FY 2013 Popular Annual Financial Report FY 2013 Popular Annual Financial Report | Page 23

Looking Forward

F

Y 2013 was a busy and
productive year for the City
of Arlington. Much was
accomplished in order to enhance the
quality of life in Arlington, and many
more projects are currently under
way. With that in mind, for FY 2014
the City Council readopted the same
four planning priorities: Building a
Thriving Community, Supporting
Quality Education, Enhancing
Regional Mobility and Defining an
Identifiable Brand. Continuing to
emphasize these priorities leverages
the momentum gained in FY 2013 and
propels Arlington toward its future of
being a pre-eminent city providing an
exemplary, safe environment in which
to live, learn, work and play.
Continuing to promote economic
development opportunities within the
City of Arlington is integral to Building
a Thriving Community. In addition
to providing the amenities and venues
our residents, businesses and visitors
desire, economic development also
plays a role in the financial viability of
the City. The City will initiate a citywide comprehensive planning effort
to update the previous plan adopted
in 1992. The new plan will provide
an integrated approach to all aspects
of Arlington’s development, with an
emphasis on developing attractive
neighborhoods for all residents; having
environmental, economic and social
sustainability; and, enhancing land use
and transportation coordination.
Transportation is another
key priority for Arlington’s future.
Enhancing Regional Mobility focuses
on exploring creative, alternative
transportation opportunities, as
well as planning, managing and
maintaining the public transportation
infrastructure. The pilot program
connecting downtown Arlington to the
TRE was launched in FY 2013 and

will continue throughout next year.
Several large regional transportation
projects, including the IH-30 and SH360 Interchange and the South Center
Street Bridge, will complete design
and/or begin construction within the
next year. The completion of these
projects will have an enormous impact
on Arlington and the entire region.
The City of Arlington realizes it
takes more than a strong school district
in Supporting Quality Education.
It takes an entire community. The
Libraries and Parks & Recreation
departments are expanding their
programming to attract more youth
participation. The popular robotics
program will expand this year, as will
Reading Corps programming with
local daycares and elementary schools.
The City will also launch several new
internship programs to provide “reallife” work experience to high school
and college-age students.
Building an engaged community

is a key component of Defining an
Identifiable Brand. In addition to
finalizing the yearlong project on
creating the City’s brand, this Council
priority is also about developing a sense
of place and promoting community
engagement. In the fall, the Parks &
Recreation Department will unveil the
next sculpture in the sculpture trail in
the Richard Greene and Robert Cluck
linear parks highlighting what is special
about Arlington. This sense of place
and an engaged, welcoming community
are characteristics Arlington’s new
brand will attempt to capture.
Continuing on the same strategic
path provides direction and continuity
as we move toward the next year. The
City’s steady leadership, strong financial
management and engaged workforce
have positioned Arlington to exceed
expectations in the services it provides
and to create a community of which we
can all be proud.

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