Looking Forward
The City Council’ s five strategic priorities, Champion Great Neighborhoods, Enhance Regional Mobility, Invest in Our Economy, Put Technology to Work and Support Quality Education, remained unchanged for fiscal year 2017. Arlington has made much progress over the past several years in these areas of strategic focus, but there is still work to be done.
As in previous years, significant investments are planned for Public Safety and Information Technology in 2017. The implementation of the body-worn camera program is planned, as an investment in our community and Police Department by increasing the legitimacy and transparency around law enforcement services. Managing and maintaining the organization’ s key software and applications are never-ending efforts; key IT projects include a Microsoft Office Upgrade, software maintenance and numerous department technology projects.
Great neighborhoods contribute to a higher quality of life and greater investment in our economy. In 2017, Code Compliance will continue to focus on code violations in east Arlington by proactively addressing violations and increasing outreach to the community. Community Development and Planning has once again implemented the popular Neighborhood Matching Grant Program. The goal of the program is to provide financial support for residentand community-based programs and activities that foster civic pride, enhance and beautify neighborhoods, and improve neighborhood vitality and participation. The program benefits Arlington by making neighborhoods more attractive, increasing residents’ civic participation, and encouraging collaboration among neighbors, neighborhoods and City government.
Given that our community is largely built out, the City plays an integral role in advancing efforts to redevelop aging properties, as well as directing infrastructure repairs and replacement that will contribute to its sustained economic health and revitalization. Redevelopment of the Downtown core, with the construction of the new Downtown Library and the public / private 101 Center development, remains a key focus in 2017.
Arlington recognizes the importance of providing adequate roadway, bicycle and pedestrian,
and aviation infrastructure to ensure residents and visitors can travel safely and efficiently. Metro Arlington Xpress transportation service will continue offering access between Arlington and the rest of the North Texas region. Several large regional transportation projects, including the I-30 / SH 360 Interchange and the Center Street Bridge over I-20, will also continue into 2017.
A successful community requires a variety of support systems and an environment that enables educational opportunities to flourish. The Library continues to grow its collection to support the needs of the community and more specifically, its youngest users. New for 2017, the Library will also provide a pathway of programs and resources for teens and adults that contribute to the academic and economic vitality of Arlington by supporting college exploration, career and workforce skills development, and small business. The Police and Fire departments will also continue hometown recruiting programs and the AISD Fire Academy in 2017. By providing job-based vocational training, these programs support the community’ s youth and strengthen future candidate pools.
Looking forward to fiscal year 2017 and beyond, the City of Arlington is poised to achieve great things, to realize the goal of being a live, learn, work and play city – a true American Dream City.
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