Inaugural Homeownership Fair a Success
With quality schools, great parks and other amenities, The American Dream City is an ideal place to own a home. Scores of prospective homebuyers attended the City of Arlington’ s inaugural Homeownership Fair in June 2016 to find out how they could realize that dream.
Participants attended sessions on topics such as mortgage lending, affordable housing programs, city home repair programs and more at the fair, which aimed to help citizens navigate the sometimes arduous process of purchasing a home. Potential homebuyers also networked with mortgage lenders, real estate agents, housing specialists and city personnel.
Significant Renovations Planned for Deaver Park
Design work began for significant renovations to Deaver Park, a 15.2-acre neighborhood park in south Arlington.
The 20-year-old park, east of Sublett Road and U. S. 287, is set for a major overhaul, including new playground equipment with shade structures, new trails and a rebuilt pond overlook.
The Arlington City Council approved a design contract for the park’ s renovations for up to $ 100,200 in June. The funding for the project, which will be designed with resident input, was provided by the 2014 bond election.
City’ s New Block Party Trailer Helps Neighborhoods Get Party Started
Neighbors who know one another tend to look out for each other. That’ s one reason the City unveiled a new Block Party Trailer, which can be reserved for free by registered neighborhoods. It comes packed with tables and chairs, ice chests, barricades to block off the street and even games for kids to play.
The Block Party Trailer is a component of the City’ s Neighborhood Program, which provides resources to neighborhoods to improve their communities.
Neighborhood Matching Grant Program Returns
In January 2016, Arlington brought back its Neighborhood Matching Grant Program, which provides funding for improvement projects to beautify and enhance public spaces in neighborhoods.
The goal of the program is to provide financial support for resident- and community-based programs and activities that foster civic pride, enhance and beautify neighborhoods, and improve neighborhood vitality and participation. The program aims to make neighborhoods more attractive, raise the level of community pride and encourage the collaboration of neighbors, neighborhoods and City government.
Projects eligible for funding include public art, beautification, landscaping, sidewalks, traffic calming and neighborhood entrance signs.
Other Neighborhood News
• The Arlington Museum of Art unveiled“ The Star of Texas” project, which distributed 20 new pieces of public art throughout the City.
• Residents celebrated the addition of a new park in southwest Arlington in September. Martha Walker Park, a 13-acre, heavily wooded park at 7509 Sharon Lee Drive, features playground and fitness equipment, hike and bike trails and other amenities. The project was largely paid with park fees.
• The DREAM sculpture made its debut in Downtown Arlington.
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