8 minute read
This ‘n Data
from June 2022
PLAZA DEDICATED TO FORMER MAYOR WILLIAMS
Visitors arriving at the south entrance to City Hall are now greeted by one of former Mayor Jeff William’s best-known catchphrases, “It’s a great day in Arlington!”
Advertisement
The phrase, emblazoned in metal lettering on the large stone public seating area in front of the building, was unveiled last month as part of the City’s dedication of the Jeff Williams Plaza.
The ceremony, attended by current and former City Council members, county and hundreds of family members and friends, was held on the lawn of Levitt
Pavilion Arlington facing the plaza. Williams, who has served the Arlington community for more than 30 years, including six as mayor, is the eighth of 11 trailblazers, civic leaders and faith leaders tapped by the City’s Honorary Naming Recognition Task Force to be recognized for their service or their contributions to the city.
Williams’ leadership was critical in keeping the Texas Rangers in Arlington and expanding the Entertainment District, keeping the City’s tourism economy and national reputation as an entertainment destination strong. As a hallmark of his service, Arlington won the national competition to be the home of the National Medal of Honor Museum, set to open in Arlington in 2024.
His plan to create jobs and build tourism in order to keep taxes low and provide better city
services to strengthen our neighborhoods was embraced by the “can do spirit” of the Arlington community. In Williams’ Arlington advanced with 140 new businesses, 6,000 new jobs, and a $5 billion increase in the City’s property tax base.
Williams also led the establishment of the Economic Development Corporation, a perpetual investment in Arlington’s economy, and led the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation in making strategic investments. He also partnered with Downtown Arlington on redevelopment of the Abram Street Corridor, Urban Union, the Downtown Library and the Levitt Pavilion, and led Arlington to be a national leader in transportation and innovation.
Working together and sharing values such as integrity, commitment and patriotism is how
Arlington has been able to successfully compete against other cities across the nation for projects such as the National Medal of Honor Museum,
Williams said. “We have an opportunity for us to take on that responsibility, to be a beacon for the entire nation, to champion these values. To be a place where people can come together and talk about how we can work together to make a difference. We all know that is the key, working together,” Williams said. “Certainly, all of y’all have set that example. Let us continue to do that.”
– Susan Schrock
Photo: City of Arlington
Arlington By the numbers
684
The length, in feet, of the Banzai Pipeline thrill ride at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.
500
The number of acres of open space at the Viridian master-plan community.
Source: viridiandfw.com
170+
The number of specialty stores at the Parks Mall at Arlington (at press-time).
Source: theparksmallarlington.com
150
The number of seats in the UTA Planetarium from which you can gaze at stars.
Source: vacationidea.com
103
The age of the oldest building on the University of Texas at Arlington campus.
Source: uta.edu
Raise your hand if you were a “bleacher creature” when Rusty Greer laid out to make a spectacular catch of a line drive, thus preserving Kenny Rogers’ perfect game on July 28, 1994.
In memoriam: ‘Arlington’s Orthodontist,’ Wick Alexander
Dr. Richard Gerald “Wick” Alexander, a revered Arlington Orthodontist with a heart for altruism, died on April 21. He was 86.
“Dr A” and his wife Janna moved to Arlington in the summer of 1964 and opened a small orthodontic practice; 57 years later, Drs Alexander Orthodontics, has treated more than 20,000 patients and touched countless numbers of lives. Wick’s son, Moody, now heads the practice.
Wick was born in Lubbock on Feb. 25, 1936. He graduated from Amarillo High School and then Texas Tech University, where he played football and met the love of his life, Janna. She became a physical therapist and supported Wick as the University of Texas - Houston Dental Branch.
Wick and Janna joined a young pastor to found Trinity United Methodist Church, which became an integral part of their lives and their family. He also served on the Arlington City Council from 19711977, as well as with local organizations such as Downtown Rotary Club, Big Brothers, YMCA, Arlington Boys Club and United Way.
COMMUNITY RALLIES TO RAISE $32,000+ FOR SISTER CITY’S REFUGEE EFFORTS
The Arlington community recently raised more than $32,000 to aid Ukrainian refugees currently seeking safe haven in Arlington’s long-time German Sister City, Bad Königshofen.
