Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association

On April 5th 2005 City Council unanimously voted to designate Wedgwood Square N.A. a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone. This means tremendous things for our neighborhood. We will do our best to keep you informed as the process moves forward and hope to see you at an upcoming Neighborhood Meeting. Thank you to all the persons who were instrumental in making this happen.

The neighborhood Empowerment Zone or the NEZ Program is available for all NEZs designated by the City Council. The criteria the City Council uses to designate a NEZ are:
* The proposed NEZ must promote creation or rehabilitation of affordable housing; increase in economic development; or increase in the quality of social services, education, or public safety provided to residents in the zone.
* At least 50% of the NEZ is located in CDBG-eligible areas or the "Central City".
* Bounded by clearly defined boundaries (streets, railroads, creeks or other logical boundaries).
* No more than 6,000 people at the time of designation. If more than 6,000 people, the geographic area cannot be larger than 1.5 square miles.
* Meeting criteria for Reinvestment Zone.
* If a proposed NEZ boundary includes an urban village as defined in the 2002 Comprehensive Plan, a logical, defensible area of the urban village as determined by the City of Fort Worth must be zoned mixed-use. Eligible mixed-use zoning classifications include: "MU-1" Low Intensity Mixed-Use District, "MU-2" High Intensity Mixed-Use District, and a compatible "PD" Planned Development District as defined in the City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.

Priority will be given to areas within or which include:
* State or federal designated enterprise or empowerment zones;
* Mixed-use growth centers, as defined and identified by the proposed City's Comprehensive Plan;
* Existing Model Blocks or special target areas recognized by the City;
* A high priority commercial corridor; or
* U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-eligible areas.

Basic Incentives of the NEZ include:
*Municipal Property Tax Abatement
-The following properties may qualify for municipal property tax abatements-
* Owner-occupied property
* Investor-owned single family property
* Multi-family development project
* Commercial, industrial or community facilities development project
* Mixed-use development project
*Fee Waivers
-The following fees are waived for qualified projects-
* All building permit related fees (including plans review and inspections)
* Plat application fee (including concept plan, preliminary plat, final plat, short form replat)
* Board of Adjustment application fee
* Demolition fee
* Structural moving fee
* Community Facility Agreement (CFA) application fee
* Zoning application fee
* Street and utility easement vacation application fee
* Impact fee
*Release of City Liens
-The following City liens may be released for qualified projects-
* Weed liens
* Demolition liens
* Board-up/open structure liens
* Paving liens

These benefits apply to businesses yes, but also to homeowners, apartments, and property owners. TAKE PART AND BENEFIT!!!

For detailed information about what it takes to qualify for a 1, 5, or 10 year tax abatement; fee waivers; and lien releases and to find out about the other exciting benefits to this process.

To be contacted regarding our meetings for this NEZ Project, please contact us with your name, phone number, and e-mail address.

Click the "Contact" button on the left side of this page!

Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association President Tolli Thomas has been attending meetings for three special projects:
1. Wedgwood Business District Revitalization
2. Granbury Road Restoration
3. MAPP Partnership for Children.
At each of these meetings, significant similarities in issue and in need have arisen and each of these projects can undoubtedly benefit from the declaration of our neighborhood's boundaries being declared a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone by City Council. This will most definitely encourage growth and commerce in the area as well as renovation and remodeling, which will increase property values and beautification.

The NEZ will assist us in all three special committee projects and will assist homeowners as well. There is no other NEZ in District 6 and only one other small area in District 6 qualifies for this zoning. WE are privileged to be eligible for this process and we are encouraging homeowners and business owners alike to become involved.

W.S.N.A. can only lay the ground work and put out the word. You as businesses and property owners must commit to the involvement to benefit. Read on to find out how this special NEZ can benefit you and our neighborhood and PUT A BIG SMILE ON YOUR FACE!

The neighborhood Empowerment Zone or the NEZ Program is available for all NEZs designated by the City Council. The criteria the City Council uses to designate a NEZ are:
* The proposed NEZ must promote creation or rehabilitation of affordable housing; increase in economic development; or increase in the quality of social services, education, or public safety provided to residents in the zone.
* At least 50% of the NEZ is located in CDBG-eligible areas or the "Central City".
* Bounded by clearly defined boundaries (streets, railroads, creeks or other logical boundaries).
* No more than 6,000 people at the time of designation. If more than 6,000 people, the geographic area cannot be larger than 1.5 square miles.
* Meeting criteria for Reinvestment Zone.
* If a proposed NEZ boundary includes an urban village as defined in the 2002 Comprehensive Plan, a logical, defensible area of the urban village as determined by the City of Fort Worth must be zoned mixed-use. Eligible mixed-use zoning classifications include: "MU-1" Low Intensity Mixed-Use District, "MU-2" High Intensity Mixed-Use District, and a compatible "PD" Planned Development District as defined in the City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.

Priority will be given to areas within or which include:
* State or federal designated enterprise or empowerment zones;
* Mixed-use growth centers, as defined and identified by the proposed City's Comprehensive Plan;
* Existing Model Blocks or special target areas recognized by the City;
* A high priority commercial corridor; or
* U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-eligible areas.

Basic Incentives of the NEZ include:
*Municipal Property Tax Abatement
-The following properties may qualify for municipal property tax abatements-
* Owner-occupied property
* Investor-owned single family property
* Multi-family development project
* Commercial, industrial or community facilities development project
* Mixed-use development project
*Fee Waivers
-The following fees are waived for qualified projects-
* All building permit related fees (including plans review and inspections)
* Plat application fee (including concept plan, preliminary plat, final plat, short form replat)
* Board of Adjustment application fee
* Demolition fee
* Structural moving fee
* Community Facility Agreement (CFA) application fee
* Zoning application fee
* Street and utility easement vacation application fee
* Impact fee
*Release of City Liens
-The following City liens may be released for qualified projects-
* Weed liens
* Demolition liens
* Board-up/open structure liens
* Paving liens

These benefits apply to businesses yes, but also to homeowners, apartments, and property owners. TAKE PART AND BENEFIT!!!

For detailed information about what it takes to qualify for a 1, 5, or 10 year tax abatement; fee waivers; and lien releases and to find out about the other exciting benefits to this process.

To be contacted regarding our meetings for this NEZ Project, please contact us with your name, phone number, and e-mail address.

Click the "Contact" button on the left side of this page!