Stronger Together Through Kinship: Weekly Message from Maggie Campbell, President and CEO of DAMC

Much like the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had a lot to process this week. Contrasting voices are rising around the economic realities of social distancing just as science warns against deviation from the course. Legislators grapple with the data and the data gaps. In the meantime, within each of our homes, hospitals and businesses, we grow in our enlightenment and restlessness.

Here in Arlington and particularly in Downtown, we’re so fortunate to have a critical tool that will help us build what’s next. We have ties that bind us, a special kinship that comes in part from our collective history. It serves as a reminder to every generation 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?

That’s why this Thursday, DAMC is launching a new podcast entitled Downtown Arlington Roots. More than just a history lesson, the six-week series focuses on the ingenuity, creativity, and hometown pride that has driven the nearly 150-year development of Downtown.

New one-hour episodes of the podcast will be released each Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Find it anywhere you listen to podcasts, including iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and Downtown Arlington Facebook Live.

The line-up includes:

• April 23: Uprooted: The Stories of the Texas Rangers with John Blake, executive vice president of the Texas Rangers, and Parker Vandergriff, grandson of Mayor Tom Vandergriff, as they reminisce about how the Texas Rangers came to town and the stories behind all three ballparks
• April 30: 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: Rooted in Creativity: The traditions of live music, arts and culture in Downtown Arlington
• 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

I hope you’ll join us as I engage Arlington leaders, experts, artists and innovators in thought-provoking conversations about the district’s fascinating past and hopes for the future.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Governor Abbott Outlines Plan to Reopen Texas Economy

On Friday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott began to outline the initial steps for reopening the state’s economy, including several executive orders that go into effect this week. One order permits retail stores to provide product pickups similar to restaurants’ curb-side service.

This is good news for several Downtown Arlington retailers, including The Man’s Shop, Collected Treasures and Wildfire and Lace. Similarly, the Arlington Public Library recently announced curbside pick-up for books and other materials at all locations, including the Downtown Library.

We ask that, as you are able, you continue to support all local businesses who are responding as quickly as they can to continue to serve their customers, patrons and clients. Find all the latest information about curbside pick-up, drive-through and/or delivery services in Downtown through our Downtown Delivers platform.

DAMC remains diligent in our efforts to stay on top of information and resources available to business, non-profit and cultural arts institutions, and our stakeholders. You can find that updated listing our COVID-19 webpage at downtownarlington.org/covid-19. 

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Update 

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a $484 billion coronavirus stimulus bill that includes a provision allocating about $370 billion for Small Business Administration loan programs. It will go to the House next and is expected to pass this week. About $310 billion of the funds will replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which offers forgivable loans, and about $60 billion to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which provides disaster assistance loans and grants.

In order to get a PPP loan, small business owners must apply through a financial institution, which then submits the application to the SBA. Small business owners should prepare now for the resumption of the Paycheck Protection Program by getting their paperwork to their lenders as soon as possible.

MAY 5: A SPECIAL NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY 

No matter what happens in the world around us, our greatest asset is each other. Downtown Arlington’s nonprofit organizations have been lovingly serving our community for decades, but in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are struggling to fulfill their mission. Can you help?

In concert with the Communities Foundation of Texas, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and many others have teamed up to host a special North Texas Giving Tuesday Now. You can give directly to the Downtown nonprofit of your choice through the North Texas Giving Day website on Tuesday, May 5 from 6:00 a.m. until midnight, or you can make a pledge now.

WATCH PARTY: LEVITT LIVING ROOM SERIES PRESENTS TAYLOR YOUNG

Did you catch this week’s performance by Brad Thompson on the new Levitt Living Room Series? We love how this live-streaming series of concerts is keeping us connected with one of our favorite Downtown traditions!

The next concert is Tuesday, April 28 with a performance by Taylor Young. Be sure to consult Downtown Delivers for all kinds of delicious picnic-at-home options. Then tune in to the show at 7:00 p.m. on the Levitt’s Facebook page as a Facebook Live event, or join Downtown Arlington on our Facebook page for our Watch Party which includes a community chat.

SPREADING KINDNESS 

The sacrifices we’re making on a daily basis are slowing the spread of COVID-19 and literally saving lives. But through our shared kinship, our community never sacrifices our collective will to spread kindness. Join us in celebrating acts of kindness that took place this week in Downtown, including the UTA Big Event on April 18. This annual community service day engaged UT Arlington students in several (socially distanced) projects for organizations including Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, Carter Bloodcare, the UTA Food Pantry, and others.

If you see acts of kindness taking place in Downtown, please share the good news! Tag photos on social media with #ArlingtonKindness and @cityofarlington

In kinship,

Maggie Campbell
President and CEO
Downtown Arlington Management Corporation