Mayor Jim Ross claps during the annual State of the City Address on Oct. 29 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. Ross discussed the achievements Arlington has made over the past year and plans for the city.
The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual State of the City Address on Thursday at Esports Stadium Arlington.
Mayor Jim Ross, the keynote speaker, provided economic updates on Arlington’s revenue this past year and introduced infrastructure and development plans coming to the city.
“Economic development is not just about buildings,” Ross said. “It’s about people, because economic development ultimately is about giving people more opportunities to build a life here.”
Ross introduced several expansive infrastructure and entertainment plans, including the adoption of a downtown form-based code to update Arlington’s city environment.
The form-based code will prioritize constructing a more walkable and functional atmosphere for residents and visitors, which in turn could increase businesses’ marketability and revenue.
Brian Klaas, UTA College of Business dean, left, and Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, speak during the annual State of the City Address on Oct. 29 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. The College of Business sponsored the awards for the small business of the year.
The city council also approved a mixed-use development plan for downtown Arlington, which will bring office spaces, restaurants, market-rate apartments, new retail and a 600-space parking garage to Arlington’s downtown.
“This is about creating a downtown area where people can live, work, eat, gather and experience our community,” Ross said.
Ross announced that a nearly $30 million substation facility that will house a new Police Department crime lab and evidence storage facility and code compliance offices will soon be open.
He emphasized the cultural and creative richness of Arlington’s art scene, accentuating the city’s diversity and artistic community. Sixteen new public art installations were added, and the city became digital media-friendly certified through the Arlington, TX Film Commission and is now one of the only Texas cities with a collection of creative economy certifications, he said.
To celebrate the city of Arlington’s 150th birthday, Ross placed a nostalgic spotlight on Arlington’s history, from its founding to its present.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and young attendees celebrate Arlington’s 150th birthday during the annual State of the City Address on Oct. 29 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. This year’s theme was “Along the Way.”
He continued by highlighting entertainment brought to Arlington this past year, emphasizing how the city was brought to the national stage through the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington in March and the nine matches of the FIFA World Cup in June and July.
These events brought a significant increase in tourism that left a lasting economic impact on Arlington’s hotels, restaurants and local businesses, Ross said. Alongside these major attractions, the Arlington Entertainment District held many concerts at the AT&T Stadium.
Ross celebrated educational advancements such as UTA’s $86 million U.S. Navy research contract focusing on modern power and propulsion systems and the recognition of four Arlington ISD high schools among the best in America.
“The first 150 years belong to those who came before us,” Ross said, “but the next chapter belongs to all of us.”
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