Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan

Community members have several upcoming opportunities to learn about the next phase of the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan process and give their feedback on the work done so far.

The City of Arlington invites residents to participate in a series of community meetings and pop-up events this November to share their feedback on the draft Vision Framework, potential growth scenarios, and future land use place types for the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan. This is an opportunity for residents, business owners, students, and community partners to have a direct voice in shaping Arlington’s long-term future.

Upcoming Meetings and Pop-Ups

Public Workshop & Open House

• Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m.: First United Methodist Church of Arlington, 313 N. Center St.

Pop-Up Roadshow

• Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 3 to 7 p.m.: District 5, East Library & Recreation Center, 1817 New York Ave.
• Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 3 to 7 p.m.: District 4, ACTIV Center (all ages welcome), 2601 W. Greek Oaks Blvd.
• Thursday, Nov. 13, from 3 to 7 p.m.: District 3, Southeast Branch Library, 900 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd.
• Monday, Nov. 17, from 3 to 7 p.m.: District 1, Northeast Branch Library, 1905 Brown Blvd.
• Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m.: District 2, Southwest Branch Library, 3311 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd.

Each session will offer community members the opportunity to explore the draft Vision Framework, which outlines community priorities around neighborhood character, economic vitality, mobility, sustainability and what makes Arlington unique. Attendees will be able to review the work that has been done so far, share input on what matters most for Arlington’s neighborhoods and quality of life, and meet with city planners and staff to learn how community feedback directly informs the Comprehensive Plan.

Free food and Innovate Arlington merchandise will be available at each event while supplies last. All ages are welcome at all meetings.

Why Your Voice Matters

The Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan is more than a policy document—it’s a community-driven vision. Built on public input, the draft framework focuses on five key vision elements that will guide Arlington’s future. These elements include vibrant and safe neighborhoods with community pride and inviting gathering spaces; an innovative and thriving economy with opportunities for all; a connected and walkable city with accessible transportation linking neighborhoods and destinations; sustainable and healthy infrastructure supported by green spaces and environmental stewardship; and a welcoming community culture that celebrates arts, history, culture, and civic engagement.

Those who cannot attend in person can still share feedback and follow the plan’s progress online at ArlingtonListens.com/Comprehensive-Plan.

What if you could help shape Arlington’s future by playing a game? As part of the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan process, residents are invited to play Growing a Better Arlington, a new, interactive board game that puts you in the role of managing the city’s future. Through fun and thoughtful gameplay, participants will make decisions about where people should live, work, learn and play in The American Dream City.

Designed for 2 to 6 players, the game challenges teams to balance growth, resources, and quality of life while building a city together. Players will use “Dream Coins” to fund projects like housing, parks, and infrastructure, all while responding to surprise events and community needs. The goal: to meet Arlington’s future growth trajectories without compromising the character that makes the city unique.

Community members can play the game at any Arlington Public Library location beginning mid-July. Each branch will have three board games—two available for cardholders to check out and one available for in-library play. A single-player version will also be offered online through an interactive mapping survey.

Want to play with your neighborhood association, HOA, or civic group? Submit a request and a member of the Innovate Arlington team will help schedule a game session.

Group Board Game Request Form

Board Game Opportunities

Community Board Game Night

When: July 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown Library - 100 S. Center St. [re]Brary A & B rooms

Event Details

ACTIV Board Game Day (50+)

When: July 25, noon- 5 p.m.

Where: ACTIV, 2601 Green Oaks Blvd, Post Oak B Room

Event Details

Arlington community members recently had the opportunity to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas for the city’s future as part of the first phase of engagement during the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Planning process. Through workshops, pop-up events, and an online survey, the City gathered valuable input that will help guide long-term decisions about land use, development, mobility, and quality of life as Arlington continues to grow and redevelop in the future.

There were more than 1,000 participants in the first phase of engagement – 688 in-person and 407 online. Participants were asked a variety of questions about their impressions of the community and how they would like to see Arlington develop in the future.

