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The city of Arlington and the Texas Rangers have joined forces for a significant overhaul of Choctaw Stadium, marking a multimillion-dollar renovation aimed at revitalizing the ballpark’s exterior.
On Tuesday night, the Arlington city council greenlit the project, which entails the construction of a variety of new shops and restaurants around the perimeter of the stadium.
In recent times, the Arlington Entertainment District has undergone a $3.9 billion transformation, welcoming new ballparks, hotels, and residential complexes to the vicinity.
Nestled amidst this development is Choctaw Stadium, which once hosted fervent Texas Rangers fans during summer games.
Reflecting on past experiences, Gigi Martinez remarked, “Great games. It was super hot though, I’m actually glad that we switched up to the new one, to be honest.”
The team relocated to Globe Life Field in 2020, prompting the initiative to revitalize Choctaw Stadium.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “We’re coming in and repurposing this stadium so that people can continue to enjoy the stadium by enjoying restaurants, and retail, and everything like that.”
Under the approved agreement, the Texas Rangers will integrate 6,000 square feet of commercial space into the stadium’s exterior, alongside new facilities for the police and fire departments to enhance public safety measures.
The city is allocating $4.2 million towards the endeavor to enhance the district’s offerings for visitors.
Looking ahead, the development is poised to coincide with major events in the area:
– In 2026, AT&T Stadium will host nine FIFA World Cup matches.
– Four years later, the stadium will host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.
The decision on Tuesday will also result in the creation of at least 200 additional parking spaces, with plans for further parking infrastructure to accommodate the influx of visitors expected for these events.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross conveyed excitement about the forthcoming developments, emphasizing the city’s readiness for such endeavors.
Reacting to the news, some Rangers fans expressed anticipation for the enhanced gameday experience.
“The World Cup is coming too,” Martinez noted. “And we’re going to have a lot of people from all over the states and it’s going to be pretty awesome for this new thing coming up.”
While the Rangers did not disclose their financial commitment to the project, construction is anticipated to commence post the MLB All-Star Game scheduled at Globe Life Field in July.