Near Southside, Inc.

About

Near Southside, Inc. (NSI) is a private, member-funded, 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the Near Southside and working in partnership with Historic Southside, Inc. (HSI), a 501(c)(3) non-profit in pursuit of the same goals. Together, we promote the ongoing redevelopment of Fort Worth’s Near Southside as a vibrant, urban, mixed-use neighborhood.

NSI began as a small coalition of Near Southside businesses and community leaders and has grown dramatically over the last two decades. Neighborhood concepts are re-imagined as the beneficial alliance between the medical district, small business owners and residents – each strengthen the unique selling points of the others. NSI bolsters members’ efforts amidst big city interests, which, in turn, protects the momentum of the neighborhood and, by extension, the community at large. We invite you to join us as we promote the ongoing redevelopment of the Near Southside as a vibrant, urban, mixed-use neighborhood.

WHAT WE DO

RE-ESTABLISH WALKABLE URBANISM 

Advocating for development and growth toward our vision of a highly walkable, mixed-use, vibrant urban neighborhood. Urban Villages • Complete Streets • Transportation • Parking and Circulation • Parks and Public Spacesaces 

PRIORITIZE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT 

Joining with public and private partners to build housing that meets the needs of all residents, including a diversity of unit types that achieves affordability and accessibility. Apartments and Lofts • Mixed Use • Townhomes and Condos • Education 

BALANCE PRESERVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION 

Working to preserve the Near Southside’s authentic historic character by advocating for and facilitating adaptive reuse projects in addition to new construction. Historic Commercial • Historic Residential 

SUPPORT ECONOMIC ANCHORS AND INSTITUTIONS 

Continue ongoing efforts to ensure the Near Southside is a place where economic anchors thrive, creating more than 40,000 jobs and fueling Tarrant County’s second largest employment center. Health Sciences • Financial Services • Development • Creative Agencies • Manufacturing • Non-Profit 

PROMOTE LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES 

Serving as a tireless advocate on behalf of the entrepreneurial culture and the district’s small businesses, creating a community where businesses support each other and treat customers like neighbors. Small Business Development • Southside Guide • Event Promotions • Small Business Council 

IMPROVE PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE 

Promoting the Near Southside by producing eight free-to-the-public events each year that bring valuable exposure to the community and expand opportunities for local artists. Community Events and Initiatives • Developer Resources 

ENCOURAGE BOTH SMALL SCALE AND LARGER PROJECTS 

2019 PROGRESS REPORT: Working with developers at both ends of the spectrum to encourage growth that ensures we are creating the vibrant, urban community we want to call home.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership dues provide critical financial support for the ongoing work of Near Southside, Inc., a member-funded organization. In return, NSI provides a number of benefits including networking opportunities, marketing and promotional support, advocacy, and committee leadership. Becoming a member is an investment in your business and an investment in the Near Southside.

NSI members range from the largest economic anchors and institutions to small entrepreneurial start-ups, and each receive a wide range of benefits, including: 

BOARD SERVICE Appointed members of NSI’s Board of Directors shape the policies and practices of the organization. Board service gives members the chance to broaden their connections and build valuable relationships with other Near Southside supporters. 

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP Members appointed to the Development Committee, Design Review Committee, or Marketing Committee have the opportunity to engage in the policy issues that impact the district’s business and residential community. 

ADVOCACY When development projects or member businesses are faced with complex issues, NSI is available to build consensus through coordinated meetings and thoughtful discussion with government agencies, city planners, neighborhood associations, and others to help achieve positive outcomes. 

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES Business-owners and stakeholders make more informed business decisions through the assistance, connections, and information that only NSI provides. 

DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT Members involved in development projects can call on NSI staff for advice, expertise, consultation, and guidance, whether in the initial brainstorming stage or nearing completion. 

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT The Near Southside Weekly Buzz email blast, printed publications, and social media outlets help provide marketing and promotional support for businesses and their events in our district. In addition, the Near Southside, Inc. marketing and communications staff members are invaluable resources to navigating best practices for sharing your message with the broader community and are available to serve in an advisory capacity for NSI members.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNTIES NSI produces 8 signature free-to-the-public events each year reaching an annual total of approximately 90,000 attendees. ArtsGoggle, Open Streets, and Friday on the Green offer promotional opportunities with valuable exposure to the community.

VISIBILITY Listings in the Near Southside member directory include a direct link to the company website/social media, business description, photo, and contact information. 

DISCOUNTED TICKETS Member tickets can be purchased for the annual Near Southside Shindig and to the Near Southside Seminar Series. Both offer thoughtful presentations from development professionals addressing issues applicable to Near Southside revitalization. 

NETWORKING Attendance at NSI events provides valuable face time with other members and the chance to receive neighborhood updates that are typically not yet public information.