Page 30 - ArlingtonFY24AdoptedBudget

Business Plan

improvements and asphalt reclamation on 108th Street and 111th Street from Avenue H to north city limit line. Completion of
this project provides the full buildout of Avenue H as established in the City’s Thoroughfare Development Plan.

The Stormwater Engineering group continued the implementation of the Comprehensive Stormwater Plan, which was approved
in FY 2021. New project areas were identified and prioritized in order to ensure that the comprehensive plan continues to meet
the needs of the community. In FY 2023, the largest stormwater improvements project in the history of the program was
completed as the 3rd phase of the Matthews Court project concluded, protecting over 65 homes from flooding. The next largest
stormwater infrastructure improvements project also began construction as the 1st phase of the California Lane Drainage
Improvements project commenced construction, which will ultimately protect over 60 homes from flooding. Over 35 flood
mitigation and maintenance projects were in design and almost $22 million of stormwater system improvements were in
construction. Projects in design and construction in FY 2023 will ultimately protect over 300 homes and businesses from flooding
and will protect many more properties from flooding and erosion.

The Stormwater Floodplain Management group continued work to mitigate flood prone structures through the City’s Voluntary
Flood Mitigation Buyout Program. Through the program, the City successfully acquired two flood prone structures identified as
buyout properties in watershed studies developed by the City. The continued reclamation of the Special Flood Hazard Areas
provides additional stormwater conveyance and flood protection in each watershed. The group also awarded a contract to
perform post-installation CCTV inspections of new storm pipes. This contract improves the ability of the Stormwater Operations
team to respond to internal requests for inspection and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

The Office of Strategic Initiatives manages special projects on behalf
of the City Manager’s Office, and also houses the Neighborhood
Engagement Program, Historic Preservation and the Landmark Preservation
Commission, Research and Analytics, and the Arlington Urban Design
Center.

Special project management involves overseeing and coordinating
components of larger, more complex initiatives that may involve multiple
departments. Examples include capital program and Citizen’s Bond
Committee coordination, honorary naming initiatives, and economic
development project analysis and coordination. The Neighborhood Engagement Program seeks to engage residents on issues
directly impacting their neighborhoods, to help build social capital, leadership, and pride at the neighborhood level. The program
includes the Neighborhood Matching Grant program, the Block Party Trailer, and the Arlington Home Improvement Incentive
Program, and Neighborhood Planning, among other efforts. The Landmark Preservation Commission provides leadership in
identifying, protecting, and developing Arlington’s historic structures, districts, and sites and to educate citizens and
visitors on the city’s past and how it relates to its present and affects its future.
Research and Analytics works towards the efficient and transparent use of data to provide timely and effective analytical support
to City programs, services, and its citizens. This team is responsible for the growing and maintaining the Open Arlington data
portal, which serves as a central clearinghouse for accessing, visualizing, and interacting with public open data sets. The R&A
team also produces an annual city Socioeconomic Report and manages initiatives such as the What Works Cities Certification
Program, which aims to provide cities with a roadmap for data-driven decision making.

The Arlington Urban Design Center aims to create public awareness about the importance of urban design and its impact
on the quality of life, environment, and economic investment. This Design Center was established in June 2009 through
a creative collaboration between the City of Arlington and the University of Texas at Arlington. Graduate students and
professors from UTA’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs (CAPPA) work closely with City staff on
business and neighborhood development projects in Arlington. Students “learn by doing” as they work with City planning
staff and benefit from the opportunity of working on real-world projects. The Design Center seeks to provide urban design
solutions and innovative ideas, and present before and after images, at no cost to the general public.

FY 2024 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 21 City of Arlington, Texas