Imagine a place of profound change, where history’s shadows yield to a future full of light. Fort Worth’s former KKK hall is being reborn as an arts and community healing center, transforming a painful past into a vibrant hub for all. What kind of impact do you think such a powerful transformation will have on the city?
A profound transformation is underway in Fort Worth, as a building once associated with a notorious hate group is being reimagined as a vibrant center for arts and community healing. This ambitious project, spearheaded by the nonprofit Transform 1012, signifies a powerful shift from a divisive past to a future dedicated to unity and cultural enrichment.
The initial phases of construction involve meticulous demolition, carefully clearing debris and non-historical structures while preserving the building’s core integrity. Crews are diligently working to prepare the 70,000-square-foot space at 1012 N. Main St. for its new purpose, with sounds of saws and falling walls echoing the beginning of a new chapter for this historic site.
Executive Director Carlos Gonzalez-Jaime of Transform 1012 expressed profound excitement and comfort during a recent tour, witnessing the physical metamorphosis. This building, with its complex history including a past as a Ku Klux Klan auditorium built in the 1920s, is now on a path to become a symbol of light and reconciliation.
The ultimate vision for this site is the Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing, a name chosen to honor Fred Rouse, a Black man tragically lynched in Fort Worth in 1921. The center aims to serve as a perpetual memorial, telling truths about the city’s difficult past while actively fostering a future of understanding and collective well-being.
Future plans for this cultural hub are extensive, designed to cater to diverse community needs. It will feature dedicated performance spaces, versatile meeting rooms, an innovative outdoor urban marketplace, and essential workspaces for local artists. Additionally, the center is committed to offering historical exhibits and specialized services for underserved and LGBTQ+ youth, reinforcing its role as a beacon of inclusivity.
While the project’s original $43 million budget has seen an increase due to rising material costs, Transform 1012 remains steadfast in its mission despite recent funding setbacks, including a withdrawn National Endowment for the Arts grant. The nonprofit is actively pursuing a mix of public and private funding, demonstrating resilience and a strong commitment to its transformative goals for Fort Worth arts.
The collaborative design team, comprising Dennis Chiessa of ch_studio, Germane Barnes of Studio Barnes, and Maria Gomez of GFF, is poised to unveil the first concept design this fall. Following crucial community feedback sessions, ground construction for the arts hub is projected to commence in early 2027, culminating in a grand opening anticipated for 2028.
Gonzalez-Jaime firmly believes that despite the years of work ahead, the Fred Rouse Center will profoundly impact Fort Worth. It promises to be a vital space for reflection, historical truth-telling, and, most importantly, for uniting communities in a shared journey towards healing and collective progress, shining a light on a once dark place.
