City of Arlington Designates “Senator Kim Brimer Bridge” in Heart of Entertainment District

By Office of Communication

Posted on May 10, 2024, May 10, 2024

The City of Arlington lit up its newly designated “Senator Kim Brimer Bridge” in red, white and blue shining lights during an honorary naming ceremony Thursday evening.

The City received a community request in November 2023 to consider recognizing Brimer, who served as the senator for the Arlington area from 2003-2009 after seven terms in the Texas House of Representatives from 1989-2003. In January, the Arlington City Council selected a bridge in the heart of the Entertainment District to designate in Brimer’s honor, the Nolan Ryan Expressway bridge that crosses the Mark Holtz Lake. Brimer and his family attended the City’s dedication ceremony on May 9, 2024, at the Esports Stadium Arlington.

“Thank you Senator Brimer for everything that you have done for this community and this city; for being a catalyst to the things that we see all around us, AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium. You and Mayor Greene are an amazing duo,” Mayor Jim Ross said. “The lighting on the bridge will signify every important event for the City, from World Championships to hometown celebrations, and it’s very fitting to be named after you.”

Among Brimer’s signature achievements was legislation that allowed the City of Arlington to use a portion of the sales tax revenue for sports and recreation facility debt with voter authorization, enabling the construction of the Ballpark in Arlington, which opened in 1994 and allowed the Texas Rangers to stay in Arlington. Subsequently, his continued ability to craft similar legislation led to the Sports and Community Venues statute, Chapter 334 of the Texas Local Government Code, otherwise known as the “Brimer Bill.” That statute allowed Arlington voters the opportunity to consider support for the creation of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field. Brimer’s legislative leadership gave communities across the state the opportunity to create economic generators to assist in building communities and providing future funds for public services.

“When they told me that they wanted to name this bridge after me, I was so overwhelmed I almost fell off the bridge and into the lake,” former State Senator Kim Brimer joked. “It’s an honor to be next to the future National Medal of Honor Museum, and next to the park named after my dear friend, Richard Greene. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next, let’s just keep dreaming.”

The bridge is located near the intersection of Nolan Ryan Expressway and AT&T Way, near the Unity Arch, Choctaw Stadium, the Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center, and the National Medal of Honor Museum that will open in March 2025. The bridge features uplighting and decorative multicolored LED lighting that can be programmed for holidays and special events, making it a signature feature of the Entertainment District.

This honorary designation does not change the name of any portion of Nolan Ryan Expressway.