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Keller Roanoke Northeast Fort Worth Edition VOLUME 6, ISSUE 12 APRIL 30 MAY 29, 2025
Northeast Fort Worth area sees growth, economic boost from Texas Motor Speedway exposure Driving development 35W
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SKY EYESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Also in this issue
Government Learn about Keller’s new city manager Aaron Rector’s plans Page 8 Dining Check out the specialty cocktails this Roanoke lounge has to o er Page 20
Texas Motor Speedway broke ground in 1995 and the rst NASCAR event occurred in 1997, prompting local economic development. (Courtesy Hillwood)
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact
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KELLER ROANOKE NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
Impacts
Northeast Fort Worth
spirit and tasting events. • Opened in December • 1751 N. US 377, Roanoke • www.shotzliquorstoreroanoke.com
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3 Dave’s Hot Chicken The restaurant’s menu includes four options of chicken tenders, sliders or a combination of both. • Opened March 21 • 3240 Tracewood Way, Ste. 120, Fort Worth • www.daveshotchicken.com 4 Robert Graham The clothing retailer opened near Michael Kors at Tanger Outlets Fort Worth. • Opened March 15 • 15853 N. Freeway, Fort Worth • www.robertgraham.us 5 Alliance Hyundai The automobile dealer sells new and used gas and hybrid vehicles and also provides home delivery options. • Opened March 8 • 11001 N. Freeway, Fort Worth • www.alliancehyundai.net 6 Panda Express Known for its American-style Chinese dishes, the chain sells chow mein noodles, orange chicken and egg rolls. • Opened Jan. 7 • 3312 Alliance Gateway Freeway, Fort Worth • www.pandaexpress.com 7 Aces Indoor Golf Club Located indoors, the golf facility features seven high- definition golf simulators. • Opened Jan. 4 • 4000 Haslet-Roanoke Road, Ste. 30, Roanoke • acesindoorgolfclub.com 8 Mula Integrative Health & Wellness Utilizing natural, drug-free solutions, the clinic provides whole-health care, detoxification and rejuvenation. • Opened April 3
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• Opened March 27 • 13401 Crossing Way, Fort Worth • www.quicktrip.com
Now open
1 QuickTrip The gas station chain offers a variety of hot and cold food, such as sandwiches and pizza.
2 Shotz Liquor The liquor store offers premium spirits and hosts special
CANNABIS Wellness THC&CBD
MERALD E O
C RGANICS ANNABIS.COM
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
• 950 N. Main St., Ste. 204, Keller • www.health.mulaintegrative.com/home
• Park Vista Boulevard and Golden Triangle Boulevard, Fort Worth • www.crunch.com 12 Whataburger The burger chain’s menu consists of breakfast, burgers, chicken entrees and shakes. • Slated to open January 2026 • 3300 Alliance Gateway Freeway, Ste. 100, Fort Worth • www.whataburger.com
Now open
Coming soon
9 Sagewood of Heritage Glen Featuring assisted living and memory care options, the senior living facility will have several floor plans. • Slated to open fall 2025
• 4453 Heritage Glen Drive, Fort Worth • www.sagewoodatheritageglen.com
Closings
10 Texas Roadhouse The restaurant chain is known for its hand-cut steaks,
13 Schlotzsky’s Known for casual dining, the restaurant served sandwiches, pizzas, calzones and salads. • Closed in December
ribs and Texas-sized combos. • Slated to open summer 2025 • 13101 NW Highway 287, Fort Worth • www.texasroadhouse.com
15 sweetFrog sweetFrog offers a variety of premium frozen yogurts with flavors such as salted caramel popcorn, my little cupcake, blue cotton candy and mountain blackberry. Customers can finish off their frozen yogurt with toppings that include fresh fruit, nuts, cereal, candy pieces, sauces and whipped cream. • Opened March 27 • 101 Town Center Lane, Ste. 117, Keller • www.sweetfrog.com
• 1320 N. US 377, Roanoke • www.schlotzskys.com
What’s next
14 On the Border Specializing in Tex Mex dishes, On the Boarder served fajitas, enchiladas and nachos.
11 Crunch Fitness Center Along with strength and aerobic equipment, the fitness
• Closed in December • 890 SH 114, Roanoke • www.ontheborder.com
chain offers a variety of classes. • Slated to open February 2026
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KELLER - ROANOKE - NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY MARK FADDEN & CODY THORN
Fort Worth adds $7.2M to crime control budget The Fort Worth Crime Control and Prevention District budget got a boost of $7.2 million from recent action by the Fort Worth City Council. With the amendment passed March 4, the CCPD budget for scal year 2024-25 is now $148.7 million, according to city documents. What you need to know Of the $7.2 million, $6.1 million will go toward the capital fund and be used for renovations of the existing crime lab, funding of a crime lab study and purchase of land for future patrol divisions. The other $1.1 million will be put in the initiatives fund and be used for training and recruiting and outsourcing backlogged sexual assault kits. What else? The outsourcing of sexual assault kits will allow the city to comply with Texas House Bill 8, which
Construction slated for new water facility Fort Worth is using $125 million from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas to expand the Eagle Mountain Water Treatment Plant, a ecting the Fort Worth drinking water supply. What’s happening? A state ling with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shows construc- tion of a $235 million facility will start June 1. The 61,178-square-foot expansion should be completed by 2029. The plant is located at 6801 Bowman Roberts Road.
