How Megan Henderson Plans to Grow Near Southside While Preserving Its Soul — Inside the Fort Worth Neighborhood’s 30 Year Transformation

Fort Worth has no shortage of visionary and pioneering people shaping local culture, which is why PaperCity launched a monthly series called “Fort Worth’s Finest.”

In June, we profiled Arts Fort Worth president Wesley Gentle, and this month, we sat down with Megan Henderson.

As the newly appointed president of Near Southside Inc., she now leads a nonprofit organization that has helped transform the district during the past three decades. Henderson builds on 13 years of experience with Near Southside Inc. — most recently as Cultural Director — in a new role that requires maintaining relationships with Medical District leaders while continuing to support the small businesses that give the district its distinctive, community-driven character.

The Near Southside’s 30-Year Transformation

Perhaps Henderson’s appreciation for things that have stuck around long enough to find new value qualifies her to lead development at one of the city’s most historic districts. Before we dove into questions, she quipped about the conference table’s wear and scratches.

“Every deal we’ve done happened over this table,” she says. “Even if we refurbished the whole place, I would probably never touch this. It’s also kind of charming.”

Three decades ago, she says, leaders in the nearby Medical District recognized that the long-term success of their campuses was closely tied to the health of the surrounding neighborhood. The hospitals funded a study by Boston-based Sasaki Associates, which recommended creating a member-based nonprofit to guide revitalization. Near Southside Inc. was established in 1996 to carry out that vision.

Henderson’s tiny but mighty team of six continues to advance the nonprofit’s dual focus on economic and cultural development. High-profile events like ArtsGoggle and Lost ’N Sound draw tens of thousands of locals and visitors, while her staff helps local business owners turn ideas into brick-and-mortar businesses.

“We are looking for people with passion to support from concept to successful small business,” she says. “One example would be Robbie Werner, who started Stir Crazy. She got involved in ArtsGoggle, where people loved her baking. We became the touchpoint organization that helped her find the right property owner and support. Our dream is to identify talents from within the community and help them to the point of opening.”

Building on Decades of Revitalization

The surrounding Fairmount Historic District also benefited from Near Southside Inc.’s out-of-the-box thinking. Early in the revitalization effort, the nonprofit commissioned architect-designed home plans to help fill the neighborhood’s empty lots while complementing its historic character, selling them for around $20(!) when comparable plans might otherwise cost $20,000 to $30,000.

Henderson’s predecessor, Mike Brennan, says her unique skills and sincere attachment to the Near Southside likely influenced the nonprofit board’s vote to elect her. Having worked alongside Henderson for 13 years, Brennan points to her communication skills, work ethic, ability to build relationships, and mastery of the organization’s development side as qualities that prepared her for the role.

“I enjoyed every day working with her,” Brennan says. “She’s a superstar.”

After 30 years, the district has seen profound growth, becoming home to local standouts like Ellerbe Fine Foods, The Usual, Panther City BBQ, and many others.

“I think those 30 years brought us to the moment where we’ve set the stage for small businesses to have the support they need to continue to thrive,” Henderson says.

Rising real estate prices and rents are making smaller spaces increasingly attractive to tenants like Hiro’s Kitchen — where we recently spotted Henderson among plenty of local supporters. Among her most pressing priorities is attracting an urban-format grocer like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods to the area, maintaining affordable housing, protecting local small businesses, and growing without losing the district’s soul along the way — no small task.

“We’re a small staff, but we do a colossal amount of work,” Henderson says. “We operate like a family because we believe in this work. My job is to make sure that the team has the resources they need to be successful.”

Big ambitions are nothing new for Henderson’s team.