Fort Worth’s Panther Island gets more federal funding. Here’s where the money will be spent

The flood control portion Fort Worth’s Panther Island hit another milestone Tuesday after the project received an additional $20 million from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to finish the project’s design.

The money will go toward designs for the Samuels Avenue Dam, Marine Creek, a pedestrian bridge and restoration work at both Rockwood and Gateway Park, according to an Army Corps press release.

This brings the total amount the federal government has invested into the project to $443 million over the past three years.

The Army Corps’ announcement of additional funding is welcome news, said Fort Worth City council member Carlos Flores, whose district includes the future 338-acre island north of downtown.

The money will help the project continue to meet critical schedules, Flores said.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in an email to the Star-Telegram that the project is vital and transformational for the future of the city adding, “it is encouraging to see the continued progress to fund critical components as the design and construction process continues.”

The project will still need additional funding for construction of the 1.5 mile bypass channel that will connect two sections of the Trinity River north of downtown Fort Worth. The Army Corps needs about $68 million more, according to a project update from the end of 2023.

Construction on the bypass channel is scheduled to start in early 2025, according to the project update.

Congress approved $526 million in 2016, but disagreements with the Trump administration over the project’s feasibility held up funding. However, the November 2021 passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act enabled the Army Corps to allocate $403 million toward the project in January 2022.

Getting federal funding for the project three years in a row shows the federal government’s commitment to getting this flood control project done, said Dan Buhman, general manager of the Tarrant Regional Water District, in an email to the Star-Telegram.

He praised the Army Corps’ work on the project adding local government partners are working hand in hand to keep the project on track.

The city of Fort Worth is also moving forward with new zoning rules after receiving a consultant report in March, which made recommendations for how the island could be developed.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.