement, Newell highlighted prior experience in similar projects and Royal Capital’s desire to work alongside communities striving for their advancement.
During a short public Q&A reported by the city's website, additional Royal Capital team members, Terrell Walter and Brian Mays, took the floor to address concerns about the impact of development on the unhoused population, opportunities for minority contractors, and fears of potential displacement due to higher taxes. The conversation shed light on the dilemmas faced by a neighborhood at the crossroads of development and preservation.