Breakdown of $7.2M for Fort Worth’s crime control and prevention budget
$5.5 million for renovations for crime lab $840,764 for recruiting and training $500,000 for the far north patrol sector $250,000 for outsourcing sexual assault kits $99,000 for crime lab updates with forensic analysis, consulting and training
SOURCE: CITY OF FORT WORTH
enforces new time limits by the state for law enforcement agencies and labs to transport and test rape kits. Current funding will be exhausted to eliminate the backlog, though there will not be resources for new kits, city documents state. In 2024, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes announced a backlog of more than 900 unpro- cessed sexual assault kits, per previous reporting.
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Keller o cials start dredging Bourland Road pond Dredging work of Bourland pond, located on the northwest corner of the Keller Parkway and Bourland Road intersection, should be done by the end of May but could be extended to six months. Work was moved up to avoid interference drainage system, the post states. The details
The project could take two phases. Phase 1 includes the dredging and dewatering process, which lasts up to 90 days. Phase 2 might be needed depending on the pond’s constraints, according to the post. The project was approved for $700,000, city o cials said.
with the opening of the Te’jun the Texas Cajun restaurant this summer, according to a post from the city of Keller’s Facebook page. Dredging the pond helps ensure the integrity of the city’s public
The dredging of Bourland Pond started March 17 and could become a two-phase process lasting six months.
CODY THORN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KELLER ROANOKE NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
Government
BY JACOB VAUGHN
Get to know Keller’s new city manager Aaron Rector
The Keller City Council approved the appoint- ment of Aaron Rector as its city manager in December. He was hired as the city’s nancial director in 2016 and was promoted to director of administrative services two years later. Since then, Rector has managed the city’s more than $100 million annual budget and helped implement Keller’s self insurance program, where the city takes on the cost of bene t claims rather than relying on traditional insurance companies. He also introduced several programs to streamline services, trim expenses and enhance customer service, according to the city’s website. Now Rector has several priorities for Keller as city manager, including balancing development with the community’s small-town feel. What brought you to Keller in the rst place, and what excites you about the city? I grew up in the metroplex and wanted to move closer to family while nding an opportunity that would allow for career growth. Keller has always had a strong reputation, and I’m excited to be part of a city that balances progress with commu- nity values. As we approach buildout, I’m looking forward to focusing on strategic projects like the Keller Sports Park and Old Town. What are your top priorities as you begin your new role? My rst priority is continuing to learn the city manager role and ensuring that Keller continues to thrive as we approach full buildout. A big focus in the years ahead will be on long-term sustain- ability—ensuring we have the right plans in place for infrastructure, public safety and economic development. I also want to keep key projects and our economic development strategic plan moving forward in a way that ts Keller’s charac- ter and future needs. I want to continue city redevelopment and ensure our future growth continues to re ect the expectations of our residents. We’re looking at ways to encourage investment in areas like Old Town and along Highway 377, such as our facade and life safety grants, to foster improvements rather than waiting for change. Another priority is nancial sustainability—making sure we plan ahead for revenues that will eventually level o while keeping our budget and services stable. How do you plan to balance development with preserving Keller’s small-town feel? The key is ensuring that any new development aligns with our community’s expectations and
complements our existing neighborhoods and businesses. We have engaged residents who make their voices heard, and we’ll continue to listen to their input as we consider future projects. That said, we’re keeping an eye on state legislation that could reduce local control over development and density issues; some of the proposed bills this session could signi cantly impact the charac- ter of our community. What types of businesses or industries do you think Keller should focus on attracting? Our residents consistently ask for more restau- rants and family-friendly entertainment options, so those are key areas of focus in our recruitment e orts. We also see an opportunity to make Old Town more than just a dining destination by fostering an entertainment district. Big-box retail seems to be fading, so we may also want to consider positioning Keller as a hub for indus- tries like medical services or smaller business campuses. What steps will you and sta take to manage tra c and infrastructure demands as Keller grows? Keller prioritizes street maintenance more than most cities of our size and our ve-year Capital Improvement Plan ensures we’re keeping up with infrastructure needs while maintaining the small-town feel. Rather than signi cant expansions, I anticipate our focus will remain on maintaining existing roads, improving tra c ow where possible and minimizing tra c impacts in residential areas. Are there any projects or initiatives that you’re particularly excited about? I’m excited about the continued revitalization of Old Town, the Keller Sports Park expansion and our public-private partnership on the City Sports campus. Elm Street, in particular, will be a signi cant project that enhances that area and sets the tone for future redevelopment of the side streets in eastern Old Town. What has surprised you most about your new role? I’ve always known that Keller residents were engaged, but stepping into this role has given me an even greater appreciation for how vocal and passionate they are. I never had many phone calls while running the nance department, but this position means tackling a wide variety of issues and hearing from more people. The feedback helps guide our decisions and keeps us focused on what’s best for the community.
