Arlington’s commitment to neighborhoods is paying off, as new ranking shows

While Arlington’s identity is often linked to its largest economic driver in the entertainment district, the most productive General Motors Plant in the country and the resurgence of its downtown, a new report says it’s more than that.

The bedrock of any community is its neighborhoods. They’re the places where residents make their home, raise their children, develop friendships and pursue their dreams. They are where the concept of quality of life is defined.

When Mayor Jeff Williams was first campaigning for the city’s top office, he emphasized his commitment to serve the city’s neighborhoods as a principal focus he promised to pursue.

The City Council backed the initiative by placing a priority on a policy to “Champion Great Neighborhoods.” Their collective statement explained: “Great neighborhoods contribute to a higher quality of life and greater investment in our economy. Every part of our corporation contributes to our overall success and vitality as we make Arlington a great place to live, work, learn and play.”

That initiative has now been recognized by SmartAsset. The national organization looked at 100 of the largest U. S. cities across seven metrics to determine the best places to buy an affordable home.

Its report released last month ranks Arlington as the best in Texas and sixth nationally.

SmartAsset’s evaluation includes the percentage of homes with at least two bedrooms, the five-year change in homeownership, the down-payment-to-income ratio, housing costs as a percentage of income, the community’s high school graduation rate and measures of property and violent crime.

Citizens can track how well the city is doing in delivering on the promise to make neighborhoods a priority in its service delivery system by examining the quarterly updates published as newsletters on the city’s website.

The fourth quarter edition highlights the most current initiatives. It begins with the interim police chief’s virtual town hall meetings. “We have to be open to listening,” said Chief Jaime Ayala, “so that we can get constructive feedback from our citizens. What are the challenges we face? What do we need to focus on? We have to respond to them and listen to them.”

Then, the Arlington fire department explains its full-time assistance to the drive-through COVID-19, no cost testing program.

Arlington’s water utilities department describes how it has added two more local charities to administer the Care and Share Fund, which uses donations from the public to provide aid with water bills for customers who are facing temporary financial problems.

There’s a testimony from an Army veteran who bought a house for the first time through the city’s homebuyer’s assistance program. 

“They were all fantastic people,” Yolanda LeBron said. “They were in my corner. I didn’t find it cumbersome or time consuming, it was very informative and very encouraging. I’m so blessed.”

A ten-year investment in Central and East Arlington, targeted to infuse investment into the oldest and lowest-income areas of the city to encourage equity and opportunity, is explained.

Infrastructure and social programs that help residents thrive have resulted from half a billion dollars funded for 144,000 residents served, and 134 projects completed.

Among them are road and stormwater improvements that lead the list, parks expansions, water and sewer enhancements, the new downtown library, and a rebuilt fire station. Program initiatives include public safety and learning courses together with early childhood and teen education.

These achievements and more provide insight into why Arlington’s neighborhoods are rated the best in the state. Who knows, maybe even the city’s persistent critics – every city has them – will take notice and discover reasons to complain a little less.

That’s probably wishful thinking, but we can always hope.

Richard Greene is a former Arlington mayor, served as an appointee of President George W. Bush as regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency and lectures at UT Arlington.