• Community Pride in Arlington’s Strengths: Participants were quick to point out what makes Arlington a great place to live. Topping the list were the city’s central location, parks and outdoor recreation opportunities, world-class sports and entertainment venues, and the strong sense of community that brings residents together.
• Concerns About the Road Ahead: While there’s plenty to be proud of, residents also expressed concerns about the future. Traffic congestion emerged as a top issue as well as public safety and crime, the need for reliable funding for essential services, and a desire to address community health and wellness
• A Vision for Vibrant Spaces: When asked what kinds of places they’d like to see more of in Arlington, residents envisioned a city with more parks and open spaces, walkable shopping and lifestyle areas, vibrant mixed-use districts, and a broader range of housing options.
• Priorities for Improvement: Across all engagement platforms, community members voiced strong support for improvements that enhance everyday life. These included creating safer biking and walking routes, reinvesting in parks and neighborhoods, and beautifying public spaces through better urban design.

Next Steps

The Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee continues to meet regularly, and a second phase of community engagement will begin in July. Community members will be invited to participate in community game nights, where they can play a board game called “Growing a Better Arlington” to design their version of Arlington’s future while addressing housing and job needs; and considering where public investment should be to enhance the city’s quality of life.

To follow the progress of the Comprehensive Plan and get involved in future engagement opportunities, visit ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan or ArlingtonListens.com.

Have you ever wanted to play a role in shaping the future of Arlington? Now is your chance! The City of Arlington invites you to participate in the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan workshops—a series of public meetings designed to gather community input and build a shared vision for the city’s future.

The Comprehensive Plan serves as one of Arlington’s key policy documents and charts a course for the city's future. The plan is a blueprint for Arlington and focuses on the guidelines for developing attractive and prosperous neighborhoods; coordinating land use and transportation; ensuring responsible growth; stimulating economic development; and encouraging environmental sustainability. These strategies are also reflected in other city plans and regulations, which are the components and implementation tools of the Comprehensive Plan.

Workshop Schedule

We’ve made it easy to participate by hosting workshops across all council districts. These workshops are come-and-go from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. each evening, so join us at the location and date most convenient for you:

• Tuesday, March 18: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center St.
• Monday, March 24: Northeast Branch Library, 1905 Brown Blvd.
• Tuesday, March 25: East Library and Recreation Center. 1817 New York Ave.
• Wednesday, March 26: ACTIV, 2061 W. Green Oaks Blvd.
• Thursday, March 27: Southeast Branch Library, 900 SE Green Oaks Blvd.
• Thursday, April 3: Southwest Branch Library, 3311 SW Green Oaks Blvd.

View a map of the Comprehensive Plan public workshop locations here.

What to Expect

Each workshop will include:

• Presentations on the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan.
• Interactive activities to gather your input.
• Opportunities to meet city planners and other community members.

Your feedback will directly influence the Comprehensive Plan, ensuring it aligns with the community’s vision for Arlington’s future. By participating, you’re contributing to decisions that will impact our city for generations to come.

For updates and additional ways to be involved in the Innovate Arlington Comprehensive Plan, visit ArlingtonListens.com or ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan.

What’s in a name? For the City of Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan Update, it will be the backbone of the project and lead the steering committee and stakeholders as they develop an updated blueprint for Arlington.

The Steering Committee will soon be reviewing potential names for the plan, and community members are encouraged to get involved by submitting ideas at ArlingtonListens.com. This unique opportunity allows community members to play an integral role in shaping the identity of a plan that will guide Arlington’s future growth, development, and livability for years to come.

The Comprehensive Plan is the City’s primary policy document, offering a strategic framework for addressing a wide range of issues, including neighborhood development, economic growth, land use, transportation, and environmental sustainability. A strong, recognizable name will help build awareness and community pride as the City embarks on this important planning process.

How to Participate

Residents can submit their name ideas online at https://arlingtonlistens.com/embeds/projects/24736/survey-tools/23873. The survey will be open through December, allowing plenty of time for the community to weigh in and share their ideas.

For more information on the Comprehensive Plan process and to stay updated, visit ArlingtonListens.com or ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan.

The City of Arlington has hired consulting firm MIG, Inc., to lead the two-year effort of updating Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan. This important project will set the stage for Arlington’s growth and development, shaping the city’s direction for years to come.

