Tarrant County had quite a week of big news, with publicity and angst over one very negative event unfortunately overwhelming two positive stories that will have significant long-term effects on our area.
The restructuring plans that American Airlines revealed last week have been dissected in great detail so I won't much add to it except to say that it's a shame it got to this. It's easy in hindsight for everyone to regret the way this finally came down, both on the management and union sides.Perhaps management should have chosen the bankruptcy route years ago when other airlines did it. Perhaps the unions should have remembered the lessons learned more than 25 years ago when Eastern Airlines disappeared as a company. I lived in Miami at the time, Eastern's headquarters, and the current scenario seems eerily familiar.No matter now; you can't undo history. We are where we are, and have to hope that better choices are made going forward.With 25,000 employees based locally and its huge presence at DFW Airport, the future of American Airlines obviously will affect the region in a big way no matter the outcome.But as sick as North Texans are over the American Airlines news, I'm encouraged and enthusiastic about two Arlington developments last week: the announcement that GM is investing $200 million more to add a sheet metal stamping facility to the existing plant, and the debut of the $78 million College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington.I was editor of the Star-Telegram Arlington edition in the early 1990s, and I can safely say I never expected either of these events to occur.Back then, the Arlington GM facility was fighting for its life. Several times it looked like it might be closed, especially when the auto industry's government bailout happened. But the efficiency of the plant and its workers saved the day, and this new vote of approval from GM looks like it ensures stability here for years and perhaps decades.But the UTA news was what I never would have believed if you asked me about the potential years ago.As Star-Telegram freelance writer John Henry said in a story last week, "Forgive if someone should refer to College Park Center as Neverland. What has been erected on Pecan Street on the east side of the campus would have been thought of as fantasy only a few short years ago."But like Peter Pan said, "You must believe" to be able to fly.Hard for me to imagine UTA President Jim Spaniolo as Peter Pan, but after attending the first game at College Park on Wednesday night, I'm reminded of that old lyric by The Monkees, "Now I'm a believer!"Back when I was editor in Arlington in 1992, Ryan Amacher had just become president after the 20-year reign of the legendary Wendell Nedderman. Both men said a first-class campus events center was high on their list of priorities, as did Robert Witt (my favorite president, obviously) when he took over from Amacher in 1995. But the idea never got off the ground until Spaniolo became president in 2004.Somehow, like Tinkerbell, he sprinkled magic fairy dust around and ... suddenly UTA is flying!College Park Center is a jewel. Designed by HKS Architects, the outfit that drew up Cowboys Stadium, it's just as spectacular but on a smaller, more intimate scale.When you throw in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, it's a trifecta for the city.Jim Witt is executive editor of the Star-Telegram.817-390-7704Twitter: @jimelvisHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
