It鈥檚 a matter of connecting one to the other, especially ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The separation between two areas can leave people confused about what the city has to offer, Ross told a crowd.
鈥淧eople have a misconception that we鈥檙e just entertainment or just downtown or (the international corridor) 鈥� We have it all going on and it鈥檚 going to start to flow together,鈥� Ross says.
Ross and UT Arlington President Jennifer Cowley discussed downtown鈥檚 growth with Maggie Campbell, who heads Downtown Arlington Management Corporation. The non-profit works with the city, businesses and UTA to revitalize the downtown area after
The latest downtown efforts have involved improving walkability and working with nearby neighborhoods, Campbell says.
鈥淟ittle by little, we鈥檙e filling in the gaps in the teeth and it鈥檚 all going to come together,鈥� she says.
Developers have launched several apartment projects downtown. Dodson Commercial Real Estate started construction late last year of 24 loft apartments and a roster of new businesses in its development known as The firm approval for 65 two- and three-bedroom homes along Second Street in September 2021. Main 7, a luxury townhome development, recently advertised luxury townhomes for rent
The projects add to the mid-rise apartments Park Place and 101 Center, both of which have opened in the last several years.
Part of downtown鈥檚 strategy must include lifting nearby neighborhoods, which are among the most disadvantaged census tracts in the city, Ross says. Part of that plan includes creating housing with affordable price ranges and compelling employers to improve wages.
鈥淲e have to create that atmosphere in the downtown area where people can look here and say, 鈥楾his is the place that I can come and make a living. This is a place that has the businesses here,鈥欌�� Ross says.
Cowley says UTA is working on plans to create spaces for students along campus borders and installing more benches and lighting for safety.
鈥淲e鈥檙e certainly focusing on the livability elements, increasing the safety and walkability, adding streetlights, putting benches鈥攖hings like that that can make it easier for students and others to come to our campus and get to downtown,鈥� Cowley says.
Construction is underway on a new combined social work and nursing building on UTA campus, which frees up the old social work building.
鈥淧eople have already been pitching me on some good things that we can bring to that site,鈥� she says.
Ross says teamwork between UTA, downtown officials and the city, as well as relationship-building, will create stronger connections across town ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
鈥淲hat makes a successful downtown is our ability to build and nurture relationships with our residents, with our businesses and with our community,鈥� Ross says.
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