A new six-week podcast is being launched this week by Downtown Arlington. It is the latest in a number of new initiatives launched since the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) crisis began to impact the businesses, restaurants, educational and arts institutions within this official State of Texas cultural district.

The free podcast, entitled Downtown Arlington Roots, engages leaders, experts, artists and innovators in thought-provoking conversations about the district’s fascinating past and hopes for the future. More than just a history lesson, the podcast focuses on the ingenuity, creativity, and hometown pride that has driven the nearly 150-year development of Downtown Arlington.

The full audio-visual experience will air on Downtown Arlington’s Facebook Live and Youtube Channel at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2020. Listeners can also tune in to the audio-only podcast format via Spotify and iTunes.

Maggie Campbell, president and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC), will serve as host for the series.

“As communities continue to maintain social distancing practices,” said Campbell, “it is critical to seek other kinds of meaningful connections, particularly between generations. History reminds us that we’ve got what it takes to face adversity head on. What better time than now to both celebrate the resilience of Downtown and strengthen our community bonds through the sharing of those stories?” 

New, one-hour episodes of the podcast will be released each Thursday. The line-up includes:

• April 23 at 4 p.m.: Uprooted: The Stories of the Texas Rangers with John Blake, executive vice president of the Texas Rangers, and Parker Vandergriff as they reminisce about how the Texas Rangers came to Arlington and the stories behind all three ballparks.

• April 30 at 4 p.m.: Puttin’ Down Roots, the stories of early Arlington with writer and historian O.K. Carter and Geraldine Mills, executive director of the Arlington Historical Society.

• May 7 at 4 p.m.: Rooted in Creativity: The traditions of live music, arts and culture in Downtown Arlington with executive director at The Levitt Pavilion Arlington, Letatia Teykl, Dance Theater Arlington artistic director, Persis Anne Forster, of Miss Persis Studio of Dance Studio, and owner of 3DI Signs + Design, Paul Fulks.

Future episodes will spotlight the Roots of Revitalization in Downtown; Rerooting: The Origins of Innovation and Reinvention; and Rootin’ For Each Other: Downtown’s Long-standing Commitment to Kindness and Community Service.

In addition to Downtown Arlington Roots, DAMC has launched several other initiatives aimed to support its community through the extreme but necessary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Downtown Delivers: Downtown Delivers is an online platform for Downtown Arlington bar and restaurant owners to quickly communicate their current operating models, including to-go ordering, curbside pick-up, and/or delivery. downtownarlington.org/visit/downtown-delivers

• Stronger Together: DAMC communicates real-time COVID-19 information via its website clearinghouse, social media, weekly executive briefs, and co-promotion of resources produced by local entities including the City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and others. downtownarlington.org/covid-19

• #WFHTips: Through the Downtown Arlington Facebook page, the public is invited to submit short, lighthearted videos for maintaining work-life balance while working from home. Weekly winners receive a $20 gift card. Use #WFHTips. facebook.com/DowntownArlingtonTexas

• Spreading Kindness: In support of the City of Arlington Kindness Initiative, Downtown Arlington is actively promoting acts of kindness shared throughout the district by individuals, arts institutions, and businesses. Examples can be found at downtownarlington.org/stories. 

“From the beginning of this crisis,” said Campbell, “we’ve been working tirelessly to keep Downtown Arlington top of mind as source of roll-up-your-sleeves tenacity, innovation, and especially hope.”