It's starting. Panther Island in Fort Worth won't be only a venue next to a cool drive-in and brewery for much longer. A master planned mixed-use development that will nearly double the size of Downtown will soon kick off to create Panther Island District. At build-out, the district will have more than 10,000 residences within 12 miles.

Encore Multi-Family (a subsidiary of Dallas-based Encore Enterprises) is under contract to break ground at 4th and North Main streets on the project's first private development. The 233k SF multifamily community with 300 units will connect the streetscape to the (eventual) river walk.

Amenities for Encore Panther Island include waterfront balconies, an infinity pool, a fitness center and a sky lounge. The GFF-designed building will break ground summer 2017 and deliver summer 2018.

A series of interconnected canals will wind through the island. District goers can take part in water recreation such as water taxis, kayaks and canoes.

The Trinity River Vision Authority, the organization implementing Panther Island District, drew inspiration from San Antonio's River Walk.

TRVA, which is responsible for the $909M Trinity River Vision project, is creating a master plan for the Trinity River in Fort Worth. It focuses on eight segments of the Trinity River and its tributaries including the Central City (aka Panther Island).