The City of Arlington has thrown a switch on an homage to a man who helped shape the city's skyline. In a colorful ceremony on Thursday, officials dedicated the "Senator Kim Brimer Bridge," illuminating it in patriotic red, white, and blue lighting. The Nolan Ryan Expressway bridge, straddling the Mark Holtz Lake, was selected back in January by the Arlington City Council to bear Brimer's name. The dedication took place near Esports Stadium Arlington, with Brimer himself attending alongside his family.
The city's nod to Brimer is an acknowledgment of his contributions, particularly his service as the senator from 2003 to 2009, after serving seven terms in the Texas House of Representatives from 1989 to 2003. It was Brimer's legislation that enabled Arlington to use sales tax revenue for sports and recreation facilities, a financial play that allowed venues like the Ballpark in Arlington to become a reality. According to the City of Arlington, Texas, this pivotal maneuver helped keep the Texas Rangers in Arlington.
Mayor Jim Ross expressed the city's gratitude at the ceremony, saying, "Thank you Senator Brimer for everything that you have done for this community and this city; for being a catalyst to the things that we see all around us, AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium." Adding to the accolades, Brimer, in his typical fashion, cracked a joke about the honor, "When they told me that they wanted to name this bridge after me, I was so overwhelmed I almost fell off the bridge and into the lake," he told attendees during the dedication, as per the City of Arlington, Texas.
The "Senator Kim Brimer Bridge" isn't just a nameplate; it's set to become a centerpiece in the Entertainment District's ongoing pageantry. Perched at the confluence of Nolan Ryan Expressway and AT&T Way, it boasts programmable multicolored LED lighting aimed to commemorate citywide milestones and events. The bridge’s proximity to landmarks such as the Unity Arch and the still-under-construction National Medal of Honor Museum only affirms its prominent role in Arlington's tapestry of attractions.
Thursday's event underscores Brimer's impact on the local economy, an impact whose ripples will likely be felt for generations. And despite the pomp of the event, it's worth noting that the bridge's new designation doesn't entail a change to any part of Nolan Ryan Expressway, keeping navigation as straightforward as it's always been.
