As we close out 2022, we're looking back at some of the biggest stories that shaped the year. From the groundbreaking of the future National Medal of Honor Museum to the announcement of XFL’s return to Choctaw Stadium, here are a just a few of Arlington’s top stories.

XFL’s Arlington Renegades to Play at Choctaw Stadium

Earlier this year, the XFL selected Arlington and Choctaw Stadium as its new football operations Hub for the league’s eight teams. The Arlington Renegades, led by Head Coach Bob Stoops, will be the newest professional sports team to play in The American Dream City when the XFL’s season kicks off Feb. 18, 2023.

Texas Rangers Celebrate 50th Anniversary

While it celebrated its newest professional sports franchise, the City of Arlington also spent 2022 honoring its longtime partnership with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers hosted a series of events throughout the season to honor the team’s 50th anniversary here. The City of Arlington, in partnership with the Rangers, created a five-part docuseries, “Journey to Baseball Town,” to share the story of how the team ended up in The American Dream City under the leadership of Mayor Tom Vandergriff. Major League Baseball came to Arlington in the spring of 1972, with the Rangers’ inaugural game at Arlington Stadium taking place April 21 with a 7-6 win over the Angels.

National Medal of Honor Museum Breaks Ground

Not far from Choctaw Stadium, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation broke ground in March on its future home in Arlington. The one-of-a-kind museum, which will open in 2024, will recognize the 3,511 servicemembers who have received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for valor in combat as well as all who they served alongside. The groundbreaking was attended in person by 15 Medal of Honor recipients who earned their Medals during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

City Council Approves $160.4 Million Capital Budget

In February, the City Council approved a $160.4 million Capital Budget for this fiscal year. This includes funding to build the voter-approved Active Adult Center, which the City is set to break ground on in early January. Other capital improvement projects include numerous streets, sidewalks, traffic signals and intersections across the city, as well as for select parks and trails. The City will also begin work on projects such as the design to rebuild Fire Station No. 8 in north Arlington, construction of a new, larger police evidence storage facility and making improvements to the Arlington Municipal Airport. Planned water utilities and storm water projects include water and sanitary sewer main replacements, improvements to the Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant and strategic efforts to reduce neighborhood flooding.

Business Development Across the City

Throughout the year, Arlington celebrated the announcements and grand openings of businesses large and small. These included family-owned Canales Furniture opening its headquarters and newest store and distribution center on Interstate 20, the opening of Look Dine-in Cinema, the expansion of P&H Casters and Bowery Farming announcing that it would build an indoor smart farm in 2023. In Downtown, Ann’s Natural Grocery & Nutrition opened in 101 Center and a Taste Project Community Restaurant was announced for 2024. In the Entertainment District, Spark Coworking was announced as a major anchor for Choctaw Stadium, construction began on the luxury residential community One Rangers Way and Trademark announced a $150 million planned investment in Lincoln Square. Additionally, Loews Hotels & Co celebrated a major construction milestone for the new $550 million Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center. This 888-room hotel, set to open in early 2024, will be located across from Live! by Loews, and will feature the signature restaurant, Soy Cowboy.

Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium, AT&T Stadium Continues to Shine in National Spotlight

AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium hosted numerous high-profile events during the year, including WrestleMania 38, Lockheed Martin Commanders’ Classic, The American Rodeo, State Farm College Basketball Showdown, the Bout at the Ballpark wrestling showcase. The Dallas Jackals, a Major League Rugby team, also hosted its first season at Choctaw Stadium. Concerts and sporting events announced for the Arlington venues in 2023 and beyond include Taylor Swift, Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks, Pink, Metallica, the 2026 World Cup, 2024 All-Star Game and the 2030 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

Arlington’s Via Rideshare Transportation Service Expands Again

In November, the Arlington City Council voted to continue the citywide Via on-demand, rideshare public transportation service. As part of the newly approved contract, Via riders will be able to get to and from the Trinity Metro bus stop located on Eastchase Parkway in Fort Worth starting in January. This will allow passengers to connect with key destinations in this section of far east Fort Worth or other Trinity Metro bus routes.
Since its launch in December 2017, Via Rideshare customers have taken more than 1.5 million trips around The American Dream City to dine out or shop, get to school or work, or attend other daily appointments. Click here to read more.

Construction Begins on More Modern Fire Station No. 1

The new two-story, 17,667-square-foot station will replace the previous Fire Station No. 1, which originally opened in 1954 and had gone through various remodels over the decades. The future Downtown facility, set to open next year, is designed to provide a better work and living space for Arlington’s firefighters. Arlington voters approved funding to rebuild Fire Station No. 1, which was the City’s oldest fire station, as part of the 2014 Bond Program. Features will include five larger, drive-thru apparatus bays that can hold more equipment, training areas and indoor and outdoor kennels for the Fire Department’s K9 Unit, a full kitchen and a dining room, and various offices. The station will also include a public space for community events and meetings as well as a museum area where residents can learn about the Arlington Fire Department’s history and accomplishments and see historical items up close, such as an antique fire truck.

Arlington Community Raises $32,000 to Aid Ukrainian Refugees

Earlier this year, the Arlington community joined together to raise 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 children, who fled violence in their home country of Ukraine. The Arlington community, including local businesses and organizations, city employees and even students, quickly embraced the fundraising effort, making donations ranging from $5 to $5,000.

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Celebrates 15 Years of Giving

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. Since 2007, the charitable endowment has awarded more than 500 grants totaling $42 million to local nonprofits and City of Arlington departments who work each day to make Arlington vibrant and strong through educational and recreational opportunities, arts and culture, and social services. This includes a combined $5 million for the National Medal of Honor Museum.