Stronger Together Through Resilience: Weekly Message from Maggie Campbell, President/CEO of DAMC

Dear Downtown Community, 
 
The word for the week is RESILIENCE.
 
For the first time since the COVID-19 crisis began, experts are now cautiously sharing some good news. The influential coronavirus model by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which previously predicted a bleak outcome for Texas, improved dramatically on Tuesday. The number of projected deaths statewide fell dramatically, as did the likelihood of running out of ICU beds and ventilators.
 
Only through our resilience, however, will this more optimistic projection be realized. Stay flexible. Stay informed. Stay physically apart, yet stay strong together.
 
To help our Downtown businesses and cultural partners stay the course, we’re regularly updating our COVID-19 webpage and social media feeds with the latest resources available at the federal, state and local level. Visit downtownarlington.org/covid-19 for more information.
 
NEW PODCAST CELEBRATES DOWNTOWN ROOTS

Countless stories of ingenuity, creativity, and hometown pride make up the history of Downtown Arlington. What better time than now to both celebrate the resilience of Downtown and strengthen our community bonds through the sharing of those stories?
 
DAMC is proud to announce Downtown Arlington Roots, a new, six-episode podcast series that celebrates the history of Downtown Arlington. More than just a history lesson, the podcast will engage Arlington leaders, experts and innovators in thought-provoking conversations about our district’s fascinating history and bright future.
 
My job as podcast host is to go beyond the headlines and get into the kind of storytelling that’s passed from one generation to the next. We encourage both our followers to join us as well as young Arlington residents who are currently learning at home.
 
New, one-hour episodes of the podcast will air live each Thursday at 4:00 p.m. And what better way to kick off the series than by root, root, rooting for the home team? Join me on April 23 as I talk with Parker Vandergriff about how the Texas Rangers came to Arlington and the stories behind all three ballparks. We also might be joined by another special guest, who'll share a unique sneak peek behind the scenes of the new stadium, Globe Life Field. 

Future episodes will take a deep dive into the history of early Arlington with O.K. Carter and Geraldine Mills; the history of live music and art in Downtown; the history of Downtown Arlington’s revitalization; the origins of innovation and reinvention in Downtown; and Downtown’s longstanding tradition of community service.

Watch our social media for information on how you can tune in.
 
DOWNTOWN DELIVERS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
 
By now, you’ve probably experienced first-hand the value of #DowntownDelivers, the DAMC platform that connects customers to Downtown restaurants and bars offering to-go ordering, curbside pick-up, drive-through and/or delivery services.
 
Our team was surprised and humbled this week by our professional association, the International Downtown Association, which highlighted Downtown Delivers to its members as an example of a COVID-19 response best practice. The program was hailed as a results-oriented platform that provides real value to businesses through its commitment to short- and long-term resilience solutions.
 
Visit our Downtown Delivers page for more information.
 
KINDNESS CAN
 
What can lift us up as a community? Kindness can.
 
Dan Cavanagh and the UT Arlington Department of Music have been inspiring us this week with their act of kindness. Dan, who chairs both the UTA Music Dept. and the DAMC Cultural Arts Committee, is an incredibly talented jazz pianist and composer. Earlier this week, Dan hosted a free, live virtual concert from his home. During the concert, those who were able had the opportunity to give to the UTA Emergency Assistance Fund. The Fund supports UTA students who are experiencing a financial crisis due to circumstances like COVID-19.
 
What an amazing opportunity to help UTA students who do so much to support our Downtown! DAMC jumped on the chance to offer a 1:1 match of all gifts received during the concert up to $750. We’re so proud to say that over $3100 has been raised to date.
 
We encourage you to view the video of Dan’s concert, and if you can, please support the UTA Emergency Assistance Fund through your gift of kindness. The campaign closes Friday, April 10 at midnight. Donate here: spark.uta.edu/project/20669
 
If you see acts of kindness taking place in Downtown, please share the good news! Tag photos on social media with #ArlingtonKindness and @cityofarlington.
 
SOUL-FULL
 
As we cope with day-to-day realities of COVID-19, we must remember to take time to replenish our hearts, minds and souls. While the members of our faith-based community are celebrating Passover and Easter in unconventional ways this Spring, each offers you an invitation to messages of hope and restoration. Please visit our website for a list of places to worship in Downtown Arlington.

Until next time,

Maggie Campbell
President and CEO
Downtown Arlington Management Corporation