Arlington, Fort Worth Pass $680 Million in Propositions

Arlington and Fort Worth residents voted to approve nearly $680 million in propositions to improve the cities overnight.

In Arlington, Props 1-4, which account for $236 million in improvements to streets, parks, fire facilities and the library system, passed by a wide margin.

“Residents have always been very helpful in furthering the quality of life in Arlington, and this bond election helps us meet those goals,” said Mayor Robert N. Cluck, M.D. “I think residents understand the benefits of saying ‘yes,’ and it doesn’t raise their tax rate.”

City of Arlington, Prop. 1: The issuance of $160.13 million general obligation bonds for street improvements and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.

City of Arlington, Prop. 2: The issuance of $60 million general obligation bonds for park, open space and recreation improvements and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.

Specifically the propositions call for proposed projects to include aquatic/recreation centers in Southeast and East Arlington, a library and an off-leash dog park in West Arlington.

City of Arlington, Prop. 3: The issuance of $9.78 million general obligation bonds for fire fighting facilities, and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.

City of Arlington, Prop. 4: The issuance of $6.09 million general obligation bonds for library improvements, and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.

In Tarrant County, Fort Worth voters approved three propositions having to do with the construction and renovation of a $450 million, 14,000-seat multipurpose arena in the city's Cultural District.

Measures approved Tuesday will help fund about 15 percent of the complex.

Voters endorsed an admission tax on each ticket to events at the arena. Voters also approved a parking tax, topped at $5 per vehicle, at the site expected to be built next to the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Another tax will apply to each stall or pen used by livestock at the arena.

Fort Worth and Tarrant County have already spent about $10 million for storm drain and road improvements. Hotel and mixed-beverage related taxes will also help fund the arena.

Fort Worth, Proposition 1: Authorizing the City of Fort Worth to provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction and renovation of a multipurpose arena at the intersection of Harley Avenue and Gendy Street and other adjacent support facilities as a venue project, and to impose an admissions tax on each ticket sold as admission to an event held at the venue project, at a rate not to exceed 10 percent of the price of the ticket, for the purpose of financing the venue project.

Fort Worth, Proposition 2: Authorizing the City of Fort Worth to provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction and renovation of a multipurpose arena at the intersection of Harley Avenue and Gendy Street and other adjacent support facilities as a venue project, and to impose a livestock facility use tax on each stall or pen used or occupied by livestock during an event held on one or more consecutive days in which the venue project is used, not to exceed $20 in the aggregate per stall or pen rental for any event, for the purpose of financing the venue project.

Fort Worth, Proposition 3: Authorizing the City of Fort Worth to provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction and renovation of a multipurpose arena at the intersection of Harley Avenue and Gendy Street and other adjacent support facilities as a venue project, and to impose a parking tax on each motor vehicle parking in a parking facility that serves or will serve the venue project, not to exceed $5 for each motor vehicle, for the purpose of financing the venue project.