COURTESY OF CITY OF KELLER
Aaron Rector was named the city manager in December 2024 after serving in an interim role for nearly a year.
DON MUNSCH COMMUNITY IMPACT
2016 Joined city of Keller as nance director
2018 Promoted to director of administrative services
January 2024 Selected as Keller’s interim city manager
December 2024 Appointed as Keller city manager
SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
What else should residents know about you? I live in Keller with a wonderful wife, two young kids and a dog. I love spending time outdoors [and] cheering on my kids in gymnastics and baseball. We are proud Texas Aggies and big Dallas Stars fans.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY MARK FADDEN
KISD eyes school closures for 2025-26 school year Keller ISD Interim Superintendent Cory Wilson said during the March 31 school board meeting that as enrollment continues to decline and school fund- ing remains an issue, potentially closing schools and “budgeting effectively” will be key items for the 2025-26 school year. The details Wilson said the district currently has 31,700 Keller ISD student enrollment 2018-19 34,999
NISD considers cutting 75 positions Northwest ISD Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Pastusek told board members at their regular April 7 meeting that 75 staff positions could be eliminated to reduce the district’s $16 million deficit. What’s happening? Sixty positions are for secondary teachers and 15 positions are extracurricular positions. While the district isn’t considering staffing reductions at the elementary level, Pastusek said there will be proposed changes to elementary school classroom ratios. As of March 31, Pastusek and his staff whittled down the deficit to under $1 million by cutting $11.7 million in payroll costs and $3.4 million in nonpayroll deductions. He said budget workshops are planned for May 5 and June 9.
2020-21 34,279 2019-20 35,167 2021-22 34,813 2022-23 34,078 2023-24 33,195 2024-25 31,700
-9.43%
students enrolled, which is down 3,400 students from the peak enrollment in 2019-20. The decline has led to an underuse of district schools. Wilson said KISD will also prepare for a bond election in the next few months to address infra- structure and maintenance and operations needs. What’s next? By using bond funds to offset some of the dis- trict’s operating costs, Wilson said it should help rebuild a fund balance and potentially increase teacher compensation.
SOURCE: KELLER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
He added that these two initiatives will need the assistance of stakeholders across the district and district officials’ plan to be transparent. “We intend to fully engage the community and provide opportunities for input and conversation before making any moves,” Wilson said.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Transportation
BY MARK FADDEN
Construction started March 24 on the city of Keller’s Elm Street project, which will take three years to complete, according to an update from the city. In a nutshell According to the city o cials, the project includes improvements for both vehicular and pedestrian tra c, such as: • Widening and reconstructing the road • Improving utilities and drainage • Adding parking, sidewalks, seating, landscaping, lighting and way nding signage The project is being completed in multiple Keller Elm Street project begins, could take 3 years
phases, which is why the timeline is extended. A closer look At their June 4 meeting, Tarrant County commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Keller to provide the city an additional $1.84 million to help complete the Elm Street project. This adds to the $5.75 million voters previously approved the county to contribute as part of the 2021 bond package, totaling the county’s contri- bution to $7.59 million of the $21.9 million project, according to previous reporting. The Elm Street project is the second phase of a plan to improve Old Town Keller. Community Impact previously reported in October 2024 that the rst phase of the project was completed. The construction coincides with the city’s preparation for the population to hit 50,000 people in the next ve years, which would add additional city costs for maintaining the roadways.
A rendering shows what the updated Elm Street will look like. The project is expected to be nished in three years.
COURTESY CITY OF KELLER
K ELLER PKWY.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE PKWY.
BEAR CREEK PKWY.
To see what city changes will occur when Keller's population reaches 50,000, turn to Page 16 .
Keller
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KELLER ROANOKE NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
Transportation
BY MARK FADDEN & CODY THORN
Intermittent lane closures continue as Keller works on markings Several roads in Keller are experiencing lane clo- sures due to road work that includes lane markings, according to an April 2 city update. What’s happening? Updated markings include lane striping, cross- walks, directional arrows, raised dome markings and high-visibility thermoplastics. The grinding work takes place during working hours while new paint is applied overnight. The cost is $630,000 and is from Keller’s general fund, city documents state. What’s next? Weather permitting, Keller o cials anticipate the project to nish mid to late May. The project is split into two groups with the rst locations nearly nished.
