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

For years, “pivoting” has been a familiar word in the start-up community. Entrepreneurs know when a business model isn’t working, it’s time to “pivot” toward a new solution. 

Over the last couple of months, pivoting has evolved from start-up lingo to coronavirus war cry.

Although the term suggests speed, the most successful pivots are not driven by desperation. They’re driven by perception. Taking time to first assess, then triage, before the pivot maximizes the potential for recovery. Perceptive pivoting can actually be a tool to discover opportunities, gaps in training, or unmet customer needs or problems to solve.

Arlington City Manager Trey Yelverton and I have become fond of using a sailing analogy as an alternative to “pivoting.” When there are no prevailing winds, a good sailor takes advantage of the stall. She makes repairs, tightens the sails, and adjusts her course so she’s ready to catch the wind as soon as it picks back up.

Two things are for certain: Downtown Arlington businesses understand our customers are facing new problems, and we're eager to offer solutions. We thank you for standing by us as we all begin again to set sail.

NEXT DAMC PODCAST EXPLORES ROOTS OF REVITALIZATION: MAY 14 AT 4:00 P.M.  

Recently featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Downtown Arlington Roots podcast series is turning its attention this week to power of perceiving what’s possible. 

In spite of the coronavirus pandemic, we can still perceive the sweeping impact of Downtown Arlington’s renaissance. Join me Thursday, May 14 at 4:00 p.m. for Roots of Revitalization, the next episode in our Downtown Arlington Roots podcast series. I’ll be chatting with “Downtown Tony” Rutigliano, owner of Urban Alchemy, longtime Arlington leader Tom Cravens, and Tom’s daughter Tarrant County Judge Mary Tom Cravens Curnutt about our homegrown story of big dreams, tenacity, reinvention and community building.

Enjoy the entire Downtown Arlington Roots series anytime and anywhere you listen to podcasts, including iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and Downtown Arlington Facebook Live:

• Episode One. Uprooted: The History of the Texas Rangers with John Blake, executive vice president of the Texas Rangers, and Parker Vandergriff, grandson of Mayor Tom Vandergriff. 
• Episode Two. Puttin’ Down Roots, stories of early Arlington with writer and historian O.K. Carter and Geraldine Mills, Executive Director of the Arlington Historical Society and Fielder House.
• Episode Three. Rooted in Creativity, which explores the traditions of live music, fine and performing arts, and arts education in Downtown. Joining us is Levitt Pavilion Executive Director Letatia Teykl, 3Di Signs + Design Owner Paul Fulks, and Persis Ann Forster, Artistic Director for Dance Theatre Arlington and Owner of Miss Persis Studio of Dance.
• Episode Four. Roots of Revitalization launches at 4:00 p.m. on May 14 and features our conversation with Tony Rutigliano of Urban Alchemy, longtime Arlington leader Tom Cravens, and Mary Tom Cravens Curnutt, Tarrant County Judge Precinct 2.
• Our final two episodes, Rerooting: The Origins of Innovation and Reinvention; and Rootin’ For Each Other: Downtown’s Long-standing Commitment to Kindness and Community Service, will be released at 4:00 p.m. Thursday May 21 and May 28 respectively. 

Find out what the buzz is about! Take a break Thursday, May14 at 4:00 p.m. and join Tom, Mary Tom, Tony and me on Facebook Live.

LEVITT LIVING ROOM SERIES PRESENTS CARSON MCHONE ON MAY 19 

We love that the Levitt Living Room Series is keeping us connected with one of our favorite Downtown traditions that’s absolutely free! The next live-streaming event is Tuesday, May 19 with a performance by Carson McHone. Be sure to consult Downtown Delivers for all kinds of dinner-at-home options, then tune in to the concert at 7:00 p.m. on the Levitt’s Facebook Live or Instagram Live.

CONCERT IN YOUR CAR? STOP CURBSIDE FIRST IN DOWNTOWN  

Earlier this week, the Texas Rangers announced a new Concert in Your Car series featuring The Eli Young Band, Whiskey Myers, Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band and Kevin Fowler. The 4-day event, which takes place Jun 4-7, is "designed to give music fans the live show experience while still maintaining social distancing.”

Two logistical details of Concert in Your Car are of particular interest. First, tickets are being sold by the car instead of per person. Second, concessions will not be available. Instead, attendees are encouraged to bring food and drinks including alcohol (for those aged 21 or older) to consume inside their cars (no tailgating permitted). Given the success of Downtown Delivers, our one-stop platform of to-go ordering and curbside pick-up options, we’ll be ramping up our outreach efforts to ensure that Downtown Arlington is the first choice for concert-goers.
 

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS   

While a new round of announcements on reopening businesses are expected by Governor Greg Abbott on May 18, some Downtown Arlington bar owners are considering a step that will take place sooner.

The Texas Bar and Nightclub Alliance is encouraging members across the state to conduct a soft reopening Friday, May 15. The opening will not be open to the public, but instead will be a time for staff to prepare themselves and their venues for possible reopening next week. Preparations include employee training, installing tables and chairs to eliminate open areas such as dance floors, cleaning, mask distribution, and installation of hand sanitizing stations.

FOREVER MAVERICK  

On the second weekend in May, Downtown is ordinarily filled with thousands of friends and family members honoring their special graduate from The University of Texas at Arlington. Although the university’s Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies are postponed due to the pandemic, UTA is still offering a way this weekend to celebrate your favorite Maverick.

At 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, UTA Interim President Teik Lim and Student Body President Gavin Mitchell will cohost Cheers! To the Class of 2020, a virtual graduation celebration. The event will stream from uta.edu/commencement and include unique performances, special messages from across campus, and follower-generated content including photos and videos. To submit photos of your favorite Maverick grad, click here to upload or post on social media with the #ForeverMaverick hashtag.

Speaking of “Forever Maverick,” one of our all-time favorite Mavericks has returned to the university in a new role. Former UTA President Jim Spaniolo has been appointed by Interim President Lim to serve as Senior Advisor for External Engagement. In addition to envisioning and building the UTA College Park District during his tenure as president, Jim was instrumental in supporting the formation of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation and the campaign to build the Levitt Pavilion. Welcome back, Jim!

With the myriad of challenges we still face, how fortunate we are to have Interim President Lim, President Spaniolo, and the vastly talented UTA community in the heart of our district to help us perceive what’s possible. Again. 

With gratitude,

Maggie Campbell
President and CEO
Downtown Arlington Management Corporation  

P.S. If you see acts of kindness taking place in Downtown, please share the good news by posting and tagging on social media with #ArlingtonKindness and @cityofarlington.