The Director of Placemaking and Urban Design is a vital member of NSI’s 5-person team, and a key contributor to our diverse work program of economic and community development initiatives.

This full-time position leads NSI’s work in two primary categories:

1. Management of NSI-led placemaking projects, primarily focused on the creation and management of public spaces ranging from major public park projects to small parklets and plazas, and also including transformative street improvement projects.
2. Facilitation and design review of private development projects located within the Near Southside, working in close partnership with developers and the City of Fort Worth to advance a wide range of urban infill development projects.

In addition, because NSI’s work program requires all teammates to be strong collaborators, this position provides key assistance on events throughout the year, ranging from community events such as ArtsGoggle and Fridays on the Green, to monthly member networking events. While this aspect of the job is primarily in a support role, event assistance often helps strengthen relationships with those NSI members involved in development- and project-related activities.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Certain skills and experience are essential to the position:

• Project management: Ability to manage the work of design consultants and contractors on a variety of public projects, often in partnership with transportation and parks staff from the City of Fort Worth, and to keep projects on schedule and budget.
• Urban design: While a design degree is not required, experience closely connected to urban design, landscape architecture, and/or civil engineering would be an asset. At a minimum, a strong understanding of urban design principles and practices is important to the position.
• Written and verbal communication: The ability to effectively communicate – in writing, through slide presentations, and verbally – without requiring close supervision is critically important to many aspects of the job.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The list below includes projects and initiatives currently underway, or in the pipeline, that would likely be led by the Director of Placemaking and Urban Design.

NSI-LED PROJECTS: STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION

• Rosedale and South Main Gateways
• Wayfinding Design and Installation
• Streetscape Projects Program
• On-Street Parking and Curb Management
• Near Southside Street Repair Program (w/ CFW)
• Mistletoe Blvd. Quiet Zone (w/ CFW)

PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT

• South Main Village Parks: The Skinny and Calhound Parks
• Small Places Program: South Main MicroPark, South Main Squeeze, future projects
• Near Southside Parklet Program
• Fire Station Park (w/ CFW, upon completion)
• Evans Avenue Park Design (proposed)

DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATION AND DESIGN REVIEW

• Development project plan review and facilitation
• Design Review Committee: Meetings & Urban Design Commission Recommendations

POLICY AND PLANNING INITIATIVES

• Amendments to NS Development Code (w/ CFW)
• DAC Infill Task Force (w/ Mike B.)

NSI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

• TEXRail Mistletoe Station TOD Plan (w/ Mike B.)
• Near Southside Creative Incubator at Southside Preservation Hall (w/ Mike B.)
• Development Tours and Seminars (w/ team)

CURRENT MAJOR DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIONS

• The Vickery at Near Southside
• 200 W. Vickery TOD (w/ Trinity Metro)
• Evans & Rosedale (w/ City of FW)
• Historic Laundry Block
• Juneteenth Museum