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North Beach Street gets extra funding Fort Worth approved a $156,000 amend- ment March 11 for stormwater improve- ments on North Beach Street. Put in perspective The $5.4 million project includes $2.19 million from Hillwood, $3.21 million from the city, plus transportation impact fees. The North Beach Street contract was approved Dec. 14, 2021, to construct four lanes from SH 170 to Saratoga Downs Way.
FAWKES LANE
MT. GILEAD RD.
OTTINGER RD.
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KELLER PKWY.
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Fort Worth City Council approves 3 road closures Three road closure projects in northeast Fort Worth were approved by City Council March 11. The overview
OLD DENTON RD.
Ray White Road near the roundabout on Park Vista Boulevard will be closed from May 27 to Aug. 8. Both projects are part of the $22 million project to widen Ray White Road, the city’s website states. The closure of Old Denton Road o of Westport Parkway was extended to June 30 due to redesign and schedule changes. The $3.1 million project is being funded by the road developer.
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A temporary closure on Mirage Drive between Ray White Road and Bowman Drive is from April 1 to July 25. The city will work on a storm drain, roadway reconstruction and new roundabout improvements, according to city documents.
PARK VISTA BLVD.
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Development
BY MARK FADDEN & CODY THORN
Keller residents want more restaurants Keller city o cials said they received nearly 1,000 responses to the 2025 restau- rant and retail survey. The results showed consumer behavior and the restaurants Keller residents want to see in the area. Next steps The economic development sta said they will use the results to evaluate and recruit businesses that could be a good t for Keller.
A rendering shows a part of an apartment complex that is planned to be constructed in north Fort Worth by LIV Development.
RENDING COURTESY CITY OF FORT WORTH
Fort Worth council approves mixed-use housing development More housing will be coming near Texas Motor Speedway. The Fort Worth City Council approved a planned cottage community on 17.23 acres on Champion- ship Parkway during the April 8 meeting.
COLLECTION BLVD.
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How often Keller residents eat out
The details LIV Development requested a zoning change from planned development to multifamily housing for the area. The plan calls for a 238-unit apartment complex and 55 build-for-rent houses that will be two or three bedrooms.
2-3 times
1 time a week
1-3 times a month
4 or more
Never
SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KELLER ROANOKE NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
Development
Keller o cials detail plans for The Summit at Center Stage development
Completed
KELLER HASLET RD.
RIDGE POINT PKWY.
In development B1-C1: The Lyric at Center Stage B2-C2: Commercial storefronts A1: The Summit at Center Stage A2, B3, D: TBD commercial buildings Construction TBD
D
C2
a 4-3 vote in January 2020 as part of the original planned development. Because the site plan already complied with the Center Stage planned mixed-use development zoning standards in 2020, the current council had to approve the updated site plans to move forward, Keller Community Development Director Sarah Hensley said. She added since the Center Stage’s standard development document gives very speci c instructions and guidelines on how the di erent phases of the development should be approved, each change or phase of the project needs to be thoroughly reviewed by city sta . Once the review is complete, the updated plans or new phase is brought before Keller City Council.
Keller City Council approved plans for a 42-lot subdivision called The Summit at Center Stage in the existing Center Stage mixed-use planned development during its March 4 meeting. Keller City o cials told Community Impact April 9 that although the project was passed ve years ago, the development needed a nal stamp of approval from council since the original planned development standards require City Council approval of the detailed site plan for each phase of the project. The Summit will be on an 8.08-acre property about 425 feet east of the North Main Street and Mt. Gilead Road intersection. Keller o cials unanimously approved the renewed detailed site plan for the subdivision, though the plan to build the neighborhood was passed by City Council in
C1
Detention
377
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B1
B3
Keller
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SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY GABBY BAILEY & JACOB VAUGHN
What’s happening?
What’s Next
The site plan is for 42 single-family lots, related streets, alleyways and open space in the develop- ment. A planned development amendment was approved by City Council in 2023 that reduced the number of lots from 57, Hensley said. ”Everything they’ve been approved for is just the infrastructure,” Hensley said, adding that building and draining permits have not been approved yet. The rst phase of Center Stage already was completed and features The Lyric, an apartment complex, which was nished in July 2023. The development also has storefronts like Hungry Howie's, Rumble Boxing and Lone Star Cafe. The 60,000 square feet of commercial real estate is considered an approximate since there are still multiple buildings that don’t have detailed site plans yet, said Rachel Reynolds, Keller’s communi- cation and public engagement manager. Reynolds added Phase 1 of the development is the city’s second-largest property taxpayer.
