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Sharon Ellman
Dignitaries, including Opal Lee, third from the right, place shovels in the ground for the ceremonial ground breaking of The Opal.
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Sharon Ellman
Opal Lee delivers the keynote address.
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Sharon Ellman
Mary-Margaret Lemons and Opal Lee pose with a donation check in Lee's name.
Fort Worth dignitaries, including Ms. Opal Lee, the 96-year-old retired educator and community leader known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” turned out for groundbreaking ceremonies on Thursday for The Opal.
The Opal is an affordable housing endeavor of the Fort Worth Housing Solutions in the 3300 block of Keller Haslet Road.
Half of the units will be offered at market rate. The other half will be available to households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income — about $50,650 for an individual. The Opal will reserve 5% of the units for households earning 50% or less of AMI — $31,650 or less for an individual.
This is the sixth property developed by FWHS and AMTEX.
The 19-acre development is the sister property to The Holston, a resort-style community of 265 units that opened in 2021. AMTEX company officials said demand for units at The Holston encouraged partners to fast-track development of The Opal.
“We are thrilled to be able to recognize a woman who has become a national icon in the Juneteenth movement by naming a beautiful new community in honor of Opal Lee,” FWHS President Mary-Margaret Lemons said in a statement. “Ms. Opal has always advocated for opportunity, and residents who choose to make The Opal their home will love the access this community has to job centers, great schools and the thriving Alliance Airport area.”
Amtex President Arjun Nagarkatti presented opening remarks, and Lee gave the keynote address at the ceremony. Fort Worth City Councilman Leonard Firestone also gave remarks.
A donation of $3,000 was made in honor of Lee for Benefitting Citizens Concerned with Human Dignity.
“I’m humbled by the naming of this property for me,” Lee said in an interview with Southern Living. “I’ve lived in some really bad housing in my lifetime, and I am thankful that others are reaping the benefit of excellent housing developed today.”