Fort Worth Relocated Southside Community Center
The community center has moved to a new facility ahead of the National Juneteenth Museum's construction.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in African-American
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The Southside Community Center held a grand opening at 818 Missouri Avenue, less than one mile from its former home at 959 E. Rosedale Street. The relocation clears space for the future 50,000-square-foot National Juneteenth Museum.
Why it matters
The move was necessary because the former 50-year-old facility required nearly $10 million in repairs to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Leasing the site to the museum allows for the creation of a major cultural landmark in the Historic Southside.
The former site spanned 19,000 square feet, while the city secured a 40-year lease for the land to the museum at an annual rate of $1. The new center now houses essential neighborhood programs including Meals on Wheels and the Best Years Club.
The players
Johnny Lewis
He was a community leader whose legacy is honored by the city through the naming of the local Youth Activity Center.
National Juneteenth Museum
This institution is set to occupy the former community center site following a 40-year lease agreement with the city.
The details
City staff coordinated the move to the Hazel Harvey Peace Center to maintain community access to after-school services and senior programs. The city council also honored the late Johnny Lewis by naming the local Youth Activity Center in his memory.
Timeline
2022: The city commissioned a structural condition report for the community center.
July 2026: Local community advocate Johnny Lewis died at age 78.
Thursday, October 1, 2026: The new community center celebrated its grand opening.
October 7, 2026: Demolition of the former community center building is scheduled to begin.
Roadmap
The transition reflects a growing municipal trend of replacing aging civic infrastructure with modern, accessible facilities rather than attempting costly retrofits. By repurposing this land for the National Juneteenth Museum, Fort Worth aligns with broader efforts to preserve and celebrate local heritage sites.
Residents can now access services like Meals on Wheels and after-school programs at the new 818 Missouri Avenue facility. These services remain available to the community despite the shift in physical location within the Historic Southside neighborhood.
The takeaway
This relocation ensures that critical community services continue uninterrupted while clearing the way for a major national institution. Residents should update their records to reflect the new facility address on Missouri Avenue for all scheduled committee meetings.
What happens next
Demolition of the old community center building at 959 E. Rosedale Street is slated to begin on October 7, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural developments in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
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