A preconstruction meeting for The Summit at Center Stage was held April 10 and the contractor was given o cial notice by the city to proceed with construction. A timeline and start date were not given. The Summit is the nal residential piece of Center Stage. There are six additional commercial buildings approved as part of the development, including three sit-down restaurants, Hensley said. The changing retail landscape and rising labor and material costs contributed to delays relating to that phase of the project, Hensley added. The construction of Center Stage also prompted the city’s plans to widen Mt. Gilead Road. “The goal is that in the fall we would [bid] that project out,” Hensley said.
Center Stage project buildout
475 apartments
42 single-family homes
60,000 square feet of commercial space
Community lawn/ music stage area
15% Minimum open green space
Parking partnership with Milestone Church
Hike and bike trail system connected to city system
SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
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KELLER ROANOKE NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
News
Events
BY JACOB VAUGHN
BY HEATHER MCCULLOUGH
Keller city officials prepare for population to reach 50,000
• Fort Worth Public Library - Golden Triangle, 4264 Golden Triangle Blvd., Fort Worth • www.tinyurl.com/mrkee23s
May
Mother’s Day Market Shop unique gifts, fashion items and home decor with local vendors while enjoying live music, drinks and food at event space 139 Olive.
Spring Festival Fun Enjoy vendors, food, gift bags, face painting and games of bean bag toss outside Keller Town Hall. • May 10, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, Keller • www.tinyurl.com/57ct8dpz Family Campout The night will include a scavenger hunt, a night hike and s’mores. Campers can enjoy donuts, juice and coffee Sunday morning. Participants must register by May 14. • May 17, 3 p.m.-May 18, 10 a.m. • $5 • 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, Keller • www.tinyurl.com/mus38u4s Roanoke’s Evenings on Oak Street Enjoy food on Oak Street before heading to Austin Street Plaza for live music from Wanda King Big Band. • May 22, 6:30-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • 150 Austin St., Roanoke • www.roanoketexas.com/114/Evenings-on-Oak-Street
Keller’s population currently sits above 46,000, according to the most recent U.S. Census. Over the last decade, the city has grown by an average of 500 residents a year. What happens? Once Keller’s population reaches 50,000 residents, certain state and federal regulations are triggered, Keller City Manager Aaron Rector said. Keller roads managed by the Texas Department of Transportation would be put under the city’s purview. This would add additional intersections and lane miles, which measure road infrastructure from the length and number of lanes of a road, to what Keller currently manages and could cost the city $1 million a year, Rector said. There are also certain library accreditation requirements that have to be met once a city reaches 50,000 people, though Rector said Keller already meets most of those metrics. One adjustment is that the city library is open
City responsibility
Under 50K residents 13 intersections, 47.7 lane miles
Over 50K residents 16 intersections, 54 lane miles 5 additional boards to be broadcasted 48 hours per week N/A
Additional cost
• May 1, 6-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 139 Olive St., Keller • www.tinyurl.com/muyc3nhh
TxDOT maintenance
$1M per year
About $13.5K for part-time staff per year
Library accreditation
42 hours per week
WISE Women Vendor Event Women In Successful Entrepreneurship will host a vendor event to raise money for a scholarship supporting Northwest ISD high school senior girls. • May 3, noon-5 p.m. • $50 registration fee for vendors • Soul Fire Brewing, 206 N. Oak St., Roanoke • www.wisewomendfw.com/vendor
Meeting recordings
4 boards broadcasted
About $9K per year
Software update
$19.3K per year
N/A
Roanoke Roundup This charity event supports Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas and Speedway Children’s Charities. There will be steak cook offs, barbecue tastings, live music and unique food along Oak Street. • May 3, noon-9 p.m. • Free (admission) • 500 S. Oak St., Roanoke • www.roanoketexas.com/339/Roanoke-Roundup
at least 48 hours a week and Keller officials would have to record all public meetings. Reaching 50,000 would also allow the city to apply for grants more directly, Rector said. What’s next? The next U.S. Census is in 2030 and will deter- mine if the city’s population exceeds 50,000. At this point, Rector said the current trends show Keller will be right at that number by 2030.
