Nov. 15, 2024

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

Culture in The Core Tomorrow 
The CORE District is ready to welcome visitors to the annual Culture in The CORE event tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 16, from noon-4 p.m. at Main Street Plaza, 105 S. Interurban St. The free event celebrates the tastes, sounds and spirit of Richardson and features a variety of international cuisines and vendors as well as multicultural dance and music performances.  

The event was originally scheduled for Nov. 2 but was postponed due to expected inclement weather.  

Free parking will be available for Culture in The CORE at Texas Street and Kaufman Street, with overflow parking available on most nearby streets, including at the RISD Administration Building.  

Details: 
Culture in The Core
Main Street Plaza, 105 S. Interurban St.
Saturday, Nov. 16
Noon-4 p.m.  

Complete event information: www.richardsoncoredistrict.com/cultureinthecore2024  

Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Approved by City Council 
The City Council voted to approve the update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, known as Envision Richardson, at Monday’s City Council meeting. The action comes after a planning process that began in February 2023 with extensive public input, including surveys, open houses and public hearings. A final public hearing was held just prior to Monday’s vote.  

The City’s Comprehensive Plan is updated every 10-15 years and is designed to provide clear goals, objectives and policies for future development and redevelopment in Richardson for the next 20-25 years. It provides guidance for future zoning decisions and also helps inform public investments in transportation and other infrastructure improvements.   

Additional information: www.cor.net/EnvisionRichardson  

Halff Announces New Office Space, Economic Development Partnership with City
The City of Richardson has entered into a partnership agreement with Richardson-based infrastructure consulting firm Halff to help expand the company’s largest firmwide office and grow its workforce, enhancing full-service engineering and related services in Richardson. As part of this agreement, the City will assist with tenant improvements at Halff’s new office to be located in the Galatyn Commons Office Park at 2380 Performance Drive; the company has committed to invest $10.8 million in the first year to support tenant improvements at the 80,000 square-foot space and costs related to furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Reinvesting in corporate campuses is a key component of the City of Richardson’s commercial office space strategy, designed to attract reinvestment in this sector which is still recovering from COVID-19 related impacts. The City’s three-pronged approach includes collaborating with property owners to upgrade amenities, offering tenant improvement grants to make office deals more financially feasible, and prioritizing the redevelopment of Richardson’s high-tech manufacturing spaces. These initiatives are designed to attract and retain businesses and to enhance and carefully redevelop office campuses with new long-term corporate tenants.

Halff will remain in its current location at 1201 N. Bowser Road until the end of 2025 while improvements are made to the Galatyn Commons location.

Website: www.RichardsonEconomicDevelopment.com 

Toy and Food Drive Collection Starts Monday at City Facilities 
Collection bins are being set up this week at numerous City facilities in preparation for the Fire Department’s annual Toy and Food Drive, which begins Monday, Nov. 18 and benefits the clients served by Network of Community Ministries. This year, bins will be located at nine facilities, listed below.   

New toys and teen gifts and unexpired canned/boxed food items are welcome (please, no wheeled toys such as bicycles, scooters, wagons, skates, or tricycles).   

Details: 
Nov. 18-Dec. 11
Bins located at: 

Drop off items during regular business hours of facility where collection bin is located 

OEM’s New Passport Program for Children Helps Families “Be Prepared” 
A new program launched by the City’s Office of Emergency Management in partnership with State Farm encourages children to “Be Prepared, Not Scared” by helping their families prepare for emergencies. The Passport teaches about preparedness through activities, puzzles and games for the whole family. Challenges include deciding on an emergency meeting place and building an emergency kit. Passports are available at the Richardson Public Library circulation desk. Once completed, return the passport to the Emergency Operations Center at 1621 E. Lookout Dr., Richardson, TX 75082, and receive a special challenge coin.    

The program is modeled after the successful Clean Park Patrol Passport program launched by the Parks and Recreation Department earlier this year that helped children become advocates for clean parks.    

Disaster Preparedness Passports will be available while supplies last. 

