missing middle housing
event recap
In 2017, a sold-out crowd gathered for a day-long discussion on infill development of small-scale, high-quality residential projects that fall on the spectrum between low-density, single-family neighborhoods and large, high-density apartment complexes.
The day began with a Keynote presentation by Dan Parolek of Opticos Design. Parolek, who coined the phrase “Missing Middle,” is a sought-after expert on infill development of small-scale, high-quality residential projects that fall on the spectrum between low-density, single-family neighborhoods and large, high-density apartment complexes.
Following the keynote, we had the privilege of hosting two stellar panel discussions. The Design and Development panel included Bishop Arts District developer Christian Chernock of Dallas and Graham Black, owner/developer of GProjects in Seattle, and was moderated by Dan Parolek.
Our second panel, Context and Community, included Civic Leader Margaret DeMoss of DeMoss Construction, Donna VanNess of Tarrant County Housing Partnership, and Brad Lonberger of Gateway Planning Group. The conversation was moderated by Jim Johnson of Landmark Renewal and Berry Street Initiative.
The group then enjoyed lunch from Z's Cafe and a presentation from Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa titled "Proven Progress, Lessons Learned, and the Work Remaining Along Our Way to Walkable Urbanism and Housing Choice in Fort Worth from 2000-2020.
Fresh on the heels of Fernando's comprehensive presentation, the group boarded buses and departed for a three-hour driving tour of neighborhoods surrounding TCU, the Near Southside, and Cultural District. Our sincere thanks to tour hosts Joel Burns, Joe Self, Chris Powers, and Mike Brennan for guiding this expansive look at Fort Worth's current middle housing offerings.
The day ended with a cold beverage and casual conversation amongst the group thanks to Bennet Benner Partners and Kimley-Horn for their financial support, and to Eddie Vanston and our friends at Shipping & Receiving for hosting. A team from Bennett Benner Partners offered concept drawings for a 12-block section of the Near Southside to spark conversation about the opportunities and policies that might pave the way to a more vibrant middle housing approach.
keynote speaker:
dan parolek, opticos design
Dan Parolekis a nationally recognizedthought leader in architecture, design, andurban planning, specifically in terms ofcreating livable, sustainable communitiesand buildings that reinforce them. Sinceestablishing himself early in his career as anexpert in these fields, he has won nationalcompetitions and awards for his work and isoften asked to contribute to publications andresources.Over the years, he has becomeone of the leading practitioners of Form-Based Coding and regularly teaches
workshops on New Urbanism and Smart Growth, Missing Middle Housing,Coding, and Urban Living.