Keller population
47.48K
50K
42.89K
Explore Music with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
45K
A member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will showcase musical arrangements, an instrument show and tell, a musical story and an instrument petting zoo. • May 8, 10:30-11:15 a.m. • Free (admission)
+10.69%
40K
0
SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER/COMMUNITY IMPACT
KELLER 101 Keller Smithfield Rd S (817) 482-8295
WESTLAKE 2341 Highway 377 (817) 490-9072
CITADEL 9564 Citadel Way Dr (817) 200-3080
Driving development From the cover
The backstory
The details
TMS tidbits
1.5K acres Size of Texas Motor Speedway
27K acres AllianceTexas Development
In 1994, Bruton Smith announced plans to bring a track to Texas and landed on a 1,500-acre tract of land in the Alliance area of Fort Worth. According to the TMS media guide, Smith received heavy interest from Fort Worth and Denton County to bring a track to that area over two other sites in consideration. Hillwood, a development company started by H. Ross Perot, owned the land that Smith picked to bring a track. The city of Fort Worth passed a tax increment nancing district, a public nancing method used by cities and municipalities to fund economic development projects, in 1995. According to the city website, the TIF tax has a 40-year expiration date and helped pay for structural improvements and infrastructure within the reinvestment zone. The scal year 2024-25 TIF balance is $5.03 million, according to city documents. Fort Worth and Denton County were part of the original TIF, and Northwest ISD joined in 1999,
Once a piece of farmland at the northeast corner of I-35W and SH 114, Texas Motor Speedway celebrated its 30th anniversary of breaking ground April 11. The track has a crowd capacity of more than 200,000 people, making it one of the largest sports venues in the United States, and delivers around $300 million a year to the North Texas economy, according to the track website. Mark Faber, executive vice president and general manager of TMS, said nearly 300 events were held outdoors and indoors at the Fort Worth track in 2024. The $300 million economic impact comes from taxes visitors and locals pay, including: • A 6.25% sales and use tax • A 6% state hotel tax • Motor vehicle rental tax, which is 10% for irst the 30 days • A 6.7% mixed beverage tax In addition, local cities can add taxes on the state’s number. Fort Worth residents passed a ballot issue in 2024 that raised the hotel occupancy tax to the max of 17%—6% to the state and 11% to the city. Roanoke hotels add 7% in addition to the state’s 6%. “We are an economic engine with tourism,” Faber said. “Our race weekend is coming up, and we call it our Super Bowl.” NASCAR will host three events at the track between May 2-4, concluding with the Cup Series race, the Wurth 400. A city of Fort Worth study in 2009 revealed the race track generated $2 billion in economic impact over the rst 12 years.
4 AT&T Stadiums the venue where the Dallas Cowboys play, can t inside the speedway 14 countries with ticket sales for the only 2024 NASCAR Cup Series race 275 events held annually at Texas Motor Speedway
SOURCE: TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY COMMUNITY IMPACT
according to the city’s website. Construction started on TMS the summer of 1994; o ce space and The Lone Star Tower Con- dominium Clubhouse followed, according to the TMS website. Through the years, TMS had added an in eld road course, a dirt track and Lil’ Texas Motor Speedway to provide racing year-round.
A closer look
Roanoke
Fort Worth
The city of Roanoke charges a 13% tax occupancy for visitors to hotels. The city of Fort Worth has a 17% charge on hotel stays. Those taxes generate money for each city's budget.
$177.36K
$1.59M
$200K $150K $100K
$2M
COVID-19
COVID-19
$1.5M
$1M
+51.16%
+102.13%
$50K
$0.5M
$0
$0
SOURCES: CITIES OF ROANOKE, FORT WORTH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Advertise in the Health & Wellness Edition
ILTexas.org | Free Public Charter
ADS@COMMUNITYIMPACT. COM PRINT + DIGITAL PACKAGES | DIRECT MAIL
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY CODY THORN
What they’re saying
How we got here
Faber remembers coming to the rst race at TMS in 1997. There wasn’t much to do before or after the race, he said, recalling people parking in Roanoke and walking nearly 5 miles to the venue. “With development nowadays, especially with new stadiums, it’s mixed-use,” he said. “When [Smith] built this, you had to think about if they’d come.” Now the facility has an impact beyond NASCAR and hosts auctions, barbecue contests, truck shows, David Starr’s Racing School, dirt track racing and celebrity clay shooting, according to the speedway’s website. ”Visitors spending contributes to jobs and tax revenues in the region, enhancing Roanoke’s devel- opment and fostering community engagement,” Roanoke Mayor Scooter Gierisch said.
Many TMS guests visit local spots before and after events— 20.8% go to Buc-ee’s exiting the venue.
34.7% Home 12.4% Buc-ee's
32.3% Home 20.8% Buc-ee's
3% Champions Center
3.9% Champions Center
Texas Motor Speedway
2.1% Work
1.3% DFW Marriott Hotel
2.1% DFW Marriott Hotel
1.3% Texas Roadhouse
SOURCE: PLACERAI COMMUNITY IMPACT
“People always make me feel at home here. It’s the only place my family and friends can actually drive from Mexico.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NASCAR CUP SERIES DRIVER
New Renovation
The impact
Fort Worth
Buc-ee’s opened in 2016, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and Tanger Outlet Mall opened in 2017 across from TMS, the company website states. Buc- ee’s is expanding while stores are being built nearby, according to previous reporting. “A lot of things happened that’s been part of our master plan, but a lot of things like Texas Motor Speedway that we would’ve never envisioned in the early days has added to the whole array of o erings and has a lot to do with the growth,” Hillwood president Mike Berry said.