DART Continues Silver Line Testing in Richardson 
DART Silver Line trains may be seen in northern Richardson this month as DART has resumed test runs of Silver Line vehicles between the Shiloh Road Station in Plano to the UT Dallas Station in Richardson. Test runs will occur Sundays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and trains will run with lights and horns. For motorists and pedestrians in the area, signal arm bars will come down and traffic will be halted until the train passes and the signal arm bars are lifted.   

The vehicle testing includes operating a simulated route within that segment of Silver Line track including stops at the 12th Street and CityLine/Bush stations, with no passenger pick-up or drop-off. All stations are still active construction sites, so onlookers are not allowed on platforms or nearby walkways.  

The testing is expected to last through Nov. 24.  

Website: www.dart.org/silverline  

No City Council Meeting Next Two Mondays 
Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no City Council work session or meeting Nov. 18 or Nov. 25. The City Council will next meet Monday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.  

For future agendas and meeting dates, go to www.cor.net/CityCouncil. 

Lane Closure Expected on Eastbound Arapaho Between Custer, US 75 
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road between Custer Road and US 75 may be closed to traffic at all times as curb, sidewalk and driveway work takes place. The work is expected to be complete by late November.  

Pole Installation to Close Right Lanes on Both Sides of Custer Parkway North of Renner 
The right lanes of northbound and southbound Custer Parkway between the Bush Turnpike and Renner Road may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as new wood utility poles are installed. The work is expected to be complete by late December. 

www.cor.net/projects

Last Week to Register for Gobble Hobble at Pre-Race Day Savings 
Galatyn Park Urban Center, 2351 Performance Dr.
Cost: $35 1-Mile Fun Run and $45 for the 5K, plus registration fees. (Note: cost increases day of race)
Saturday, Nov. 23
7 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (Fun Run starts at 8 a.m.; 5K begins at 8:30 a.m.)   

Support the Richardson Boys & Girls Club and celebrate the 19th year of the Gobble Hobble. The course is flat and features beautiful views of Spring Creek Nature Preserve.  

Website: www.gobblehobble.com 
Registration link: Click here  

PM Pints Next Thursday Evening 
The IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free
Thursday, Nov. 21
5-7 p.m.  

This free, quarterly, evening event series is designed to foster networking while providing insights and advice from local small business owners and subject matter experts. Thursday’s event, co-sponsored by Sunflower Bank, will feature a discussion with Amir Elbaz, CEO of BE Networks, moderated by Chris Shacklett, Director of Economic Development for the City of Richardson. They will delve into the significant growth that BE Networks has experienced in Richardson and discuss how cities can assist startups and connect them with partners that will help them grow and succeed; the role of venture capital in this success; and how a city can create an ecosystem that benefits startups. 

Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided; attendees are encouraged to register in advance.   

Website/registration: Click here

North Dallas Trombone Choir Tomorrow 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Nov. 16
2-3 p.m.  

The North Dallas Trombone Choir will present an afternoon of classical, jazz and pop music, for all ages in this Library-sponsored event. The choir is an all-volunteer, trombone-exclusive group of musicians and performs in a wide range of musical styles. Note: Park and enter at the City Hall entrance, near the intersection of Plano Road and Greenville Avenue. 

Smart Art! Tuesday 
Youth Services Storytime Room
Cost: Free; registration required (Register by calling 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk)
Tuesday, Nov. 19
7-7:45 p.m.  

At the Library’s monthly Smart Art! sessions, children ages 9-12 are invited to get creative and learn something new as they try different art tips, tricks and techniques. They learn all about art and create their own unique work inspired by artists, art styles, art history and more. This month, they’ll create a paper collage landscape and share what “home for the holidays” looks like to them!  

At the Eisemann Center:

• Matthew Whitaker Quintet Tomorrow Night
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $35-$55 (tickets)
  Saturday, Nov. 16
  8 p.m.  

