Todd Tonore, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Mansfield
In an interview with Invest:, Mayor Pro Tem Todd Tonore highlighted the city’s thoughtful growth, expanding from a small-town feel to a projected population of 130,000. Key initiatives, like the Staybolt Street District and a multi-sport stadium in partnership with the Texas Rangers, aim to attract young professionals and fuel economic vitality, while innovative infrastructure projects ensure the city grows sustainably.
What makes Mansfield stand out as a unique city in Texas?
Mansfield is a special place, blending the charm of a small town with the growth and opportunities of a larger city. Thirty years ago, it had a population of just 18,000, and today it’s nearing 80,000, with a projected build-out to 130,000. Despite this growth, Mansfield has retained its small-town feel, which is something we’re committed to preserving even as we expand.
As a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we’re selective about the developments we welcome, focusing on projects that align with our vision for the community. Many of our residents have lived here since Mansfield was a small town, and maintaining that close-knit atmosphere is a priority. Our goal is to grow thoughtfully, ensuring Mansfield stays true to its roots while embracing progress.
How will projects like the Staybolt Street District and the multi-sport stadium transform Mansfield’s economic landscape?
These projects are essential for Mansfield’s future, especially in attracting younger generations back to the city. While we have an excellent school district — one of the top in Texas, educating 35,500 students — many of our young people move to places like Frisco, Fort Worth, or Southlake after college because those towns offer more amenities. If we don’t create opportunities for them here, we risk becoming a town that ages in place.
The Staybolt Street District, multi-sport stadium, and entertainment venues aim to change that by making Mansfield more vibrant and appealing to young professionals and families. Alongside these amenities, we’re adding infrastructure like a new City Hall with park spaces, canals, and enhancing our 43 miles of linear trails. These efforts, combined with projects like High 5, are designed to bring new life to Mansfield, attract a diverse population, and ensure the city’s long-term vitality.
What is the anticipated return on investment for Mansfield’s new stadium, particularly in terms of job creation and local business growth?
The new stadium, a collaboration with the Texas Rangers, is an exciting development for Mansfield. Partnering with a world-class organization like the Rangers is special, especially since their owners also manage FC Dallas, aligning well with the growing popularity of soccer in Texas. With the World Cup coming to Arlington in 2026, interest in soccer is expected to surge.
The $88 million investment in the stadium is projected to generate around $4 billion in taxable revenue through surrounding developments. We anticipate a significant economic ripple effect, with hotels, restaurants, and other businesses emerging around the stadium, similar to the development seen in Arlington. We are already engaging with multiple hotel groups and restaurants to bring this vision to life. Its prime location, just 12 miles from Arlington Stadium, further enhances its appeal. This project not only boosts our economy but also solidifies Mansfield’s reputation as a growing hub for sports and entertainment.
How has Mansfield gained its reputation as a business-friendly city, and what industries are you targeting to diversify the local economy?
Mansfield’s reputation as a business-friendly city stems from proactive leadership and a forward-thinking approach. Our economic development team, led by experts like Jason Moore, focuses on fostering relationships with major developers and creating a welcoming environment for businesses. Our team understands the importance of investments and applies a business-minded perspective to city operations, emphasizing ROI and shared tax responsibilities across businesses and residents.
We are actively targeting industries that align with high-skilled, high-paying jobs. Our innovation corridor is a key initiative, where we aim to partner with universities to create an educated workforce capable of supporting industries like aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. By doing so, we position Mansfield as an attractive location for technical and corporate businesses.
One challenge we face is the lack of Class A office space, which has become a barrier to attracting major corporate offices. To address this, we’re stepping up to build the infrastructure necessary to accommodate these companies. With Texas as the number one state for business and DFW leading as a metro area, Mansfield is poised to capture its share of this growth by strategically addressing these gaps.
How is Mansfield ensuring its infrastructure and services keep pace with rapid growth?
The growth Mansfield is experiencing is unprecedented and was difficult to predict. We’ve inherited these challenges, and while we’re working hard to catch up, infrastructure projects can’t be built fast enough. Currently, we’ve approved 25 road projects, but starting them all at once would cause significant disruptions. For example, TxDOT has started and paused several service road projects in our area, reflecting how infrastructure delays impact the entire metroplex.
To manage growth sustainably, we’re also exploring innovative neighborhood designs. These include more self-contained, golf-cart-accessible communities with corner stores and services to reduce traffic and make day-to-day living easier for residents. This approach harks back to older community designs but incorporates modern solutions to address current needs.
Looking ahead, developments like better rail service could alleviate traffic pressures, and evolving transportation preferences among younger generations — such as relying on rideshare services — may also shape future planning. For now, we’re focused on making smart, strategic decisions to address immediate needs while planning for Mansfield’s continued expansion.
How is Mansfield collaborating with other cities, the county, and state or federal agencies to advance mutual infrastructure goals?
Collaboration is critical, and Mansfield works closely with neighboring cities, the county, and state and federal agencies to secure funding for infrastructure projects. Our financial team is skilled at identifying and applying for grants, but competition for these funds is fierce across DFW, with many cities facing similar challenges.
While finding resources can be a bottleneck, our staff’s expertise has enabled us to secure essential funding and move key projects forward. Regional partnerships remain essential, as many infrastructure needs, like roads, impact not just Mansfield but the broader metroplex.
What is your outlook for Mansfield over the next two to three years?
Mansfield is a city on the move, and the next few years will be pivotal in shaping its future. Our focus is on breaking ground on key projects to attract young professionals, grow the tax base, and create better jobs. While the recent economic slowdown due to rising interest rates delayed some progress, signs of recovery are emerging, and I anticipate 2025 and 2026 will bring significant construction and job growth to both Mansfield and the region.
This is an exciting time for the city, as we’re not yet fully built out, which means we have a unique opportunity to guide its development and ensure it thrives for generations to come. Personally, my involvement stems from a deep care for Mansfield and its future — I want to leave something meaningful for our kids and grandkids.
Mansfield is a wonderful place to live, work, learn, and play. Our school district remains one of the best in Texas, and from the city’s perspective, we’re focused on attracting businesses that not only generate revenue but also enrich the lives of our residents. I invite anyone unfamiliar with Mansfield to visit and see firsthand why it’s such a special place.
