texas

Arlington Council Approves $1 Billion Ballpark Proposal

Council members look at tax proposals; public will get final vote in November election

Arlington city council members unanimously voted Tuesday night in favor of the proposed tax plan to fund approximately half of the $1 billion baseball stadium plan announced last week.

The measure now heads to Arlington voters for consideration in November.

The Texas Rangers announced Friday that the team has agreed to stay in Arlington through 2054, its home since relocating from Washington, D.C., after the 1971 baseball season.

A big part of the renewed agreement with the city is the plan for a big stadium – one complete with a retractable roof.

Half of the $1 billion to fund the stadium would come from the city in the form of taxes, including a half-cent sales tax. The same plan was used to fund construction of the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium, which opened in 2009.

"Tonight's action by the City Council is an important step in the process in this public-private partnership to build a new ballpark for Arlington and our fans. We're excited about the possibility of calling Arlington home for many years to come," said Rangers co-chairman Ray Davis in a statement after the vote Tuesday.

Arlington city council members are set to vote Tuesday on a proposed tax plan to help fund a $1 billion baseball stadium announced last week.

Discussions with the team began years ago, but "became more active" in recent months, according to City Manager Trey Yelverton.

In addition to the existing half-cent sales tax now being used to pay for AT&T Stadium, the city's portion of the Rangers new home would be funded by a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax and a 5 percent car rental tax.

The Rangers, who Yelverton said want to move into their new home in time for the 2020 baseball season, would pay $2 million in rent each year.

"This is an opportunity for us to continue the momentum and not step back years from where we're at and keep a partner here who has become a part of the fabric of the community that is part of our DNA," said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams.

Arlington City Council's Rangers Work Session

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