  Experience the remarkable musical odyssey of Matthew Whitaker, a prodigious talent whose journey began at the age of 3 with a gift from his grandfather. Now, he’s captivating audiences worldwide, gracing the stages of prestigious venues and making appearances on acclaimed TV shows like “Showtime at the Apollo, “Ellen” and the “Today Show.” His belief in the transformative power of music extends beyond the stage as he advocates for music education and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

• “Nutcracker” Performances Begin Thursday Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $20-$25 (tickets)
  Nov. 21-23
  Thursday-Saturday 7 p.m., Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.  

  Prosper-based dance studio PDT Dance Arts kicks off the Eisemann Center’s holiday dance season with four performances of “The Nutcracker.” 

  
  

At UT Dallas:

• Wind Ensemble and Orchestra Concert Sunday
  University Theatre
  Admission: Free
  Sunday, Nov. 17
  3 p.m.  

  Join UT Dallas’ Bass School of Arts, Humanities and Technology for this presentation by the UT Dallas Wind Ensemble and Orchestra.

• Free Screening of Animated Film “The Glassworker” Tuesday Night 
  Arts and Technology Lecture Hall, ATC 1.102
  Admission: Free
  Tuesday, Nov. 19
  7 p.m. film screening; 8:30 p.m. presentation and Q&A with film director  

  From Mano Animation Studios and director Usman Riaz comes “The Glassworker,” an original hand-drawn animated feature film. A young Vincent and his father Tomas run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an impending war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young, talented violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son. Event link: Click here

“Cease the Grease” Collection Begins Monday 
1260 Columbia Dr.
Cost: Free
Nov. 18-Dec. 5
Open 24 hours  

Help our water system stay clog-free (and save yourself hundreds of dollars in plumbing bills) by avoiding pouring leftover holiday cooking oil and grease down the drain–instead, bring it to the City’s temporary oil/grease drop-off site, near the southwest corner of the parking lot of the Service Center at Glenville Drive and Columbia Drive, 1260 Columbia Dr. Bring cooled oil/grease in rigid plastic containers with screw-top lids (the container the oil came in may work) and simply drive up, place the container(s) in the collection bin and drive off. (DO NOT POUR oil/grease out.)  

The City partners with Texas-based American BioSource to collect the oil/grease, which is recycled into biofuels such as biodiesel and biogas.    

Website: Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG) | Richardson, TX (cor.net)  

Richardson Hosts “America Recycles Day” Event 

Close to 30 people enjoyed getting to know Richardson’s recycling facility (Republic Services in Plano) today as part of a free event sponsored by the City of Richardson to celebrate America Recycles Day. Attendees learned about recycling and its benefits, how to be a better recycler, and got to see recycling processing in action. The tour was followed by a complimentary lunch. 

If you missed the event, Republic Services Plano Recycling Facility’s 5,000-square-foot Learning Center is open Tuesdays and Thursdays to visitors of all ages through pre-arranged tours; the recycling process may be watched from an observation deck and educational videos, interactive displays and games are also included. In addition, groups may use an onsite conference room for meetings.  

More information: Click here 

Public Safety Officer ($44,348 - $65,928. Salary) 
The Police Department is looking for an individual who can perform nonemergency public contact functions within the Richardson Police Department. High School diploma required; GED acceptable if augmented with 60 college credit hours. Texas Driver’s License without restriction (except “A”) required. Must be a US citizen. Must be 18 years of age.   

SR Combination Inspector ($70,267 - $92,243 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.  

Gymnastics Instructor PT ($17.82/hr to $27.30/hr) 
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals with who enjoy working with people in groups of various sizes and has a passion for teaching. 

www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Check out Rune, a lively 2-year-old Pitbull with a heart full of sweetness and friendliness. He carries a zest for life that's infectious, making every day a joyous adventure. Rune is high-energy and thrives on activity. He loves to play fetch, go on hikes, and would be a perfect companion for an active family. His friendly nature makes him a wonderful playmate for kids and other pets. Rune is not just a pet, he's a friend who will bring laughter, joy and unconditional love into your life. 

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

City Council Links