Stronger Together through Fellowship: Weekly Message from Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of DAMC

On the Road Again (and We Can’t Wait!)  

In Downtown Arlington, creating opportunities to bring people together is music to our ears. As we’ve been looking ahead to the fall, the time we traditionally host our Annual Meeting, we turned to a great philosopher for inspiration:

On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again

Thanks to Willie, the theme for the 2020 Downtown Arlington Annual Meeting is On the Road Again, a double entendre alluding to the resiliency of our community in the face of COVID-19 and the completion of Abram Street’s revitalization. The date of the event is set for Thursday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m., and we’ll be streaming it live through Downtown Facebook Live.

Because 2020 is the year of Plan B, we’re completely reimagining this annual event. With Mayor Williams as our co-host, the format will be abbreviated and focus on the fellowship of people and places that have been lifting us up since the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic. We’ll honor this year’s winners of our Legendary Lionheart Award, Golden Lantern Award, and the Dream Builder Award. And we’re offering the event for free. Please save the date!

News Briefs  

In the HeART of Downtown: With COVID-19 precautions in place, the Arlington Museum of Art reopened on July 18 with an exhibition by celebrated painter, sculptor and muralist Knox Martin.

Maverick Country: As more employees return to campus this summer, The University of Texas at Arlington is on track to offer Fall 2020 classes in three modalities: on-campus, online only and blended. 

Working on the Railroad: Union Pacific Railroad will be replacing ties on its track through Arlington from Wednesday, July 22 – Tuesday, July 28. The work will move from east to west, prompting day-long road closures at crossings throughout the City. In Downtown, West Street offers drivers smooth sailing into Downtown and right by local favorites like Theatre Arlington and The Man’s Shop.

Cover Up: Tarrant County Public Health advises residents to take extra care as cases of West Nile Virus are increasing rapidly across the county and particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Tune in: The Levitt Living Room Series, sponsored by Downtown Arlington, continues Tuesday, July 28 at 8:00 p.m. in partnership with Legal Draft Beer Co. The online event features a song swap with Aaron Copeland and Steve Helms streamed on Levitt Facebook Live.

Play Ball: Our Texas Rangers kick off their abbreviated season tomorrow, July 24 against the Colorado Rockies in an empty Globe Life Field. Since we’ll be root, root, rooting for our home team from home for the time being, let’s stock up on our favorite hometown flavors by consulting the Downtown Delivers platform! There you’ll find our comprehensive guide to Downtown bar and restaurant partners offering takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery options plus outdoor dining, dog friendly patios, gift cards, and other great services.

Summer Love: Summer always brings with it a slightly slower pace in Downtown Arlington because so many families head elsewhere on vacation and UTA enrollment dips slightly. In the midst of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, however, our natural summertime lull could turn into the last straw for some of our businesses. We urgently need you to share your love of authentic, homegrown small business by utilizing Downtown Delivers and patronizing your favorite restaurants, bars, shops, cultural and entertainment destinations RIGHT NOW. Your love and support this summer will help them make it to fall.