The Fort Worth Report's Bob Francis and Camilo Diaz reported on the city of Fort Worth decision to issue a demolition permit for a portion of long-abandoned grain elevators Fort Worth, Texas. The 12-story structures, which have been unused for over two decades, have been a source of concern for both residents and city officials due to their dilapidated state.
In addition to the approved permit, four more demolition permits are pending final approval, according to records reviewed by the Fort Worth Report. The 2.9-acre site, owned by the 3500 Alice Street Trust, has been labeled as a significant safety hazard. The property’s owners have not responded to multiple requests from city officials to either repair or demolish the structures.
In March, the Fort Worth Building Standards Commission unanimously declared the grain elevators “substandard and hazardous,” enabling the city to proceed with demolition if the owners did not present a plan for demolition or renovation by April 25.
A city report highlighted ongoing issues at the site, noting it has been a hotspot for vagrancy, criminal activities, illegal dumping, and various health and nuisance violations. Since 2006, police have responded to at least 367 calls to the address, and the city has received 59 citizen complaints during the same period. The site's dangerous conditions were tragically underscored in 2016 when a 17-year-old girl died after falling down a grain chute inside the complex.
