We’d like to share a vision with you, for the conscious re-imagination and re-construction of Butler Place, a generous slice of transformational pie, without a doubt.
For those that don’t know, Butler place is a triangle-shaped plot on 42 hilly acres in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. Since 1940 it has served as government housing for the underprivileged. Named after Henry H. Butler, a Civil War veteran, pastor, and the first African American teacher in the Fort Worth school system, it has a rich history: read what recently passed community leader Dee Jennings had to say about it here. Although Butler Place was once a welcomed solution for thousands of families living in poverty at the end of the Great Depression, time has taken its toll on the weathered red brick apartments and the need to deconcentrate the “projects” was long overdue. The last few remaining tenants were relocated last year (2020) to more desirable mixed-income neighborhoods. Now the buildings stand hauntingly vacant anticipating the birth of their new life. Let me drop this fact right here real quick so you understand why you should care and why you should keep reading.
The American Lung Association rated the region’s [DFW] ozone status an “F” in the 2019 State of the Air report. Out of the 229 cities included in this report, the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranked 21st for worst ozone levels.
IQair
Choices being made about Butler Place have the enigmatic potential to not only improve the quality of the air, but to change the course of history and (Fort Worth Housing Solutions), who are charged with these decisions, do not take their responsibility for granted. They sought the community’s input and, in 2016, established a Butler Advisory Committee to make recommendations about the site’s redevelopment to the FWHS Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners will carefully deliberate on the matter and not rush into a decision. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we intend to get it right,” said FWHS President Mary-Margaret Lemons.
FWHS states, “The community’s input is extremely important as we moves forward with making decisions about the Butler Place property. Any redevelopment plan will ensure that FWHS gains the resources needed to purchase, rehabilitate and develop high-quality, reasonably priced housing for the city’s workforce. It will enable us to stay true to our mission: to develop housing solutions where people flourish.“
Where Butler Place stands Presently
- The ULI (Urband Land Institute) recommended establishing a Butler Advisory Committee, and preserving some part of the historic property to respect the legacy of the African American community.
- The ULI panel concluded that even with significant investment, the 412-unit Butler complex cannot be transformed into a viable, livable community due to the condition of the units and the freeway construction on all sides of the development that isolated the community. The panel proposed a “big idea” for connecting the property to the downtown through a massive investment of infrastructure, including decking over railroad tracks.
What we envision for Butler Place is the same thing FWHS would like to see. We dream of a “big idea” that is “transformative” and “catalytic” yet still preserves it’s history, and remains true to the spirit of it’s namesake Henry Butler. On January 9, 1948 this was stated at his funeral, “Whereas, Dr. H.H.Butler sainted and devoted humanitarian is one of that host of men who like the few who followed Jesus in His early ministry, served in lowly inconspicuous ways, doing small tasks with great love, night and day, with a consecration that never flagged. He labored in the gospel ministry helping to build up the fort of men and women against destruction.” Stick with me. These words from the past can offer insight. We need to show great love and labor now to see that destruction of our environment and health is avoided. There is no doubt that taking measures to improve our environment and the condition of our air will improve the condition of those breathing it; mind, body, and spirit.
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to spirit.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
I’ll get to the point; we imagine an innovative and holistically designed community that sets higher and greener standards, for our city and beyond. This community can literally become a much-needed breath of fresh air for it’s people. (read about the severity of air pollution in Fort Worth here) With careful intentional design and development, the divine balance between nature and man can be restored, holding sacred spaces for both the traditional and modern aspects of civilization, and staying true to the values of Dr. Butlers humanitarianism: environmental consciousness, cultural diversity, personal growth and development (mind, body, and spirit), and self-sufficiency for both individuals and the community as a whole.
Finally, we propose these specific elements for the rebirth of Buter Place:
*Beautiful and dynamic, yet simply practical Green Buildings for mixed-income families. (Not only can green buildings lower the temperature of a city by 7 degrees, they are also cost-efficient and have loads of other remarkable benefits any city would be proud to tout. Read more about green buildings here. Or watch our favorite video on deep green design here.)
*Generous biodiverse community gardens, outdoor green spaces, walking trails, and a local farmers market. (imagine it here)
*Commercial properties, also green buildings, reserved for locally owned small businesses
*Community center for learning, healing, and playing, with offerings similar to our vision and #GOALS. (see our vision and #goals here)
*The need for more accessibility to public transportation and the possibility of building decking over railroad tracks has already been discussed. We present the need for green infrastructure, in the decking over railroads, highways, in, around, and on top of buildings so that a generous amount of tree’s and greenery can live there. Green infrastructure also helps prevent excessive damage from floods and other natural disasters.
We aren’t developers, architects or environmentalists, but we are members of the community that care a whole lot about the people in it. Past, present, and future.
What do you think? Do you have anything to add? Do you know a developer that can help us and FWHS’s make this dream a reality?
If you love Fort Worth and the people that live here please let Fort Worth Housing Solutions know; we want a healthier city! Imagine a beautiful, multi-dimensional consciously built educational and healing complex. “The Butler House” has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Being a cardinal educator and caring community leader, Henry Butler would undoubtedly be honored by this namesake. I think it would be awesome to bring back “Free Show Hill” too!
Sign the Petition here
The time is now for the public, for you, to speak out on this matter. Sign the petition, share your valued thoughts, opinions, and ideas, or simply share this page: http://www.thenightsun.org/butler-place/ You can also send letters or e-mails, make phone calls, attend public FWHS meetings, or reach out to your city councilmember at upcoming town hall.
Latest updates on Butler Place: 9/6/22, 9/8/22
Explore the links below to see what other cities are doing.
Unique Urban and Community Gardens to Inspire You and Future Generations
How to stay competitive & reduce your company’s carbon footprint
10 Of The World’s Coolest Apartment Buildings
10 Coolest Examples of “Green Buildings”
What Does It Mean To Be Green In An Apartment Building?
How Can Apartment Buildings be Sustainable?
5 Inspiring Urban Community Garden Projects for City-Dwellers
Greening the Metroplex: Top Ten Agriculture Projects in Dallas
The business case for green buildings