HIGHLIGHTS
Arlington Celebrates Completion of Abram Street , City ’ s Largest Street Rebuild Project ( Continued from Page 1 )
“ And this project was a team effort all the way . Arlington is always stronger when we work together … and this project is a terrific example of what we can accomplish as a community when we dream big and buy into the same vision .”
Those who visit Downtown for concerts , festivals and other gatherings will be able to enjoy the new public plaza created on Abram Street between City Hall and Founders Plaza , a public park that is also home to Levitt Pavilion Arlington . Retractable bollards have been installed so that the City can temporarily close Abram between Center and Pecan Streets to vehicle traffic and create a pedestrian friendly gathering space . Dr . Ignacio Nuñez serves as the City Council representative for District 5 , which includes Arlington landmarks such as the Downtown Cultural Arts District , The University of Texas at Arlington and General Motors . The Abram Street Rebuild runs through the northern portion of Dr . Nuñez ’ s council district .
“ This area will be our town square and Abram the corridor that draws all of us into it . This corridor and Downtown and the Levitt Pavilion and City Hall — this is the beating heart of Arlington ,” Dr . Nuñez said . “ It is vibrant , it is culturally strong , and it is economically sound .”
The City and the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation collaborated throughout the two-year project to keep residents , drivers and Downtown businesses updated and to answer concerns about construction impacts . The MyAbram campaign included updates on the City ’ s Abram Street Rebuild website and social media , the DAMC ’ s website and social media , and in-person meetings with businesses and other stakeholders . MyArlingtonTV also launched the Downtown Arlington : Open for Business video marketing project , which highlighted 15 businesses in the construction zone and encouraged customers to keep supporting their favorite restaurants , shops , and service providers .
Maggie Campbell , president and CEO of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation , and her team were instrumental in helping the City keep Downtown businesses and visitors informed about the progress of the transformative Abram Street Rebuild . Throughout this vital rebuild , the corporation hosted regular meetings so that all Downtown businesses , property owners and stakeholders could ask questions , share their concerns , and celebrate project milestones .
“ This shared vision for a walkable , vibrant downtown neighborhood that can be everyone ’ s neighborhood is slowly being realized , slowly but surely ,” Campbell said . “ This partnership is due in large part to the strong continued support of our partners , the City of Arlington and The University of Texas at Arlington .”
These improvements are being noticed far beyond the borders of The American Dream City . Recently , the Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association named the Abram Street Rebuild in Downtown as its 2020 Transportation Project of the Year in the $ 25 million to $ 75 million category .
This award is given to projects that demonstrate good construction management techniques , awareness of the need for a good overall safety program during construction , means of improving relations between the department and the public , environmental awareness , and the ability to overcome unusual adverse conditions .
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