June 23, 2023

This is the latest edition of Week In Review — a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on municipal events. If you would like to sign up to receive this in a weekly e-mail click here.

Throughout the year, the City Council or City Plan Commission will hold meetings on topics of significant interest to local neighborhoods or the community in general. Links to view all City Council or City Plan Commission meeting documents that may have topics of interest to you can be found here:

City Council | City Plan Commission

Richardson’s 150th Birthday Celebration Tomorrow
Celebrate Richardson’s sesquicentennial at a free event hosted by the City tomorrow, Saturday, June 24. The celebration will take place in Downtown Richardson at Main Street Plaza, 105 S. Interurban St., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. within the CORE District. Activities/entertainment will be plentiful, including two stages with live music; food vendors; and family-friendly games such as cornhole, lawn bowling, bucket ball, Tic-Tac-Toe, water games and more. Kids can also enjoy bounce houses and explore different City vehicles.  

A time capsule that was buried outside the Library during the City’s 100th anniversary in 1973 will be on display (see below for more information) and a new time capsule will be sealed.  

Two parking lots near the Plaza will offer free parking; free remote parking will be available at the RISD Administration building with a shuttle bus providing free transportation to and from the event.  

Following the event, the City of Richardson will continue to celebrate its 150th anniversary with an After Party hosted by various local restaurants and breweries including Beyond the Bar, Guitars & Growlers, Industrial Pizza + Brew, Jasper’s and Lockwood Distilling. For After Party times and information about special food and drinks, visit www.richardson150th.com/after-party. 

Website: richardson150th.com  

Centennial Time Capsule Unearthed
City staff and City Council members were on hand last week for the “unearthing” of a time capsule in front of the Library, buried during Richardson’s Centennial in 1973. Since then, Richardson Public Library’s Local History Librarian has been cataloguing and carefully restoring the contents, some of which received water damage. The contents will be on display at Richardson’s 150th Celebration Saturday at Main Street Plaza and will later be on display at the Library. 

Video: 1973 Time Capsule Unearthed 
Celebration details: www.richardson150th.com  

Public Invited to Help Plan New City Hall / Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Update Via Surveys
The City is seeking input regarding the design of a new City Hall and the Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Update through two online surveys that launched today. The feedback will be added to data gathered through other efforts and will be used to guide the ultimate design of both projects. 

In addition to online options, next week kiosks will be available on the first floor of the Richardson Public Library where people without personal computer access can take both surveys. Printed copies of the survey will also be available at the following locations:  

The surveys will be available through July 16.  

Survey Links: 

Websites 

City Hall Design and Envision Richardson Open Houses Next Week
The public is invited to provide in-person input on the City’s Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Update and the design of the new City Hall at an “open house” Tuesday, June 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Heights Recreation Center. City staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. A second open house will be held July 8 at Huffhines Recreation Center. 

Public Open House Dates 

Website: Community Engagement 

Council Updated on Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Update
City staff briefed the City Council Monday regarding the Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Update that began in February. Last updated in 2009, the City’s Comprehensive Plan is designed to provide clear goals, objectives and policies for development and redevelopment in Richardson for the next 10-20 years.   

Community feedback opportunities starting this weekend through mid-July include an online survey, open houses (see above for more details), virtual “engagement rooms,” pop-up kiosks, engagement activities at community events, and programs offered to local groups/organizations through program Ambassadors.  

Website: www.EnvisionRichardson.com 

Transportation and Mobility Department Continues Budget “Deep Dives”
Preparation for the City Council’s July Budget Workshop continued this week, as staff from Transportation and Mobility gave a 2023-24 strategy overview at Monday’s City Council work session, including a look at capital improvements and special projects; the Galatyn Shuttle; and the Active Transportation Plan. The Council will hear about Streets and Alleys, Fleet and Facilities at its July 10 meeting, and Parks Maintenance, Drainage and Information Technology the following week.   

The annual “deep dives” provide the Council with detailed information about current programs, infrastructure and maintenance tasks, along with trends, proposed projects/initiatives and budget requests. 

The City Council’s FY 2023-24 Budget Workshop is scheduled for July 24-25. The public is invited to attend or provide input for the workshop via comment cards (click here). All City Council work sessions and meetings can be viewed live online here or are available for replay the following day at the same link. 

Video: Council Meeting June 19, 2023 

DART CEO Gives Silver Line Preview/Operational Overview
DART’s President and CEO Nadine Lee briefed the City Council Monday of what it will be like to ride the Silver Line, part of a comprehensive presentation given by Dallas Area Rapid Transit.  

Council was shown photos of Silver Line commuter train vehicle construction, and were informed the first vehicles are expected to ship beginning next month. Council members were also presented charts showing planned Silver Line service hours and anticipated station-to-station travel times. 

Other highlights of the presentation included: 

Biannual DART community meetings will be held throughout the Silver Line service area during the second half of July; Richardson’s meeting is planned for July 26 on the UT Dallas campus.  

Video: Council Meeting June 19, 2023 

No City Council Meetings Next Two Weeks
Due to summer break as well as the Independence Day holiday, there will be no City Council work session or meeting Monday, June 26 and Monday, July 3. The Council will next meet Monday, July 10 beginning at 6 p.m. 