The City of Arlington launched the Sister Cities United: Aid for Ukraine community donation campaign after learning that Bad Königshofen, which is home to fewer than 7,000 residents, had opened its doors to hundreds of people, including approximately 50 violence in their home country of Ukraine.
Local businesses and organizations, city employees and even students, quickly embraced the fundraising effort, making donations ranging from $5 to $5,000, with the help coming from all ages throughout the community.
#atpetofthemonth
This is our wonderful puppy Princeton, who, as this photograph suggests, is as photogenic as he is sweet. – Rachel Scruggs
Image: City of Arlington
Here’s an artist’s rendering of One Rangers Way, the latest pillar of development in the city’s Entertainment District.
The Texas Rangers and The Cordish Companies last month announced details for One Rangers Way, a 300unit upscale residential community in the heart of the Arlington Entertainment District.
One Rangers Way will be located near Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium and AT&T Stadium. The project adds to the nearly $1 billion of new development currently under construction in the Entertainment District that includes the forthcoming Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center and National Medal of Honor Museum, which broke ground on March 25.
Located at Nolan Ryan Expressway adjacent to Choctaw Stadium and the National Medal of Honor Museum, One Rangers Way will celebrate the rich history of the state of Texas and showcase a unique design and curated art collection inspired by the Texas Rangers and America’s favorite pastime.
The 300-unit apartment community, designed by Hord Coplan Macht (HCM), will meet National Green Building Standard® will feature high-end materials and appliances, expansive ceiling heights windows. The building will offer a mix of 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and penthouse apartment homes, as well as a parking garage with 423 spaces.
The City of Arlington dedicated a Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County location last month in memory of Dan Serna, a longtime community volunteer and former Arlington City Council member.
Serna, a resident of Arlington for 35 years,
served on the City Council as District 8 At-Large representative from 19931997 under the leadership of Mayor Richard Greene. Serna is the ninth of 11 trailblazers, civic leaders and faith leaders tapped by the City’s Honorary Naming Recognition Task Force to be recognized for their service or their contributions to the city.
Serna, president and founder of Serna & Company, was well known for his strong work ethic, volunteerism, and service to the City of Arlington and Tarrant County, former Mayor Richard Greene said during the ceremony.
“Let’s just look at all of the organizations Dan was involved with in the community outside of being a City Council member. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA … and the list goes on. Dan was always ready for the next assignment. And how he balanced all of that is the work of someone who was extremely organized, skilled and talented. And it’s an easy conclusion saying our City is better because of him,” Greene said.
Serna attended Texas Tech University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Upon graduating and achieving Accountant license, he settled in Arlington where he founded his CPA practice.
“Dan loved Arlington, he spent almost three decades serving Arlington in various capacities. It all began here at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club,” said his wife, Susan Serna, during the ceremony.
The family of Dan Serna poses outside the Boys & Girls Clubs branch named in his memory.
Photos: City of Arlington
ribbon on the refurnished facility that will bring more water to city residents.
THIS PROJECT IS ALL WET (IN A VERY GOOD WAY)
Othe City of Arlington and the Trinity River Authority of Texas gathered last month to celebrate the completion of a $21 million capital improvement project that will help provide tap water to more than half a million North Texas residents.
The new Lake Arlington Raw Water Pump Station is the result of an innovative partnership between Arlington Water Utilities and TRA, both of which use Lake Arlington as a source of raw water for their water treatment plants. Arlington Water’s Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant supplies water to Arlington’s more than 390,000 residents.
3 SCOOPS
1. If you’re planning a trip to Six Flags Over Texas this month, be sure to check out the new Pirates of Speelunker Cave, an all-new ride experience that opened last month. This state-of-the-art attraction will place guests squarely in the middle of a pirate treasure hunt thwarted by resident Speelunkers. An all-new entry plaza will welcome adventurers with coastal theming and an open vantage Speelunker Cave. Once aboard their six-passenger boat, riders will experience 17 brand-new scenes that combine state-ofthe-art cinematic projection with immersive sets and animatronics.
2. documentary, “The Spirits of Wright House,” won a Gold Level Award at the prestigious 2022 Viddy Awards. Only three other projects received as high a designation as Visit
3. Texas Trust Credit Union has added Fred Trusty to its senior leadership team as Senior Vice President of Marketing, where he will lead Texas Trust to create a has a background in hospitality working for highly acclaimed brands such as Ritz-Carlton and Walt Disney.
