Thousands on hand for grand opening of Texas Live!

Sports celebrities Troy Aikman and Ivan 'Pudge' Rodriguez were in attendance to greet guests and VIPs

After a year and a half of planning, negotiating and building, the first step of the new Arlington entertainment complex opened Thursday night.

Texas Live!, a collection of restaurants, stores and music venues, had its grand opening with a big gala, featuring a concert by local rock group The Toadies, samples from the restaurants and several speeches from the VIPs that helped make the day happen.

“This is the place I want to be when the Rangers win their next (American League) pennant,” said Rangers Public Address Announcer Chuck Morgan. “And yes, it’s coming.”

After a video history of the process of getting to the Grand Opening was shown, the speeches began. Several of the speakers mentioned how important the day was.

Blake Cordish of the Cordish Companies – the Baltimore-based company that drew up the blueprints for Texas Live! – said his family has been in the business for four generations spanning more than 100 years, but the Texas Live! grand opening is one event his family will cherish for years to come.

“There are very few days that are as exciting and rewarding as this one,” Cordish said. “This will cement Arlington as a world class entertainment destination. This city has no peer in what they can do.”

The restaurants at Texas Live! include the Lockhart Smokehouse, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez’s pizzeria and Troy Aikman’s gourmet hamburger restaurant.

Aikman praised the efforts of the planners and believes Texas Live! will be a top-class concert facility.

“The live music at Texas Live! will host a fair number of music events,” Aikman said. “Selfishly, I wish they had build it in Dallas because that’s where I live, but kudos to Arlington for getting it done.”

The ceremony ended with Texas Live! awarding checks for $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Arlington and Mission Arlington.

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