Arlington City Council Taking Next Step On New Rangers Stadium
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ARLINGTON (CBS11) - Big plans are in the works for a big new stadium for the Rangers, but will the people of Arlington approve?
City leaders will get a first taste of how popular the plan is with voters Tuesday night.
After announcing plans for the new stadium, now the test will be selling the idea to the people who will have to pay for it.
The conceptual drawings of the new stadium, complete with retractable roof, represent a major improvement to a 22-year-old stadium that comes with a cost.
"The downside maybe is the taxpayers having to pay for it. A lot of people here aren't baseball fans, so that might be one thing. If you're not a baseball fan why are you going to spend your own money for something you're not even going to go to," Rangers fan Justin Dingman said.
But these are improvements the city and the team say are necessary for keeping those fans comfortable even in the heat of summer.
"They can hold more special events there. It's not going to get rained out. They can actually control the climate in there, and heck, it's Texas, we know how hot it can get here, so having some AC in a dome would be nice too," Dingman said.
The stadium is just one layer of big plans for this area. Texas Live is expected to feature restaurants and a new hotel.
"They're trying to make this more of an entertainment district, and it's good for Arlington," Rangers fan Patrick Morris said.
But that will be up to the people of Arlington to decide. Half of the $1-billion price tag would be paid for by Arlington taxpayers who would have to vote to approve the new ballpark in November.
Before the project goes directly to voters, council members will vote Tuesday night when they meet at 6:30 p.m. to go over the plans.
Arlington residents will be able to voice any concerns during public comments.
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