Complete City Council calendar: www.cor.net/CityCouncil  

Expect One-Lane Traffic on Westbound Renner, East of Custer Parkway
As part of construction activity for the Renner Road Water System Improvements Project, westbound Renner Road just east of Custer Parkway has been reduced to one lane at all times. The work is expected to last through Thursday, June 29. Please expect delays or avoid this section of westbound Renner Road if possible. 

Mimosa Drive Closed Between Campbell, Melrose; Detours in Place
Southbound Mimosa Drive between Campbell Road and Melrose Drive may be fully closed to traffic and detoured to Coit Road and Waterview Drive at all times due to concrete replacement/rehabilitation work. The work is expected to be complete by mid-July. 

www.cor.net/projects

Last Weekend to See Richardson History Play
518 W. Arapaho Rd. Ste. 115
Tickets: Adults $25, Seniors $20, Students $15 (Ticket link)
Through June 25 (note ending date change from original listing)
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. 

Synopsis: Four members of The Core Theatre meet to plan a play for Richardson's Sesquicentennial Celebration. Watch as they wrestle with what to leave in and what to leave out, all the while covering 150 years of history. Written and directed by The Core Theatre’s Artistic Director/Founder James Hansen Prince.  

Website: www.thecoretheatre.org 

Local Business Resource Roundup June 27
Richardson IQ^® HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free; registration required (register here)
Tuesday, June 27
8:15-9:30 a.m. 

Join the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and the City’s Economic Development Department for the first “Local Business Resource Roundup”—a networking and information sharing event designed to connect business owners with valuable community resources. Featuring a dynamic lineup of speakers, the program promises to be an excellent chance to forge valuable partnerships and build a strong support network. Open to the public; Chamber membership not required. 

Speakers include: 

Website: Local Business Resource Roundup 

Alamo Drafthouse Summer Kids Camp
Alamo Drafthouse, 100 S. Central Expressway
Admission: $5 

During the summer break, Alamo Drafthouse will show a movie for little kids, big kids and grownup kids each week. The selection of movies will range from recent animated favorites to timeless classics.  

Website: Kids Camp | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 

At The Eisemann Center:

• Chita Rivera Tonight 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $77-$92 (Tickets)
  Friday, June 23
  8 p.m.  

  The incomparable Tony Award-winner will recreate signature moments from her legendary Broadway career, from “West Side Story,” “Sweet Charity” and “Bye Bye Birdie,” to “Chicago,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “The Visit” and more. 
  
  

• Miss Texas Competition Events Next Week: 
  Preliminaries
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $50-$125 per event
  Preliminary #1, Tuesday, June 27
  Preliminary #2, Wednesday, June 28
  Preliminary #3, Thursday, June 29
  All begin at 7 p.m. 

  Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Final 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $70-$135
  Saturday, July 1
  1 p.m. 

  Miss Texas Final 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $80-$145
  Saturday, July 1 7 p.m.  

  Subscription/multi-event packages are available. Ticket Link 
  Contestant information: www.misstexas.org  

Volunteers Help Clean Up Crowley Park
Ninety volunteers from local nonprofit One Earth One Chance and professional services firm Deloitte recently helped beautify Crowley Park by collecting 30 bags of trash, coordinated in part by the City’s Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program (CCECP). It was the second Richardson cleanup for the group, having conducted a similar large trash pickup event at Breckinridge Park last year.  

The CCECP welcomes any group who wants to help improve Richardson’s natural areas. All supplies are provided, including gloves and trash tongs, and filled bags are picked up when the project is finished. 

Website: Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program 
Website: www.cor.net/volunteer 

Avoid Being Caught Unaware of Summer Storms—Sign Up for Alerts 
As evident by recent weather, rainstorms often develop very quickly. Weather alerts can prevent being caught unaware and give you a chance to take cover.  

The Richardson Office of Emergency Management recommends the following:  

More Information: www.cor.net/OEM or call 972-744-0900  

www.cor.net/EPI

SR Combination Inspector ($64,356 - $84,492 Salary) 
Community Services is looking for an individual with experience in building inspection and enforcement who will inspect buildings, construction sites and construction components for compliance with Building, Electrical, Plumbing or Mechanical codes and perform other related work as required.   

Surface Finisher ($40,620 - $54,288 Salary) 
The Public Services Department is looking for an individual with experience in pavement and structural construction. A Texas Commercial Drivers License, Class A, will be required.   

Pools Cashier/Slide Attendants ($10.50/hr - $12.72/hr) 
This position is for Summer 2023. Must be a minimum of 16 years of age and must obtain American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certifications. 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Santos, the living proof that every dog deserves a chance at a happy life! Santos is a 2-year-old neutered male pit bull mix that has been waiting for his forever family since March. Despite his muscular build, Santos is a very sweet and submissive pup that loves nothing more than to cuddle up with his humans. He’s also full of energy and loves to play, making him a great fit for an active family.  Come meet Santos and fall in love with this wonderful pup!   

For information about animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter’s web page here.

City Council Links