North Richland Hills city officials said they are in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with Patriotic Pig, a business courted by two neighboring cities for its expansion plan. The new eatery and event center, which would have a full bar and serve steaks and seafood as well as barbecue, would be located south of the Main Street and Smithfield intersection \u2014 an area that officials have prioritized for redevelopment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project is expected to serve as a catalyst for revitalization in the area,\u201d officials said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, North Richland Hills would contribute 3.52 acres, valued at $1.4 million, to the project. The city would be reimbursed for that amount by the sixth year of operation for Patriotic Pig Chophouse. The business is expected to generate $2.3 million in local tax revenue over the first 10 years, based on the projected taxable sales and property value increases expected for the site.<\/p>\n
The project site \u2014 once used for outdoor fence storage \u2014 was purchased by the city with general fund reserves in 2021 for $1.35 million, about $500,000 less than its appraised value. The city\u2019s purchase also served as a match for a transit-oriented federal grant administered by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.<\/p>\n
City officials said various developers initially proposed mixed-use projects with up to 300 multifamily apartments, however zoning changes did not move forward because of community concerns about dense housing.<\/p>\n
In 2023, the city shifted its focus to entertainment and dining concepts based on community preferences, officials said.<\/p>\n
The deal is contingent upon Patriotic Pig meeting specific performance milestones and includes safeguards such as holding a lien to protect the city\u2019s interests, officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this case, the opportunity to retain and grow a local business, stimulate redevelopment, and expand the commercial tax base remains under active consideration by (the) City Council.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some residents expressed support for the project while others were concerned about whether the project would hurt Back Forty Smokehouse<\/a>, a longtime barbecue restaurant on Main Street about a half mile away from Smithfield Station.<\/p>\n \u201cOur little community of Smithfield has been needing more development so any plans to add more businesses or opportunities for this area is a win!\u201d Ryan Burkhart wrote in a Facebook post. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen parts of Smithfield lose out with lack of development or in some cases businesses go under! Now let\u2019s hope as this area is able to get more expansion and development so it brings in more revenue and opportunities for our community!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam Burwell said he was thankful for a new venue.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSteaks, seafood, a bar with entertainment and events \u2014 this is exactly what the area needed,\u201d he wrote on Facebook. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing else like it around. Keep it up!\u201d<\/p>\n Craig Hulse, economic development director for North Richland Hills, said creating transit-oriented developments near Smithfield is challenging because parcels are smaller and less available.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a huge gap between Smithfield and downtown Grapevine\u201d stations, Hulse previously told the Fort Worth Report. \u201cThe riddle of putting together sites to redevelop and develop into TOD development has been slower (and) more difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n The development comes as Trinity Metro seeks to hire<\/a> a director of economic development to guide investment at the transit agency\u2019s rail stations and expand TEXRail into Fort Worth\u2019s medical district.<\/p>\n On Oct. 20, Trinity Metro announced<\/a> a new lease with Edible Ideas Inc. of Dallas to operate a wine bar, restaurant and wedding venue at the historic T&P Station in downtown Fort Worth. The site has been closed since late July 2024 when the T&P Tavern closed after 14 years of operation.<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n News decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Goss-TEXRail-02.jpg\")
The TEXRail train pulls into the Fort Worth Central Station on June 12, 2025. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
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