From the successful Texas Rangers ballpark election to the groundbreaking of the $30 million Downtown Library, 2016 has been a year of excitement for the City of Arlington.

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

Cultural District Designation

The Texas Commission on the Arts designated Downtown Arlington as one of only seven new cultural districts in the state.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/downtown_arlington_named_cultural_district

WrestleMania 32

WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium set an attendance record of 101,763 fans and was the highest-grossing live event in WWE history at $17.3 million.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/wrestle_mania_32_in_arlington_continues_to_smash

Interstate 30/SH 360 Interchange Project

Work commenced on the $233 million Interstate 30/State Highway 360 Interchange Project in Arlington. The "game-changing project" is designed to reduce traffic congestion on both high-volume highways and improve safety for the traveling public.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/leaders_celebrate_groundbreaking

"Best Big City" in the South

Money Magazine named Arlington as the "Best Big City" in the South."

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/money_magazine_names_arlington

General Motors Financial Addition

In November, General Motors Financial announced the completion of its $35 million addition to its Arlington Operations Center campus. The office will house 1,300 employees.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/gm_financial_announces_35_million_addition

101 Center

Downtown Arlington's transformation was boosted by significant progress on 101 Center, a six-story redevelopment project at Abram and Center streets. The project, which will include 244 high-end residential units over 18,000-square-feet of ground-level retail, restaurants and loft office space, will open next year.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/fall_2017_pre_leasing_now_open_at_101_center

North Texas Giving Day

Arlington-based nonprofits collected more than $1 million combined from 4,386 donors during the 8^th Annual North Texas Giving Day event. The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation's Arlington Gives event was capped with a free Luke Wade concert at the Levitt Pavilion.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/arlington_based_charities_collect

Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment , which bills itself as the world's largest direct marketer of performance automotive parts and accessories, announced that it will open a new $82 million warehouse facility, retail super store and customer support center in Arlington.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/summit_racing_announces_82_million_warehouse

Downtown Library Groundbreaking

In May, the City broke ground on the $30 million Downtown Library. The 80,000-square-foot library, located just north of Arlington City Hall, is set to open in 2018.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/arlington_celebrates_30_million_downtown_library

Technology and Public Safety Investments

The Arlington City Council approved the $454.2 million Fiscal Year 2017 operating budget , which includes significant investments in public safety and technology as well as the first year of a three-year plan to make city employee salaries and benefits more competitive.

https://arlington.hosted.civiclive.com/arlington_city_council_adopts__454_2_million