Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Receives IDA Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for the T&P Passage Project
September 25,2025
DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH, TEXAS (September 25, 2025) – The International Downtown Association recognized Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI) with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for the T&P Passage Project. A jury of peer professionals reviewed, deliberated, and evaluated all entries in the 2025 Downtown Achievement Awards. The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating application of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria.
The T&P Passage Project was entered in the category of Planning, Design, and Infrastructure, which IDA identifies as one of the seven professional urban place management practice areas. This category features unique organizational approaches and projects in the areas of downtown master planning, streetscape improvements, sustainable infrastructure, and wayfinding.
“We are proud to receive the IDA Award of Excellence,” said DFWI Chairman Henry Borbolla. “We share this recognition with our partners in the Lancaster TIF, the City of Fort Worth, Trinity Metro, the T&P Condo Association, and the US Postal Service.”
Impact on the City of Fort Worth
The T&P Passage Project greatly improves the connection between downtown and the TEXRail and TRE platforms at downtown’s southern terminal. The project enhances accessibility for daily commuters, visitors, and travelers with bold streetside signage, a formal, illuminated plaza and walkway, clear wayfinding signage, public art, and historic displays. These improvements ensure that first and last impressions of Fort Worth reflect the city’s vibrancy, hospitality, and heritage.
Beyond transportation, the project strengthens Fort Worth’s cultural identity. Storytelling elements along the route highlight railroad moments in the city’s past. Included are the construction of the grand Art Deco T&P building, imagery of people who passed through the station, and photos of those who built the tracks and operated the trains. Artist Ariel Davis's Looking Up: A View of The Lone Star Sky mural transforms the tunnel’s underground landing into a bright, airy welcome to Fort Worth. Together, these improvements celebrate Fort Worth’s heritage and elevate its image as a city that values innovation, our past, our visitors, and transit.
The T&P Passage Project demonstrates how thoughtfully designed infrastructure can provide lasting and extra value to locals and visitors by meeting practical needs and enriching city culture.
“Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management principles with their T&P Passage Project,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The T&P Passage Project serves as a framework for all member communities within IDA.”
IDA convenes September 24-27, 2025, in Washington, DC, for Interwoven: The Power of Passion, Place & Purpose, a four-day conference to explore and share emerging trends in place management. Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. will be recognized for their award-winning project during the Downtown Achievement Awards ceremony at the 71st Annual Conference & Marketplace, September 24-27, 2025. IDA’s Annual Conference & Marketplace is the premier gathering for professional place managers and urban champions creating vibrant and healthy cities around the world. The conference features educational sessions, Master Talks (short keynotes from industry leaders), marketplace exhibitors, and networking opportunities.
In addition, the T&P Passage Project will be displayed at the National Building Museum in the City Action Hall, a room within the Museum’s latest exhibition, Coming Together: Reimagining America’s Downtowns. Coming Together explores the lessons learned and opportunities embraced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a period of adapting and reshaping, cities across the country are coming to terms with lasting changes in work, housing, mobility, entertainment, and recreation.
Washington, DC-based IDA is the world’s premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. is a private sector membership organization that partners with local government to advance the improvement and growth of Downtown Fort Worth.
About Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. is a catalyst for transforming Downtown into a vibrant place to live, visit, enjoy, and conduct business through leadership, programs, projects, and partnerships. Formed in 1981, DFWI is Downtown Fort Worth's planning, advocacy, public space, and project management organization. www.dfwi.org.
DFWI Media Contact:
Andy Taft
President
817-475-1115
andy@dfwi.org
About IDA
The International Downtown Association is the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. Our members are city builders and downtown champions who bring urban centers to life, bridging the gap between the public and private sectors. We represent an industry of more than 2,500 place management organizations, employing 100,000 people throughout North America and growing rapidly around the world. Founded in 1954, IDA is a resource center for ideas and innovative best practices in urban place management. For more information, visit downtown.org.
IDA Media Contact:
Allison Shashok
Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Operations
International Downtown Association
(202) 798-5926
About the National Building Museum
The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. We believe that understanding the impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design is important for everyone. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events, we welcome visitors of all ages to experience stories about the built world and its power to shape our lives, our communities, and our futures. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448, info@nbm.org, or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
###