Coffee, Trails, and Trains: What Fort Worth Locals Want Around Future TEXRail Stops

When we think about a new train station, the first thing that usually comes to mind is getting from one place to another. But in Fort Worth, residents are also thinking about what could happen around the station.

At a recent community meeting, residents shared ideas for the planned Near Southside/Medical District Station, including trails, restaurants, coffee shops, retail, housing, and better connections to the surrounding neighborhood. One resident summed it up well: “There is so much potential for that station to be a flagship destination.”

The planned station will be part of a 2.1-mile TEXRail extension from downtown Fort Worth to the Near Southside. Groundbreaking is expected in late 2026, with the station expected to open around 2029. The location is close to Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center–Fort Worth, and officials say it could provide access to roughly 50,000 jobs in the area.

What we found especially interesting was how specific some of the residents' ideas were. One suggestion was to turn an abandoned railroad spur near Park Place Village into a trail. It’s a small example of how the area around the station could become more connected and walkable, rather than simply being a place people pass through.

Fort Worth is looking at similar possibilities further north around the North Side TEXRail Station on Decatur Avenue. The city is considering zoning changes for roughly 204 acres around the station that could allow more mixed-use residential and retail development. With the Stockyards less than a mile away, this area could eventually create stronger connections between transit, businesses, housing, and one of Fort Worth’s most recognizable destinations.

For our team, this is the fun part of local growth. A new train line is one thing, but seeing people think about the trails, businesses, restaurants, and neighborhood connections around it gives us a better idea of how Fort Worth could continue to evolve.

We're still years away from seeing the finished picture, but the planning happening now gives residents a chance to help shape what comes next.