Arlington ISD reports bond spending and site plans, board approves CMARs for stadium projects

The Arlington ISD board heard an update April 3 on the district’s 2019 bond program and related facility projects, including schematic site plans for three new stadiums and progress photos from major construction sites.

Assistant Superintendent Kelly Horn summarized bond figures: a total bond budget of about $966,000,000, encumbered and expended amounts across phases, and an available balance of roughly $277,000,000 following the most recent issuance of just over $163,000,000. Horn said the program has realized about $25,000,000 in interest earnings after obligations and noted that about $150,000,000 of the available dollars will be consumed by projects currently in bid.

Horn highlighted current construction at Rodriguez and Glaspie (masonry largely in place, fields and turf scheduled in the spring), HVAC and phase‑5 work, and schematic site drawings for Cravens, Wildman and Glaspie. He outlined differences driven by site footprints and explained why some stadiums will reuse existing structural elements to manage cost and inflation pressures.

Trustees asked detailed questions about parking, drainage, concession versus vending building classifications, and parity of fan amenities among the three stadiums. Horn said the district will return with refined schematic details and pricing for additional parking and other options.

On the consent agenda the board approved a motion to award construction manager‑at‑risk contracts for Wildman and Cravens; the consent agenda carried 7‑0. President Chapa asked staff to explore aesthetic alignment among the stadiums and to bring designs back for further discussion.

The bond update also reviewed hub participation metrics and project phasing; Horn said hub participation will fluctuate month‑to‑month as contractor billings move through larger active projects and that the district continues to target above a 25% hub participation rate.