Improvements on the Horizon for City of Arlington

Last fall, Arlington voters approved $236 million worth of improvements to streets and roadways, libraries, parks and fire facilities.

Work will begin this year on that project list, which includes four major categories and represents all areas of the City. The bond package was the largest in Arlington's history and it will not increase property taxes.

City officials said the to-do list includes expanding, replacing or updating both buildings and infrastructure which are important to keeping Arlington vital.

"It's like a family who owns a home and makes repairs to protect that asset,' said Jim Parajon, deputy city manager for economic development and capital investment. "This is a systematic investment in our business operations. It's one of the most important things we do.'

Some projects in the bond package will begin design and construction this year. The entire bond package is scheduled to be completed over five years.

Parajon said the City and the citizen bond committee took a balanced approach in crafting the projects list.

"We haven't focused on parks versus streets,' he said. "Everything that we've asked for was a strong, projected need. The priorities reflect the citizenry.'

Parajon said various areas throughout the City have required continuing redevelopment and parts of Arlington.sectors in the northern and southern areas.still are growing.

Several Parks and Recreation and Public Works and Transportation projects funded by the new bond are scheduled to get underway in 2015.

Design plans for renovations at Ditto Golf Course and Brantley Hinshaw, Bob Findlay Linear and Helen Wessler parks are expected to start this year. Designs for the Rush Creek dog park and the recreation center potion of the Hugh Smith Recreation Center/East Library rebuild also are slated for 2015.

Major new public works projects expected to begin include rebuilding deteriorated residential streets, improving connections to the future State Highway 360 expansion and a new u-turn from the westbound Interstate 20 frontage road to the eastbound Interstate 20 frontage road at Bowen Road.

Here is an overview of some of the projects scheduled throughout the 2014 bond program:

Public Works & Transportation: $160.1 million

• Reconstruction of residential streets throughout the City
• Improvements to sidewalks, gutters and underground drainage in targeted areas
• Reconstruction of several major roadways throughout the City
• Realign New York/Eden intersection; add connection north of Webb Lynn Road

Parks & Recreation: $60 million

• Construction of new recreation center in southeast Arlington
• Rebuild Hugh Smith Recreation Center and integrate with new East Library
• Install lighted soccer fields, concessions, restrooms and parking lots at Harold Patterson Sports Center
• Renovations at several City of Arlington parks
• Complete priority renovations at Ditto Golf Course
• Acquisition of park land in highest priority service gap areas

Fire Department: $9.8 million

• Rebuild of Station 1 downtown
• Fire Training Center remodel

Libraries: $6.1 million

• Woodland West remodel
• Library portion of Hugh Smith Recreation Center/East Library