From the successful groundbreaking of Globe Life Field and the Live! by Loews flagship hotel in the Entertainment District to the launch of one of the country"s first autonomous shuttle programs, 2017 has been a year of excitement for the City of Arlington.

Let"s look back at some of the biggest stories that happened this year in The American Dream City.

Globe Life Field is set to open in 2020.

Globe Life Field Project Breaks Ground

The City of Arlington and the Texas Rangers celebrated several milestones on the $1.1 billion retractable-roof Globe Life Field project in 2017, including a naming rights deal, unveiling of architectural renderings and the official groundbreaking ceremony in September. The City of Arlington"s Office of Communication also launched Home Plate Update, a quarterly electronic newsletter, to help residents stay up-to-date on the transformative project.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/09/28/arlington-texas-rangers-celebrate-groundbreaking-future-globe-life-field/

Summit Racing Equipment opened in Arlington in Septenber.

Summit Racing Equipment Opens in Arlington to Car Enthusiasts" Delight

Mechanics and car enthusiasts celebrated the September opening of Summit Racing Equipment"s Arlington facility, which is the company"s fourth and largest location in the country. The $82 million warehouse, retail super store and customer support center is located at the southwest corner of Interstate 20 and Highway 360.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/09/28/summit-racing-equipment-opens-arlington-car-enthusiasts-delight/

Milo, the City of Arlington"s autonomous shuttle pilot program, launched in August.

Milo Autonomous Shuttle Pilot Program Rolls Out

In August, the City of Arlington rolled out the Milo autonomous shuttle pilot program. This free shuttle service operates on select off-street trails in the Entertainment District before and after major events at AT-T Stadium and Globe Life Park.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/08/11/arlington-roll-milo-autonomous-shuttle-pilot-program-august-26/

Live! by Loews is set to open in 2019.

Arlington Celebrates Groundbreaking of $150 Million Live! by Loews Flagship Hotel

City and community leaders celebrated another huge economic development milestone in November with the groundbreaking of the $150 million flagship Live! by Loews hotel and convention center at Texas Live! The 300-room upscale hotel is set to open in 2019.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/01/arlington-celebrates-groundbreaking-150-million-live-loews-flagship-hotel/

The Rush Creek Dog Park officially opened in September.

Rush Creek Dog Park Opens in West Arlington

Dog owners rejoiced in September when the City of Arlington opened its second public dog park. The Rush Creek Dog Park features nearly seven acres of tail-wagging fun with four fenced-in areas for off-leash play. The park, which is free to use, also offers drinking water fountains for humans and dogs, climbing boulders, benches with shade cover and more.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/09/12/arlingtons-rush-creek-dog-park-now-open/

Photo Courtesy of Dallas Cowboys

NFL Draft Headed to The American Dream City

The NFL announced in October that the 2018 NFL Draft, a three-day event expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the country, would take place next April at AT-T Stadium in Arlington. This will be the first time the League"s Draft was held at an NFL stadium.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/10/18/cowboys-city-arlington-host-2018-nfl-draft-att-stadium/

Elected officials gathered June 16, 2017 to celebrate groundbreaking of General Motors" new supplier park in Arlington.
Photo: Mike Stone for Chevrolet

GM, Arlington Celebrate Groundbreaking of Automotive Logistics Center

General Motors and the City celebrated the groundbreaking of the $278 million Arlington Automotive Logistics Center in June. The redevelopment project will bring hundreds of new, good-paying jobs to The American Dream City. NorthPoint Development is constructing two warehouses with a combined 1.2 million square feet of industrial space for GM Assembly Plant suppliers on the former Six Flags Mall site at Division Street and State Highway 360.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/06/16/gm-arlington-celebrate-groundbreaking-automotive-logistics-center/

UPS Regional Hub

UPS Selects Arlington as a Regional Hub

The City of Arlington approved tax incentives in March to facilitate the opening of a UPS regional hub, a project expected to bring an estimated 1,400 full-time jobs and fill one of the City"s largest warehouse/industrial spaces. The 1.1 million-square-foot facility is set to open in early 2019 at south of Interstate 20 near Bardin Road and SH 360.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/03/28/arlington-city-council-approves-economic-incentives-ups-regional-hub/

The Via Rideshare Pilot Program launched in December.

Arlington Launches Via Rideshare

In December, Arlington became one of the first cities in the country to begin offering on-demand rideshare as an innovative public transportation solution. For $3 per trip, customers can catch a ride in a Via premium passenger van to one of many key destinations in Arlington. The rideshare pilot program"s service area will expand to include large sections of the city between Interstate 30 and Interstate 20.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/12/11/via-city-arlington-launch-innovative-demand-rideshare-pilot-program/

Photo credit: Enchant Christmas Facebook page

Enchant Christmas Debuts in Arlington

Enchant Christmas, the world"s largest light maze, debuted in Arlington thanks to collaboration between the Arlington Convention - Visitors Bureau and the Texas Rangers. In addition to more than two million twinkling lights, Enchant Christmas features Santa"s Palace, and ice skating pond, live entertainment, the Texas Christkindl Market, food trucks and more.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/22/culture-buzz-enchant-christmas-lights-arlingtons-entertainment-district/

D.R. Horton celebrated the opening of its Arlington headquarters in October.

D.R. Horton, Arlington"s first Fortune 500 Company Headquarters, Opens in Arlington

In October, city and community leaders celebrated the opening of D.R. Horton"s headquarters in Arlington"s Entertainment District. The Fortune 500 company"s headquarters is home to more than 400 employees.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/10/30/fortune-500-company-d-r-horton-celebrates-new-corporate-headquarters-arlington/

Gospel artist Kirk Franklin at his recording studio in Downtown Arlington.
Photo Courtesy of Russ Berger Design Group

Gospel Artist Kirk Franklin Opens Recording Studio in Downtown Arlington

Multi-platinum gospel artist Kirk Franklin completed the transformation of a vacant furniture warehouse in Downtown Arlington into a $2 million, state-of-the-art recording studio unlike any in the country today.

Read more: http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/07/10/gospel-artist-kirk-franklin-opens-recording-studio-downtown-arlington/