![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Goss-VaughnBlvdCorridor-05-1024x683.jpg\")
Texas Wesleyan University stands at the end of Vaughn Boulevard on June 26, 2025, in Fort Worth. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\nKeep the Rosedale renaissance going.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the goal of the Poly Main Street program under the leadership of Texas Wesleyan University officials. The initiative is planned as a decades-long project to improve the area around the campus.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, two Fort Worth City Council members unveiled a new logo for the eastside community program \u2014 a brand that incorporates iconic buildings in the neighborhood. The circular logo \u2014 with images of the shuttered Poly Theatre, Texas Wesleyan\u2019s Canafax Clock Tower and Polytechnic High School \u2014 includes the motto, \u201cPreserving the Past, Building our Future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Main Street program is focusing on two transportation and commercial corridors \u2014 East Rosedale Street and Vaughn Boulevard. Both streets are targeted for economic growth and beautification efforts by leasing out retail storefronts and making more public improvements near Texas Wesleyan, officials said. Texas Wesleyan students are involved in planning and meeting with residents.<\/p>\n
Dwala Chandler, Texas Wesleyan\u2019s director for service learning and leader of the Main Street effort, said residents, business owners and other stakeholders have supported redevelopment efforts in Polytechnic Heights for many years.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour investment in this neighborhood is what makes this work possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Renderings shown at a reception \u201crepresent possibilities, so they\u2019re not promises of what will happen tomorrow,\u201d Chandler said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead, they help us visualize what could be achieved through continued partnership and investment. Imagine attractive streetscapes, improved landscaping, decorative lighting, wayfinding signs, public gathering spaces, public art, improved sidewalks, places where families gather, where people stop for coffee, where businesses flourish and where students and residents interact.<\/p>\n
Launched in 2022, the initial three-year city pilot program provided Polytechnic Heights and the Northside $120,000 for administrative and operational funding in addition to a $150,000 in grant funding to reenergize efforts from the initial program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last summer, the pilot was extended two more years. The Poly program received $60,000 for administrative costs since the district\u2019s prior managers didn\u2019t spend the initial $150,000.<\/p>\n
Emily Messer, Texas Wesleyan president, said the university is blessed to work with the city to improve the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the gem of east Fort Worth. We have great pride in the service to our community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Texas Wesleyan University stands at the end of Vaughn Boulevard on June 26, 2025, in Fort Worth. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Council members Chris Nettles and Jeanette Martinez, both on the Texas Wesleyan board of trustees, showed off the new logo at the campus reception.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor some it may not be a big deal, but to celebrate the logo is really important,\u201d said Nettles, whose council district includes the Texas Wesleyan campus. \u201cI think it\u2019s so important and beneficial for us to celebrate the logo. The logo is an example of where we\u2019re going, it\u2019s where we\u2019ve been. It\u2019s an example of how important this (is) to the city of Fort Worth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nettles said he appreciated the university for taking over the stalled Poly Main Street program, previously operated by Southeast Fort Worth Inc.<\/p>\n
Vaughn Boulevard, from East Rosedale to MLK Highway, is a dividing line between Nettles\u2019 and Martinez\u2019s council districts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe share Poly Main Street,\u201d Nettles said. \u201cThat effort makes it even better because you have two people on council fighting for dollars to make sure this investment continues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martinez, a 2012 Texas Wesleyan graduate, said the Main Street program will benefit the community, and stakeholders will benefit from renewed improvement efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s just a logo, but it\u2019s really exciting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC08812-1024x576.jpg\")
Dwala Chandler, Texas Wesleyan University’s director for service learning, talks about the Poly Main Street program she is directing as TWU President Emily Messer looks on. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Chandler said the Main Street program is \u201cthe beginning of a transformational journey for Polytechnic Heights.\u201d<\/p>\n
The neighborhood, about 3 miles from downtown, is a majority-Hispanic <\/a>area that shares history with the adjacent, predominantly Black Stop Six neighborhood<\/a>. Some historic storefronts remain shuttered after years of disinvestment.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we talk about Poly Main Street, we\u2019re talking about preserving the history that makes this neighborhood so special while creating new opportunities that will benefit future generations,\u201d Chandler said. \u201cThe logo you see today is simply the beginning. It represents the work that has already begun and the exciting future we are building together.\u201d<\/p>\n Chandler said the program benefits from Texas Wesleyan students who receive hands-on experience through a community-based college course and related nonprofit organization.<\/p>\n The program is based on four pillars \u2014 organization, promotion, design and economic vitality \u2014 that help address neighborhood challenges, Chandler said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe chose to focus on the opportunities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The program will be centered on East Rosedale Street between Ayers Avenue and Beach Street and Vaughn Boulevard from East Rosedale to MLK Highway to create a connected community.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re not just roads, they\u2019re opportunities,\u201d Chandler said. \u201cPeople are always the focus of revitalization.\u201d<\/p>\n Chandler said the program\u2019s participants want ideas that they can use to help plan improvements, referring to renderings shown at the reception as possible projects.<\/p>\n \u201cThese images remind us that transformation is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC08815-1024x576.jpg\")
Renderings show possible Main Street improvements that could be made to Vaughn Boulevard near Texas Wesleyan University. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n