Hutchins BBQ
35W
Einstein Brothers Bagels
TMS
Chick- l-a
Kurogi Ramen and Sushi
Northlake
“[TMS] attracts millions of visitors annually, boosting local tourism and generating substantial economic impact.” SCOOTER GIERISCH, ROANOKE MAYOR
114
Dallas Stars Multisport Center
CHAMPIONSHIP PKWY.
Miniso
Buc-ee’s
Roanoke
N
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KELLER ROANOKE NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
Dining
BY MARK FADDEN
The Rô Burger is made from Wagyu beef and served with tru e and Parmesan fries.
The Smoke on the Water is named after the famed Deep Purple song. It is a tequila-based cocktail that is smoked table-side.
PHOTOS BY MARK FADDEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Bartender Chandler White mixes drinks behind the bar.
The Rô on Oak elevates cocktails in Roanoke Before even entering The Rô on Oak, patrons get the VIP treatment with gold stanchions and a red carpet. Upon entering, guests will be immersed in a curated experience engaging all their senses. In a nutshell
night? Miller said artists like The Notorious B.I.G. keep the energy up long into the evening. The drink list Cocktails are named after popular songs and song lyrics that have stood the test of time. Smoke on the Water combines tequila, mezcal, curacao and maraschino with coconut and lime. Start Me Up is the lounge’s take on an espresso martini. Classic cocktails ll out the drink menu. Miller said patrons can also come in and discuss what they’d like to drink with the bartenders and they’ll make a drink based on their avor pro le. “We have great bartenders that give our patrons what they’re feeling,” Miller said. “That’s how it should be.” The menu While many come to a lounge to unwind with a drink, Miller and his sta have also curated the food menu to be perfect pairings. Popular items include atbreads and the Wagyu meatballs. He also said people are surprised with how good the Rô Burger is, which is made from Wagyu beef and served with tru e fries. Happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. every day and includes half-price drinks and food.
The lounge is the brainchild of co-founders— and friends for 40 years— Gabriel Miller and Jonathan Condos. The place is draped in cool, from cozy nooks to the upscale bar where bartenders craft cocktails with names honoring music. There’s just one catch: don’t call it a speakeasy. “The speakeasy has been done to death,” Miller said. “Speakeasies are supposed to be quiet and hidden. We want you to know where [The Rô on Oak] is.” The details Miller said he and Condos had a goal in mind when designing the decor: a beautiful New York bar that meets a Hollywood Hills home where Led Zeppelin is playing. Music, it turns out, is the secret sauce to the lounge. For happy hour, the playlist might include tracks such as low-key rap combined with house music. As the night develops, so does the music. Another playlist combines old-school country—think Willie Nelson—with classic rock from Aerosmith. For late
The Rô on Oak has several seating areas for guests, such as comfortable couches, private alcoves or the open bar.
377
N
320 S. Oak St., Ste. 120, Roanoke www.theroonoak.com
20
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
JUST FORE! YOU
A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT APRIL 2025
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
WEEKENDER: A Big Time in Big Spring CRITTER: Gray Fox MADE IN TEXAS: A Recipe for Stunning Ceramics OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas FEATURE PREVIEW: The Texas Monthly Profile of Scottie Scheffler
Above: Hotel Settles, in Big Spring.
21
KELLER - ROANOKE - NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
CRITTER
Gray Fox
HOW CAN I IDENTIFY ONE? Look for a black stripe, typically run- ning down the length of the animal’s back. Gray foxes also have a “bright orange patch on the side of their face and neck,” says Amanda Veals Dutt, a postdoctoral scientist at Sul Ross State University. That distinguishes the species from the slightly larger, non-native red fox (which settlers near Waco introduced for hunting in the 1890s) and two smaller species: the swift fox, found in the Panhandle, and the kit fox, which roams West Texas. WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT? It can thrive in a range of habitats, in part because it’ll eat almost anything —mice, small birds, insects—and it seems to enjoy living close to humans. Attacks on us (or dogs or cats) are rare, but rabbits and guinea pigs might make a tasty snack. And if you keep chickens? “They’re basically ice-cream cones running around,” says John Tomeček, a carnivore ecologist at Texas A&M University. ANY URBAN FOX TALES? In October 2021, in front of at least one hundred onlookers at the San Antonio River Walk, firefighters rescued a baby gray fox stranded on a window ledge about 25 feet o¥ the ground. More re- cently, Bethany Snowden, a lieutenant with the city’s animal care services department, sent colleagues to scoop up a fox that had wandered into a court- house. “We enjoy saving urban wildlife,” she says, adding that both foxes were transferred to Wildlife Rescue and Re- habilitation, a local sanctuary. —Rose Cahalan
WEEKENDER
A “Big” Secret in West Texas With a grand hotel and a rich history that includes oil, rail, and Midnight Cowboy , this Permian Basin town holds some surprises. BY COURTNEY BOND
a diner-style room complete with red vinyl– topped chrome stools. At the south end of town, the four-hundred- acre Comanche Trail Park is home to Big Spring’s big spring. Well, what’s left of it. The railroad, the ranches, and all the other busi- nesses of civilization long ago drained the water table, but ocials utilize what they call artificial outflow, making for a nice waterfall that spills into a reservoir. Continue your educational journey during lunch at Local’s, a onetime school building down the street from the park. After lunch, fill up on the town’s more modern history at the Heritage Museum of Big Spring. For supper, pop in at J Jayz Bar and Grill (across from the Train Car) for colorful cock- tails and the kind of food—burgers, quesadillas —needed to soak them up. Or head back to home base and enjoy a whiskey sour and chicken-fried steak from Settles Grill. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .
