UT Arlington Invests Millions in Downtown Campus

UT Arlington's $78 million Special Events Center will rise on the University's east side, between Second and Third streets east of Pecan Street along Center Street. The Special Events Center will give downtown Arlington a signature venue for world-class concerts, conferences, ceremonies and community events.

The center is expected to open by December 2011 and will accommodate up to 7,600 patrons for a center-stage concert and more than 6,600 for a traditional court-based athletics event. The Special Events Center will offer UT Arlington's basketball and volleyball teams their first true home court, a venue that will move the teams from the Texas Hall stage, where they have played since 1965.

The center is the newest of several key developments along Center Street and UTA Boulevard. The University's 230,000-square-foot Engineering Research Building will open in early 2011. First Baptist Church of Arlington, at 300 S. Center St., underwent a major expansion and renovation in 2006 and the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts opened in October 2008 at Abram and Center streets.

In addition, UT Arlington and the City of Arlington are partnering to develop the Center Street Green, a pedestrian plaza that will connect to the Center Street Trail on the south side of the Special Events Center and College Park, an $80 million, mixed-used development that includes campus residence halls wrapped around an 1,800-vehicle parking garage with street-level retail and office suites and a new campus Welcome Center. College Park is expected to open in summer 2012.

The Vision

The vision for downtown Arlington includes developing a unique identity and brand for the Downtown/University area, separate from other known destinations but related geographically to major generators.  

Downtown Arlington and the University of Texas at Arlington co-exist – inherent in our vision is the opportunity to brand and differentiate this part of Arlington together from other commercial and visitor areas, and to build on its unique strengths.  

Downtown Arlington recruitment efforts will focus on defining a niche for tenants interested in catering to the University audience as well as the 67,000 daytime employees in the area.

A key part of our vision is about making downtown more walkable and attractive, creating an environment that attracts both creativity and investment.

Existing attractions located near I-30 will be enhanced by the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the proposed development that will be adjacent to these major sporting attractions.

While we can certainly benefit from business and visitors generated by major sporting and attraction venues located nearby, our downtown Arlington vision will secure a more year-round, community base of tenants and uses that can set us apart from the “run-of-the-mall” tenant mix that pervades large scale development.

Our Master Plan includes defining key corridors and areas that are most condusive to redevelopment, and providing infrastructure, improvements and an active street life in order to enhance the built environment. 

Making connections along  Abram Street and UTA Boulevard, parallel to the University of Texas at Arlington’s campus edge, will be a fundamental part of our strategy to achieve the vision for the Downtown/University District. 

Strategies also include providing long-range planning and solutions to calm traffic, and assist in addressing urban design and transportation issues associated with rail and automobile traffic.

Revitalization  |  Downtown Arlington Master Plan  |  Work Plan Priorities

Several exciting projects are already underway in downtown Arlington, building investor confidence and community support for more.  The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation will assist and facilitate public/private business leaders in connecting, leveraging and promoting economic development projects in the downtown area.

Incentives for Development and Investment in Downtown Arlington

• Tax Increment Financing (all taxing authorities participate)
• Tax Abatements
• CDBG Grants
• Enterprize Zone

Downtown and Mixed Use Design Standards

• Adopted in October 2005
• Helps shape Downtown’s architectural character - look and feel
• Aid in revitalization of Downtown
• Adds predictability to City development review process
• Encourages high intensity, pedestrian-oriented development

Automated Permitting, Inspections and Registration

The City's regulatory environment has been streamlined by the launch of ArlingtonPermits.com, online services designed to provide builders and contractors with a single point of contact for development resources. Property owners, contractors, engineers and architects have 24-hour web access to apply for permits, check the status and view the results of inspections, and make electronic payments for building fees.

Planning & Zoning Requirements