The Tarrant County city of Mansfield has curated its historic downtown with a purpose. Amid the suburban sprawl of supermarkets, including an on-the-way H-E-B, and big-box retailers, downtown has kept its historic charm with well-maintained buildings, dozens of murals, and community events.
Now, the city is adding a $65 million mixed-use development a block east and within easy walking distance of downtown. The city recently voted on a tax increment reinvestment zone to help fund the project, which is scheduled to start construction later this year.
Called Smith & Elm — naturally, because it’s at the intersection of Smith and Elm streets — the development will include apartments and retail space.
The first phase will include 253 urban apartments with ground floor live/work spaces and about 13,000 square feet of retail and restaurants. It will include a central park area for community events.
In a statement, Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans said the community is excited to see new development coming to take the area to the next level.
“We believe the mix of housing, innovation, and community space will bring together a greater good for our city,” he said.
Dallas-based Hoque Global, a major player in development in North Texas with developments in downtown Dallas and southern Dallas, has teamed with the city on Smith & Elm.
“We believe Smith & Elm with its focus on innovation, community building, and integration with the historic downtown will be a catalyst for more growth and opportunities in the area,” Mike Hoque, CEO of Hoque Global, said in a statement.
Mansfield’s population has grown by more than 30 percent in the past decade to 74,368 residents. The growing Tarrant County community’s sprawl has gone on without impacting downtown.
On Main Street, the buildings are well-maintained. Murals give it historic character. It has an active performing arts theater (Far Best) where country singer Maren Morris would perform. Down the street is an outdoor venue called The LOT Downtown. Across the street is The Backyard, a cluster of restaurants, including a cigar bar coming soon.
The city even celebrates pickles with its annual Pickle Parade, one of the top community-led events in Texas.
The beauty of Smith & Elm: Residents will be able to walk just a few yards to see the Pickle Parade roll by.
