Texas Rangers announce plans for $1 billion retractable roof ballpark

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.