FRIDAY: If you did nothing else but spend a night at Hotel Settles, your visit would be worthwhile. A dust-colored brick building rising fifteen stories, its glowing red rooftop sign visible for miles, the crown jewel of Big Spring exemplifies the word “landmark.” Catty-corner to the hotel, across Runnels Street, is what appears to be downtown’s most popular restaurant, Devour. Inside a narrow space, patrons pair giant margaritas with hearty American fare that includes burgers, pork chops, and bacon-wrapped quail with green onions and hot honey. After dinner, make tracks two blocks north and one street over to the Train Car Cigar Bar. SATURDAY: The sign outside still says Dell’s Café, but this spare restaurant with the odd name of Neutral Ways serves fat egg-filled tacos and classic American breakfast plates in
The entrance to Comanche Trail Park.
22
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
MADE IN TEXAS
From Wheel to Table Restaurants around the country are turning to this Dallas ceramist for artful dinnerware.
BY AMANDA ALBEE
OUT THERE
was born. He attended St. Mark’s School of Texas, where he fell in love with his ceramics classes. At Southern Methodist University, he fulfilled an elective requirement with a ce- ramics course, in which he learned how to use awood-firedkiln,adays-longprocessthatem- ploys ashes to create one-of-a-kind textures and colors. Ortega turned his hobby into a side business while working in the corporate world. In 2018, when he received an order for more than nine hundred pieces to stock Beverley’s Bistro & Bar, on Fitzhugh Avenue, Marcello Andres Ceramics became a full-time enterprise. Ortega opened his current location, which also serves as an event space, two years later. Ortegafulfillsordersforrestaurantsaround the state and beyond: Tatemó, an intimate Mexican tasting menu spot, in Houston; Texas- centric Isidore, in San Antonio’s new Pull- man Market; and Juniper, an Italian bistro in East Austin. Ortega sees his art as having “a conversation with clay.” Fortunately for us, there are lingering —and beautiful—questions to answer.
YOU WON’T FIND “Do Not Touch” signs in Marcello Andres Ortega’s studio and retail space, housed in a Quonset hut just south of downtown Dallas. The ceramics artist encour- ages visitors to the showroom to feel and hold his plates, bowls, and copitas—small cups used for drinking mezcal, sherry, and other spirits. Formed out of Texas clay and natural minerals and fused in fire in one of the workshop’s five kilns, the appeal of the dinnerware extends be- yond the tactile. The primary palette of creams, taupes, and dark grays invites you to appreciate whatsitsatopeachdish:forexample,anorderof avocado toast’s shock of green against the neu- tral canvas of a plate. “The food is the art,” says Ortega of the earth tones he prefers for dishes. Ortega traces his love of dinnerware to the nightly sit-down family meals of his childhood, a ritual important to his Chilean- born parents, who moved to Dallas before he
Meanwhile, In Texas At a feedlot in Carrizo Springs, a man witnessed a group of cattle pin a coyote against a fence before it es- caped unharmed. An American Airlines flight was evac- uated and delayed for nearly five hours at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after a passenger alerted cabin crew to a Wi-Fi hot spot titled “there is a bomb on the flight.” Upon discovering an unconventional hunting blind made from a portable toilet, Henderson County game wardens used a hidden camera to catch a man who was using it to hunt deer on private property without the owner’s consent. More than one hundred canisters of nitrous oxide were discovered in the car of a Houston dentist who had sped through town, ignored commands to pull over, led police on a brief chase, and, finally, stopped and allegedly ad- mitted to inhaling the laughing gas as he was driving. Port Arthur authorities announced that a man is under investigation for child endangerment after he posted a video on social media in which he used a baby dressed in winter clothing to wipe snow o his car’s windshield. A man in Travis County told police he “won’t press charges” and just wants his dog back after he was approached near his home by a man who shot him in the foot, grabbed his French bulldog, and fled in a car. —Meher Yeda
Marcello Andres Ortega throwing a sculpture in his studio on February 4, 2025.
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KELLER - ROANOKE - NORTHEAST FORT WORTH EDITION
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