The city of Fort Worth is considering a historic designation for the 113-year-old TXU North Main Power Plant, which has been shuttered since its closure in recent years. The nonprofit preservation organization Historic Fort Worth is working with Mayor Mattie Parker and members of the Fort Worth City Council to nominate the building as a city of Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmark. This designation could provide substantial financial incentives for the restoration of the iconic resource.
Historic Fort Worth officials believe that historic designation would help offset the costs of restoration by offering economic incentives. The designation would allow for the gutting of the building, with only the historic facade preserved. Council member Carlos Flores has reached out to Tarrant County College (TCC) trustees to gauge their level of interest in discussing the nomination.
The city wants to be respectful of TCC and gain college officials’ support, as local historic designations require a super-majority vote by the City Council. Three options for historic designation are being considered: Highly Significant Endangered, Historic and Cultural Landmark, and Demolition Delay. These options would provide varying levels of protection for the property.
The state and federal governments also offer programs that allow up to 45% in tax credits for eligible rehab expenses on historic properties. If approved, this could significantly increase the redevelopment value of the power plant. Historic Fort Worth officials believe that understanding the benefits of historic designation will gain more traction with developers.
As the college prepares to open bids for the property on November 20, Historic Fort Worth is pushing for a designation prior to the sale. The organization hopes to consult with TCC district officials before the sale. With its prominent location and potential impact on surrounding properties, saving this building has become a priority for the city.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/02/fort-worth-floats-historic-designation-for-tccs-txu-property