I was born in Arlington but grew up in the neighboring town of Mansfield. Arlington was always the big city next door; in many ways, it still is. I moved to Arlington in 2007, and I’m proud to live here. One could live, work, and play here, and many do. Arlington is a vibrant community, and its motto, “The American Dream City,” is often embodied in our collective can-do spirit.
The American Dream City
Arlington is growing and changing. We should believe that the growth is positive, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. Sometimes, though, the endless construction and traffic snarls feel like too much. Arlington should balance preservation and progress more while continuing to carve out its identity. Yet, a city that stands still will begin to die, and once it’s dying, revitalization is tough.
I recently thought about what I would like to see in Arlington. Most of this is a personal wish list, but some would benefit the city, residents, and visitors. It’s more than better roads, safer streets, fewer unhoused, lower taxes, or proper education—we all want those things. These things go above and beyond the necessities to showcase the best we have to offer.
Now, it’s possible that a few of these things already exist in some form, and I’m unaware of them. I also realize I could become an entrepreneur and develop some of these myself. But for now, these are my dreams for the American Dream City.
Arlington: The American Dream City
Botanical Garden
For some reason, the first thing that came to mind was a botanical garden. Although filled with cement and cul-de-sacs, Arlington also has nearly 100 parks. They range in size, with the sprawling River Legacy Parks serving as the crown jewel. Our well-kept parks offer beautiful green spaces, relaxation, recreation, and amenities. Still, they’re different from a botanical garden. I imagine one with pastoral views, lush vegetation, regional plants, and towering trees. A greenhouse would also be a nice touch. Would turning an existing park into a botanical garden be difficult? I have no idea, but it seems possible.
International Food Hall
One could eat around the world and not leave Arlington, which might surprise people. Indeed, Arlington has a thriving food scene with many culinary offerings. Arlington is diverse, with about 20% of our population born in a different country. Many of those folks infuse their recipes and traditions into our local restaurants. Our International Corridor has many dining options, yet we can take it further. I’d love to see an International Food Market or Food Hall with a collection of world cuisines under one roof. No chain restaurants; this is for local eateries only. It could have food stalls, a farmer’s market, a Mercado or bazaar, stages, and other amenities. A food hall could enrich our culinary landscape and boost the local economy.
International Corridor recognition
The area on Pioneer Parkway—west of Center Street, to and into Grand Prairie—is known as the International Corridor. It has many family-owned Hispanic and Vietnamese restaurants. Many people know the area but are unfamiliar with its name. The recent addition of welcoming banners in various languages is a start, but it needs more signage and more local advocates. The Ben Thanh Plaza is well-known, yet there are dozens of restaurants, markets, shops, small businesses, and other amenities. It keeps growing and getting better. It could be a suitable location for the International Food Hall, a museum, or a cultural center. Whether born here or elsewhere, their history, heritage, and culture deserve recognition.
Jazz Club
Arlington used to have more live music venues, but the number has dwindled to only a handful. Some bars or restaurants have a small stage, and others have occasional live music on the patio. Still, these are different from a music venue. During the day, the jazz club could function as a restaurant and museum or at least have a space for exhibits or artwork. In the evening, though, it would be a music venue featuring local jazz artists. I don’t need a speakeasy atmosphere, overpriced trendy cocktails, or a strict dress code. I envision a cozy place to hear live jazz music by local artists in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Jazz is missing from Arlington’s music scene, likely because there isn’t a venue to showcase it.
“20 Below” recognition
I live south of I-20 in Arlington, an area that I’ve dubbed “20 Below”—as in below, or south, of I-20. The name hasn’t caught on yet; someday it will. 20 Below is primarily a residential area, yet it has a growing number of restaurants, shops, and recreation options. While the Entertainment District, Downtown, and the College District are popular, where’s the love for South Arlington? I want the people living in this area to realize we have some great things to offer. You don’t have to drive across town for a meal or fun—it can be (and is) in our neighborhood.
Pantera recognition
Pantera may be the most famous export from Arlington. They dominated metal music in the 1990s, and their influence is still felt today. With millions of albums sold and fans worldwide, their impact is undeniable. We need a statue or mural to honor them, especially of brothers Dimebag Darrell (1966-2004) and Vinnie Paul (1964-2018.) A mural of Dimebag recently popped up in Downtown Arlington; we can do more.
Heritage tourism
Local history and preservation efforts are meaningful to many people. Yet heritage tourism—promoting historic or cultural places to entice visitors—hasn’t caught on much in North Texas. What’s stopping us? It’s many things, including, but not limited to, finances, logistics, and interest. Indeed, those are real roadblocks with real limitations. Of this list, this is one I could possibly do something about, and I’ve been thinking about ways to get involved. Stay tuned.
Conclusion
Well, a man can dream, can’t he? Are these ideas for the betterment of the community, or am I being selfish? It’s hard to say. Nonetheless, everything in this city was someone’s dream before it became a reality. As Arlington approaches its 150th anniversary, we should look towards the future. Let’s dream big. “The American Dream City” sometimes feels like a cheesy marketing slogan, but let’s not be cynical. Arlington has come a long way since its early days and has embodied the American Dream spirit. What could have been “just another town” has become an attractive place to live and a unique destination to visit. The big city next door keeps getting bigger and better. What would you like to see in Arlington?
Blog post & photo by Jason S. Sullivan, 06-27-24
Jason S. Sullivan 