From NBC 5 DFW:
Construction is underway at a mixed-income housing complex in Fort Worth named after long-time activist and educator, Opal Lee.
The complex is named “The Opal” in honor of Opal Lee, known nationally as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Lee is known for her campaign to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, an effort that became a reality in 2021.
“I think the Opal is going to be, as the young people say, 'the bomb!' Oh, just think of the people who will have decent houses,” Lee said Thursday.
Lee was the keynote speaker at a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for the development. It will be located next to its sister property, The Holston, which is near Fort Worth’s Alliance Airport. Mary-Margaret Lemons, president of Fort Worth Housing Solutions, said the need for more affordable housing in Fort Worth has been needed and the need continues to grow.
“This is such a great location for jobs. Instead of having people travel up and down 35, they can live where they work. It’s a great place for schools,” Lemons said. “By having a mixed-income approach, we can serve those market rate tenants as well as those that need an affordable or workforce unit.”
Read NBC 5 DFW's article "New Housing Complex Named After Fort Worth's Opal Lee."