On Friday afternoon, the Texas Rangers announced that they would be building a new $1 billion, retractable roof ballpark in the Dallas suburb of Arlington.
The announcement is a surprise for a few reasons. One, there has been no rumors or speculation that the baseball club was looking to build a new home. Two, the Rangers’ current stadium, Globe Life Park in Arlington, only opened in 1994.
The Star-Telegram reports that the $1 billion cost will be split equally between the city and the Rangers, and that the agreement will keep the team in Arlington until 2054. The tax dollars will come from a half-cent sales tax, a 2% hotel occupancy tax, and a 5% car rental tax. The proposal requires voter approval on November 8.
JUST IN: Early renderings of new Rangers ballpark https://t.co/Hu4mxd4Mn3 pic.twitter.com/taBfCz5HQt
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) May 20, 2016
The retractable roof and air conditioning system would be a game-changer for the players and fans. Temperatures in Arlington regularly reach the mid-90s and triple digits during the summer.
Construction on the new park could begin as soon as late 2017, and the rangers may move in before their lease at Globe Life Park expires in 2023.
This fall, construction will begin on the $200 million Texas Live! The seven-acre development will serve the current and proposed ballparks, and it will have 100,000 sf of restaurant, bar, and retail space, 35,000 sf of convention space, and a 300-bed luxury hotel.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Oct 20, 2017
Top 40 sports architecture firms
Populous, HOK, and HKS top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest sports sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Sep 27, 2017
A soccer team’s fan base could play an integral role in its new stadium’s design and operations
Sacramento Republic FC and HNTB are conducting a contest where the public can submit concept ideas.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Sep 11, 2017
Mid-size, multi-use arenas setting a trend for the future
While large 20,000-seat sports venues aren’t going away, mid-size venues provide advantages the big arenas do not in a time of budget constraints and the need for flexibility.
AEC Tech | Aug 25, 2017
Software cornucopia: Jacksonville Jaguars’ new practice facility showcases the power of computational design
The project team employed Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Kangaroo, and a host of other software applications to design and build this uber-complex sports and entertainment facility.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 18, 2017
Video: Designing the ideal rugby stadium
HOK invited four world-class rugby players into its London studio to discuss what they would like to see in the rugby stadiums of the future.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 16, 2017
Detroit Pistons Performance Center hopes to invigorate the community, create an NBA championship team
The facility will be incorporated into the community with public spaces.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 17, 2017
A new Rec Centre in Toronto links three neighborhoods
Community engagement impacts its design and programming.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
Senate bill would prohibit tax money for sports stadium projects
Bipartisan legislation would prevent use of municipal bonds by pro teams.
Building Team Awards | Jun 8, 2017
Team win: Clemson University Allen N. Reeves Football Operations Complex
Silver Award: Clemson gets a new football operations palace, thanks to its building partners’ ability to improvise.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 19, 2017
Construction of $2.6 billion L.A. football stadium delayed by heavy rains
The Rams and Chargers won’t be able to move in until the 2020 season.