Jarred Howard, the CEO of the Juneteenth Museum, recently addressed the residents of the Historic Southside at the Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary School, questioning why beautiful assets always seem to go to other communities. This question arises as the neighborhood faces a critical decision regarding the future of the Southside Community Center. The proposal on the table is to demolish the existing community center and construct the National Juneteenth Museum in its place.
The Southside Community Center, located at 959 E. Rosedale St., is a bustling hub of activity for the community. It serves as a meeting space for a diverse range of community members, from young students participating in after-school programs to elderly adults engaging in various activities. However, the building, which is over 50 years old, is in dire need of around $10 million in repairs, according to a recent condition report commissioned by the city.
Monique Hill, the assistant director of the parks and recreation department, highlighted the numerous issues plaguing the aging building. From not meeting current Americans with Disabilities Act standards to requiring costly renovations like asbestos remediation, the community center faces significant challenges. District 8 council member Chris Nettles emphasized that at some point, the building will become unusable.
The proposal to demolish the community center and build the Juneteenth Museum in its place presents a solution to a pressing problem for the museum. While the museum has acquired land in the neighborhood, it lacks key plots necessary for its original plans. Acquiring the community center’s land would allow the museum to remain in the neighborhood, close to where Opal Lee, known as “the grandmother of Juneteenth,” established the first Juneteenth museum.
During a meeting with the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, a group voted to formally support the museum’s request to acquire the Southside Community Center. However, the city of Fort Worth must agree to a long-term lease of the underlying land to make the proposal a reality. Nettles acknowledged the community’s concerns about losing a 50-year-old community center but stressed the importance of engaging in a broader community discussion.
While some residents support the construction of the museum and recognize the deficiencies of the current community center, others have raised concerns about displacing vital services offered at the center. Classes on various topics, birthday celebrations, AARP meetings, and even polling locations for elections are hosted at the community center. Debra Rivers, president of the local AARP chapter, expressed concerns about potential disruptions to their longstanding meetings and activities.
James Walker, the president of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, proposed building a new community center elsewhere and suggested a potential location within Glenwood Park. However, some residents, like Rivers, expressed concerns about the accessibility and convenience of a new location for their group members. Dave Lewis of the park and recreation department mentioned existing facilities within the neighborhood and outlined potential options for relocating community center programs in case of a demolition.
City Manager David Cooke indicated the possibility of hosting another meeting to further discuss the proposal based on the community’s feedback. He emphasized the importance of gathering survey responses to inform future decisions. Nettles reiterated the community’s desire for both the museum and a new community center and stressed the need for inclusive decision-making processes.
As the future of the Southside Community Center and the potential National Juneteenth Museum unfolds, residents like Rivers are left in a state of anticipation, unsure of what lies ahead. The ongoing dialogue and community engagement will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of this significant decision for the Historic Southside neighborhood.
