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photo by Olaf Growald
Ryan Dodson, Dodson Companies
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photo by Olaf Growald
Transformation of Urban Union, Legal Draft Beer Co.
Ryan Dodson grew up in Arlington. He frequented Division Street for family dinners at Ramon’s Hacienda, went to Arlington public schools (sometimes visiting job sites with his dad, Jerry, to check out concrete pours before heading to class), and walked the stage to receive his degree at Martin High School. Now, he’s the president of development at Dodson Companies, the family-owned powerhouse behind Arlington’s newest up-and-coming district: Urban Union.
The name is a nod to the urban nature of the project and the Union Pacific Railroad, which has tracks along Front Street in the heart of the development, right behind Dodson Companies’ office. As old auto body shops and car showrooms are transformed into breweries and coffeehouses, the train quietly rumbles by in the background, watching Dodson’s concept for a unique, walkable district come to life.
This venture isn’t Dodson’s first rodeo. He’s had a hand in developing multiple urban areas, including Fort Worth’s own Magnolia Avenue and South Main, and Block 300 along Abrams Avenue in downtown Arlington. Five years ago, Dodson began acquiring property on Division and Front streets with a vision to develop a district.
“When we started looking around after we had success with [Block 300], we felt like there was a lot of demand in Arlington, but still a lot of things missing from the market,” Dodson says.
“We thought, Arlington needs that Bishop Arts or Magnolia, a district that’s walkable and has a mix of restaurants, offices, and retail. Residents are tired of going to strip malls and shopping centers. Give them something cool and organic by locals for locals. That’s where this whole project started.”
Urban Union is now home to several locally owned businesses, including 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge, Legal Draft Beer Company, Lone Star Axe Throwing, and The Tipsy Oak. More are on the way with Cane Rosso and Salter Brothers Coffeehouse & Roastery opening later this year. And this is just the beginning.
As the first phase of development comes to completion, Dodson Companies is looking forward to phase two: a two-story building spanning several blocks along East Front Street set to be completed in early 2021. With retail/restaurant space on the first floor and open-concept lofts on the second, the building will provide even more opportunity for local entrepreneurs and individuals who want to live in the heart of it all. When fully finished, the Urban Union district will span nearly four city blocks and offer more than 145,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office, and living space.
“We came into [this] area where literally hundreds and hundreds of broken-down cars were parked in every direction and the buildings looked like fortresses,” Dodson says. “Everyone kind of laughed and said, ‘Yeah, I don’t know what you’re thinking about that,’ but now everyone sees it and believes in it. It’s taken a while, but we’re getting ready to go big.”
According to Dodson, Arlington’s City Council (like most) seemed skeptical when he approached it with this idea. The area didn’t necessarily look like the foundation for a bustling new district, but Dodson worked with the council to put an overlay district in place, allowing Dodson Companies to creatively change the face of Front and Division streets. The project has since gained great support from the mayor, the council, and other city officials who have watched Urban Union’s transformation.
“Seeing the area developing and becoming a hub of activity just goes to show that when a city has the right leaders and citizens in place — who care about their destination and want to make their community a great place to live, work, and play — anything is possible,” Decima Mullen, vice president of Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, says.
As Urban Union grows, there’s talk of adding exciting new concepts to the scene: a live music bar and grill, yoga studio, boutiques, and even a speakeasy-style jazz lounge. Local muralists like Tex Moton have graced the area with unique street art. The once broken-down car haven is quickly on its way to becoming a walkable district where creatives and local business owners can thrive.
Dodson says that the collaborative spirit between businesses is one of the great byproducts of having local decision-makers and entrepreneurs as Urban Union partners with complementary businesses around the district. To him, bringing in businesses that complement each other is more important than simply leasing space.
“When you call our office, you’re not talking to a broker who doesn’t care about your business model because they want to get their commission,” Dodson says. “We care. We want you to be successful and view this as a partnership. It’s important to us that everyone that comes down [to Urban Union] does the best that they can do.”
So far, they are. On any given weekend, the area is filled with people on patios, enjoying the Texas sunshine and a unique local vibe. And the train? It continues to rumble on through as its surroundings change from car lots and automotive shops to a lively new Arlington district.
