Improvements may be in the works for Arlington's entertainment district, home to the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Texas Live!. and the recently opened Loews Hotel.
The City Council on April 23 is scheduled to consider a resolution to renovate Choctaw Stadium, the former Rangers stadium currently used for concerts and office space. The team moved to Globe Life Field in 2020. The resolution also includes parking improvements, parking rights at the National Medal of Honor Museum, and security improvements in and around Choctaw Stadium.
The construction comes as the district looks forward to a new museum and Sheraton hotel, as well as Globe Life Field hosting the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. AT&T Stadium has also been selected as the venue for his nine games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2030 NCAA Final Four.
According to a staff report, the Rangers want to make fuller use of the Choctaw road frontage in the renovation work. The team has already spent $7.8 million on retail development on the west side.
In exchange for the Rangers' investment and parking rights, Arlington will pay more than $4.2 million to cover construction work.
The agreement calls for the Rangers to renovate approximately 6,000 square feet of land in Choctaw into new leasable commercial space, along with valet parking lanes along the Nolan Ryan Expressway.
Choctaw's renovations span 1,500 square feet of the Arlington Police Department outpost on Randall Mill Road, plus another 1,500 square feet to temporarily house Fire Station No. 8.
At the same time, the city aims to increase its public safety presence in the entertainment district, in addition to addressing the parking needs of the National Medal of Honor Museum and improving parking at Center Parc. The effort is part of the All-Star Game Legacy Project, according to a staff report.
While the Rangers will be responsible for improving parking at Center Parcs, they will also provide 200 overflow parking spaces for use by Medal of Honor patrons.
The city's contract will be with Rangers Baseball Express, LLC, 6K Stadium, LLC, Rangers Baseball Real Estate, LLC, and Rangers Stadium Company.
Agenda items are recommended for approval.
