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Former Arlington Mayor Robert N. Cluck, 87, Dies

His push to bring the Cowboys to Arlington reshaped the city's economy.

Overview

  • Cluck, who led Arlington for 12 years, died Tuesday at age 87, the city said.
  • As a council member in 2001 he contacted Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about relocating the team, which led to AT&T Stadium opening in Arlington in 2009.
  • During his 2003–2015 tenure as mayor, he backed the Arlington Highlands retail center, the Viridian community, and the revival of downtown.
  • He was a longtime OB-GYN and later a hospital executive, and he launched public health efforts that expanded access to defibrillators, promoted student fitness, and added hike-and-bike trails.
  • Current Mayor Jim Ross said the city plans to advance a deal next week to extend the CowboysAT&T Stadium lease to 2055, signaling a continued push to protect the economic engine Cluck helped build.