The site of the city’s previous central library was sold to a developer last year.
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth City Council will consider approving funding for a new library downtown during its regular meeting on Tuesday evening.
According to the meeting agenda, council members will consider an ordinance to use nearly $6.5 million in funds from the sale of the previous downtown library to fund the construction of the new one.
The library sold its central location, at 500 W. 3rd St., in 2023.
Council members approved the sale of the previous Central Library site last year to Dart Interests for $18 million. However it’s still not clear what Dart Interests will be using that site for, be it residential, office or retail space.
The proposed permanent site, at 512 W. 4th St., is a historic building currently serving as the headquarters for the nonprofit Center for Transforming Lives, according to a news release. That nonprofit plans to move to a larger facility at the end of the year.
In an interview with WFAA, Council Member Elizabeth Beck said the return of a central library is one of the biggest issues her constituents said they wanted.
“The plan was always to have a replacement downtown library. It took us a little longer than we anticipated to get that done, but I think that the wait has been well worth it,” Beck said. “I’m excited to see what we’re able to bring back to the community in that space.”
Council members will meet to discuss this ordinance and other items at 6 p.m. Tuesday.