Page 26 - CityofArlingtonFY26AdoptedBudget

Business Plan

During FY 2025, Traffic Engineering completed the intersection improvement upgrades for over 150 intersections with reflective
backplates and battery backups. The 2021 Highway Safety Improvement Program was funded by the Texas Department of
Transportation and allowed the project to be constructed. The group was also awarded a two-year grant by the North Central
Texas Council of Governments for Causeway One.Network which is a Work Zone Data Exchange platform which allows for
notification of closures and increases safety on roadways.

The Office of Strategic Initiatives manages special projects on behalf
of the City Manager’s Office, and also houses Real Estate Services,
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 (R&A) 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.

Real Estate Services is responsible for all real estate transactions for all City departments. The transactions include
acquisition of property rights for street projects, water and sewer projects, libraries, parks, fire and police facilities, airport
expansion, water towers and other special use sites. Other responsibilities include property leasing, maintaining property
records, selling surplus property, preparing cost estimates, initiating and facilitating property review committee meetings
and preparing and filing subdivision easements for developers. In addition, the real estate division manages 45 oil and
gas leases, collects, audits and allocates funds for royalty payments on 344 natural gas wells, reviews division orders
for new wells, and manages 54 Pipeline License Agreements.

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 (UTA). 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 public.

FY 2026 Proposed Budget and Business Plan 20 City of Arlington, Texas