Mayor Williams kicked off the event debuting a new economic development initiative for the City – We Can, We Do – and made it the theme for his speech. He described the pillars of the City that enable it to grow so successfully – Tourism, Economic Development, Downtown Development, Innovation, Transporation and Neighborhoods.
TOURISM – Statistics show that Arlington currently hosts more than 14 million visitors a year, and the goal for 2020 is 17 million. Texas Live! and the newly opened Live! by Loews Hotel adds to the excitement of the Entertainment District. Globe Life Park will now be home to the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, a planned professional American football league. Globe Life Park will also welcome the new global headquarters for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. The Texas Rangers will have their new home at Globe Life Field, the gold standard for all MLB Teams, which will host more than 300 events a year. Arlington is honored to be the future home of the National Medal of Honor Museum, which will include the inspirational stories of more than 3,500 Medal of Honor Recipients.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – The boom of growth in our business community over the past year has put a national spotlight on Arlington. With General Motors’ $1.4 billion expansion of the Arlington Assembly plant and the $250 million invested in the Arlington Automotive Logistics Center, the community will benefit. Thanks to Rent the Runway, Arlington is home to the country’s largest dry cleaner and distribution center with 500 new jobs. Also, more than 2,500 jobs were created between the UPS Distribution Center, the Summit Racing Distribution Center, the Aetna Regional Facility and the FedEx Distribution Center.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT – Arlington’s Downtown Development has grown tremendously over the last few years. Urban Union, which includes Legal Draft, Sugarbee Sweets Bakery, Union Worx Coworking, and Tipsy Oak to name a few, has played a significant role in making our downtown a vibrant local attraction. The new addition of murals by Tex Motion in the Downtown area has sparked even more excitement. Hurtado Barbecue and Canne Rosso will soon join the creative restaurants and businesses downtown.
INNOVATION – Esports Stadium Arlington is North America’s largest esports venue and the first of its kind. In November, the stadium will host the 2019 Esports Awards, the first time this awards ceremony has ever been hosted in the United States. Arlington is the first in Texas to receive the 2019 What Works Cities Certification, which recognizes excellence in city services and innovation. Mayor Williams also recognized the innovation of the Arlington ISD and the Mansfield ISD. The Arlington ISD continues to grow the Career and Technical Education Center, and the district’s Fine Arts Performance Center will open in 2020. Mansfield ISD just opened an Academy for Open Learners, which will be the first of its kind in the entire country.
TRANSPORTATION – Arlington prioritizes transportation for its residents and businesses and is investing in new transportation solutions. The creation of the Virgin Hyperloop will soon connect Texas cities and enable faster transportation. Since the rollout of its pilot program, the rideshare service Via has offered more than 250,000 trips. Arlington’s renovation of Abrams street is near completion, and the City will continue to improve its roads.
NEIGHBORHOODS – Arlington is proud to have D.R. Horton, America’s Builder, call us home. Arlington’s Police and Fire departments are nationally accredited and contribute to our community by keeping us safe. Arlington’s residents also improve the City’s quality of life. Arlington’s is ranked #1 for National Night Out participation by communities of 300,000 or more.
The Annual State of the City Address showcased how Arlington is growing and improving. Our tourism, economic development, downtown development, innovation, transportation and neighborhoods have shaped Arlington for the better. The Arlington community will continue to dream big because “We Can, We Do.”
The City of Arlington live-streamed the event on Facebook. You can watch the Annual State of the City Address here.