Camp Bowie District Inc.
Lydia Rickard photographed in Fort Worth, Texas on February 9, 2022. (Photo by/Sharon Ellman)
Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie District Inc. has named Lydia Guajardo Rickard as the public improvement district’s new executive director.
Rickard has been operating as the district’s interim leader since October. She had previously done marketing for the business corridor through LComm Marketing and Public Relations, a marketing firm she closed in January.
“We have grown the district to a place where it deserves the attention of full-time staff and a vison for the next 20 years,” says board chairman J. Mark Harris, president of 8 Feet Development Inc. “The board of directors has faith that with Lydia’s past experiences and future plans, she will build a team dedicated to advancing small to mid-sized business while improving an already thriving Boulevard.”
Camp Bowie District is comprised of two organizations, both dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the historic Boulevard. The nonprofit arm of the organization is focused on philanthropic and charitable initiatives providing program support, small business focus and marketing efforts. The 501©(6) is the member-based arm of the organization that provides advocacy, development, and PID management. Improvement efforts have included infrastructure refinement, the implementation of beautification projects, hosting special events, and serving as an advocate for all development.
Contracted with the city of Fort Worth as the manager of Public Improvement District No. 19 (PID 19), property owners pay an additional tax assessment to increase economic vitality and redevelopment along the Boulevard. PID 19 extends from University Drive to Lackland Road, and includes portions of West 7th Street, Byers, and Lovell.
“Camp Bowie District is the keeper of the Boulevard. Our goal is to preserve the integrity of the historic area,” says Guajardo Rickard. “We are dedicated to preserving the economic engine that is assembled of more than 400 small- to mid-sized businesses, many of which are locally owned.”
Rickard opened LComm Marketing and Public Relations in November 2006. The firm’s client roster included the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Foundation, Fort Worth Housing Solutions, General Motors, LVTRise, Parkland Foundation, TCU athletics, and United Community Centers Inc.