HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 0706INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 23-0706
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 16, 2023
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SUBJECT: RENAMING THE TRAINING ROOM AT THE HAZEL HARVEY
1875 PEACE CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AFTER LUCILLE
BISHOP SMITH AND ERECTING A TRIBUTE WALL
The process of zoning approvals for the Evans and Rosedale redevelopment project uncovered
several historical conditions requiring the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) to honor
Lucille Bishop Smith -- a local chef, entrepreneur, restauranteur, and community leader -- by
renaming a training room at the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods. The HFC purchased
property, including 924 Evans Avenue ("the Property"), on September 1, 2016, for future Evans and
Rosedale development. The Property contained a historic and cultural landmark overlay that was
established by ordinance in October 1997.
On June 21, 2003, the City's Historic and Cultural Landmark Commission (HCLC) set forth a condition
on the Property, as part of the City's request for building demolition, to honor Ms. Smith with a
historical marker in Evans Plaza and to name a community kitchen facility at the proposed Public
Health Department Building, proposed at 818 Missouri Avenue, after Lucille Bishop Smith. The Public
Health Department Building was not built and, instead, the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for
Neighborhoods was built by the City at 818 Missouri Avenue. In accordance with the conditions
established by HCLC, a historical marker was placed in Evans Plaza to honor Lucille Bishop Smith
and is maintained today.
On October 11, 2021, the HFC requested the HCLC to consider removing the Historic and Cultural
Landmark ("HC") designation from the Property for the purposes of redeveloping the lot for a future
Evans and Rosedale redevelopment. As a condition of the removal of the historic landmark
designation, the HCLC required the HFC to fulfill the obligations of the original historic district. In
particular, the HCLC required the HFC to name a food safety training facility or a commercial kitchen
after Lucille Bishop Smith.
After discussing the requirement with the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society
(TCBHGS), local historians, and the City's Code Compliance Department, staff determined that the
second -floor training room at Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods met the criteria as a
food service training facility and is recommended for designation in honor of Lucille Bishop Smith.
Additionally, a tribute wall will be placed on the exterior of the training room and funded with budgeted
HFC funds.
The HFC hired Pytchblack to design, fabricate, and install a suitable tribute wall display and the
signage to be placed over the doors of the training facility. This work was conducted with input from
the Diversity and Inclusion Department, the Property Management Department, and City staff serving
the HCLC. City staff also consulted with the TCBHGS, Ms. Smith's grandson, Chef Chris Williams of
Houston, and Councilmember Chris Nettles. Staff and attorneys also consulted the City's policy on
the naming of buildings and determined that interior room naming does not require City Council
approval through resolution or ordinance, but an Informal Report provides appropriate notification. A
reception honoring Lucille Bishop Smith and unveiling of the commemorative wall will take place this
summer.
Please contact Neighborhood Services Director Victor Turner at xt.8187 for additional information.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS