Arlington votes to help Rangers save on renovations

Once again, Arlington city officials plan to help the Texas Rangers save money as the team makes millions of dollars in off-season renovations at the ballpark.

The Arlington City Council voted Tuesday to allow the team to use the city’s tax-exempt status to save sales taxes on an estimated $5.1 million in renovations and food and beverage equipment for a buffet area, formerly a T.G.I. Friday’s Front Row Grill, above Home Run Porch overlooking Right Field.

“It’s a substantial redo,” said Mark Wisness, director of the Arlington Convention Center. “Any improvements to the stadium are to our benefit. When they improve their revenue stream, it’s a real win-win for all of us.”

The sales tax exemption status is officially through to the Arlington Convention Center Development Corp. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

The restaurant space is still under design, and other details are not available, Rangers spokesman John Blake said by email Tuesday.

City officials said they were told the improvements aim to make the space usable year-round, not just during ball games.

Arlington owns Globe Life Park at Arlington, which is leased by the team. The city is not contributing financially to the renovations.

Council member Charlie Parker said it makes sense for the city to help the Rangers save money so the organization has more available to invest in the 20-year-old ballpark.

“It allows us to be a good steward of the ballpark and a good landlord for our tenant, the Rangers,” Parker said.

Since 2011, the team has made about $40 million in ballpark improvements, including new concession stands, an overhaul of the aging audio-video system, and the addition of more shaded seating and air-conditioned indoor spaces.

The city allowed the Rangers to use its sales tax exemption status to save money on those improvements, too.

This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published September 16, 2014 at 8:50 PM with the headline "Arlington votes to help Rangers save on renovations."