Fort Worth Greenlights Juneteenth Museum.

Fort Worth city officials have officially committed to the National Juneteenth Museum, securing a 40-year lease on city property and pledging $15 million to support the long-awaited project.

The City Council unanimously approved the resolution on Feb. 11, granting the museum the Southside Community Center site for just $1 per year. This move helps solve the museum’s biggest hurdle—securing land for construction—while ensuring services at the community center will be relocated nearby once funding is complete.

The museum, spearheaded by Opal Lee, has raised over $40 million toward its $70 million goal. With Fort Worth’s backing, project leaders plan to seek additional state funding. Construction must break ground by Oct. 31, 2027, to keep the city’s support intact.

Once completed, the 50,000-square-foot facility will feature exhibit galleries, a 250-seat theater, a business incubator, and a food hall, becoming a cultural landmark in the Historic Southside.

For the full story, visit Fort Worth Report.