MIG, Inc. brings a wealth of expertise in community-focused planning, including being nationally recognized as the 2023 Daniel Burnham Comprehensive Plan of the Year. The consultants and city staff will work closely with residents, community members, Council, and the 19-member Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to create a strategic and actionable blueprint for Arlington. The updated Comprehensive Plan will address essential areas like land use, policy recommendations for the Unified Development Code, and integration of Arlington’s existing long-range plans, ensuring that the city remains vibrant, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of residents and businesses.

Community input will be at the heart of this project. MIG, Inc. and city staff will conduct community workshops, gather feedback, and assess Arlington’s infrastructure, demographics, and development patterns to propose forward-thinking recommendations. The combined work will culminate in a Comprehensive Plan that prioritizes prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and public services—all aligned with the aspirations of Arlington residents.

For more information on the Comprehensive Plan process and to stay updated, visit ArlingtonListens.com or ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan.

The Arlington City Council appointed 19 community members to the Steering Committee for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Update process. This diverse group of residents and stakeholders will play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term vision and direction for Arlington’s future development, ensuring that the city remains a vibrant and thriving place to live, work, and play.

The Comprehensive Plan serves as the City of Arlington’s key policy document, guiding decision-making on all aspects of development, with a focus on building attractive and prosperous neighborhoods for all residents, enhancing the coordination between land use and transportation, stimulating economic growth, and encouraging environmental sustainability. The Steering Committee members will work collaboratively with city staff, consultants, and the community at large to ensure the Comprehensive Plan reflects the broad needs and aspirations of Arlington’s diverse population.

The members of the Steering Committee are:

• Ken Cox, Chair
• Leanna Brady
• Bruce Dalton
• William Frawley
• Zach Graves
• Gara Hill
• Nina Henderson
• David Miller
• Joseph Murphey
• Victoria Farrar-Myers
• Taylor Oldroyd
• Anthony Powell
• Khirstian Satcher
• Jeremy Scidmore
• Aftab Siddeiqui
• Robert Snider
• Michael Talambas
• Jody Tettleton
• Karlton Washington

These individuals were selected for their commitment to community service, professional expertise, and their demonstrated passion for the future of Arlington. They will be instrumental in developing policy recommendations that will influence Arlington’s future growth and development.

Residents interested in staying informed about the Comprehensive Plan Update process or providing input can visit ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan.

The City of Arlington is seeking residents, business leaders, and other community stakeholders to be help lead the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Update process. Applications for the Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee are now available.

Interested parties should apply using the form at ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan. Applications are due Aug. 14, 2024.

The Steering Committee will play a crucial role in ensuring that the Comprehensive Plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our community. Committee members will work collaboratively with city staff, consultants and the broader community to address key issues such as land use, transportation, housing, economic development and environmental sustainability. Residents with a passion for community service and a desire to make a positive impact on Arlington’s future are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about the Comprehensive Plan Update, visit ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan. To participate in the process go to ArlingtonListens.com.

Arlington residents are invited to attend one of two public education sessions to learn about the upcoming Comprehensive Plan process.

Beginning in late 2024, the City will be updating its Comprehensive Plan, a pivotal policy document that sets the course for the city's development and growth. The Comprehensive Plan serves as a blueprint, guiding decisions on land use, transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. By envisioning attractive and prosperous neighborhoods, coordinating growth responsibly, and fostering innovation, the plan ensures Arlington remains a great place to live, work, learn and play.

Public Education Sessions

Residents can attend one of two meetings to learn more about the process. Both meetings will have similar content, so residents interested in attending need to only go to one.

• Dates and times: June 20 or June 24, 6 to 7 p.m.
• Location: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, first floor, [re]Brary Rooms A&B; 100 S. Center St., Arlington TX 76010

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update process, there are several ways to do so:

• Website: Visit ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan for details about what the process will entail.
• Engage: Ask questions and give your thoughts at our new public engagement tool, ArlingtonListens.com
• Email: Sign up to receive periodic email updates on the Comprehensive Plan Update at ArlingtonTX.gov/CompPlan