Feb. 21, 2025

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

Candidate List Finalized for Upcoming Mayor, City Council Election 
Richardson City Secretary Aimee Nemer has certified the submitted applications for candidates running for Richardson’s City Council seats in May after the filing period for candidates ended Feb. 14, and the certified ballot was announced earlier this week. Prior to Monday’s City Council meeting, a drawing for order of appearance on the ballot took place to determine the order of names on the ballot for all opposed positions. 

The list of certified candidates, including the names for uncontested seats, is below in the order they will appear on the ballot: 

City Council Place 1 - Unopposed 
Curtis Dorian 

City Council Place 2 - Unopposed 
Jennifer Justice 

City Council Place 3 - Unopposed 
Dan Barrios 

City Council Place 4 - Unopposed 
Joe Corcoran 

City Council Place 5 - Unopposed 
Ken Hutchenrider 

City Council Place 6 
Arefin Shamsul 
Lisa Marie Kupfer 

Mayor (Place 7) 
Alan C. North 
Amir Omar 
Bob Dubey 

The date set for the municipal City Council election for the expiring terms of the Mayor and all six City Council members is Saturday, May 3, 2025. First day of early voting is April 22. 

www.cor.net/elections  

One Major Road Construction Project Underway, Two More Begin Soon 
A new phase of a road construction project in The IQ^® began this week and two more projects are set to start in March. Each work area is either highly traveled and/or centrally located and comes with lane closures expected to cause major disruptions to area traffic patterns. Motorists and bicyclists heading through Richardson are advised to find alternate routes during these projects:  

Glenville in The IQ^® 
All southbound lanes of North Glenville Drive are now closed between Collins Boulevard and Arapaho Road for the North Glenville Drive Reconstruction Project, with the Campbell Road to Collins Boulevard section set to close in March. The project involves utility and paving replacements requiring phased closures, with two-way traffic on southbound Glenville Drive and additional lane closures on nearby roads. Construction is expected to wrap up this spring.  

Main Street Downtown 
Work on Phase 2 of the Main Street Reconstruction Project in Downtown that was scheduled to start this week has been delayed until next month. The work spans from Greenville Avenue to Abrams Road and will improve infrastructure, accessibility and streetscape features. During Stage 1 of Phase 2, all lanes of eastbound Main Street between Greenville Avenue and Abrams Road may be closed to traffic at all times and shifted onto westbound Main Street. Only one lane for each direction of traffic will be open on the westbound side. In addition, Abrams Road will be narrowed to traffic at all times during this stage, and box trucks will be prohibited on Abrams Road south of the construction due to reduced lane size. Work is expected to wrap up in fall 2025.  

Custer North of Renner 
Beginning in mid-March, Custer Parkway north of Renner Road will be closed to southbound traffic and detoured. The work is related to waterline replacements underway as part of the 825-pressure zone improvement project. The closure is expected to last until early April.    

Updates on Construction: www.cor.net/Projects   

New Fitting Center, Golf Training Center Coming to Sherrill Park Golf Course 
Richardson’s Sherrill Park Golf Course is joining forces with premier golf brand Titleist to open Titleist’s first fitting center in North Texas. The specialized fitting facility will give golfers the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Titleist Fitting Professional, get customized club recommendations to match their swing and enjoy a premium fitting experience.   

The Fitting Center will be part of a new 2,650-square-foot Golf Training Center being added at the course to attract top instructors and their students, conduct lessons in all weather conditions, and elevate the overall Sherrill Park experience. Currently in the design phase, the Golf Training Center will also include evaluation/hitting bays and a small conference room.   

The partnership with Titleist and the new Training Center align with the City’s broader goal of enhancing amenities that attract and retain residents and local businesses, further distinguishing Richardson as a premier place to live, work and play.  

Full press release: Click here 

Nursing College Expanding in Richardson 
The Galen College of Nursing is planning to expand its capacity in Richardson after receiving approval by the Richardson City Council Monday for a zoning change via Special Permit. The college, an affiliate of Medical City Healthcare, officially opened in May 2024 at 1301 W. President George Bush Hwy. with 40,000 square feet of leased space (accommodating 300 students); the Special Permit will allow the college to lease additional space within the building to accommodate an additional 150 students.   

The permit approval is in line with the City’s economic development goals to fill vacant office space and build a diverse and resilient economy in Richardson through business retention and expansion.  

Video (zoning change presentation/public hearing at Monday’s City Council meeting): Click here 

One More Week for Students to Enter Black History Month Art Contest 
There’s just one week left for children and teens to enter the City’s annual Black History Month: “Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion” Art Contest—submissions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. Students in grades 1-12 who reside in Richardson or attend an RISD/PISD school in Richardson are invited to use the prompt, “Roots and Heritage” to design a piece, either 2D or 3D, that celebrates African American culture, heritage, and traditions and consider how family and cultural roots are woven into the fabric of our community.   

Entering is easy— artists attach a photo of their work (as a .jpg) online within the online submission form. Submissions are placed into one of four contest groups for judging based on grade level. Winning works will be published by the City with artists receiving $200 plus certificates of achievement from the Mayor and Council.  

More information/submission form: www.cor.net/ArtandEssayContest   

Lane Closures Expected at Campbell/Custer Intersection due to Custer Parkway Improvement Project 
The right lanes of eastbound and westbound Campbell Road extended 300 feet east and west of Custer Parkway, and the left turn lane of northbound Custer Parkway onto westbound Campbell Road may be closed to traffic at all times, as waterline boring work takes place across the intersection connected to the Custer Parkway Improvement Project. The work is expected to be complete by early March, weather permitting. 

Atmos Gas Leak Detection Units to Survey Three Areas of Richardson Next Week 
Atmos Energy crews and contractors will be in Richardson next week (see map for specific areas), Tuesday-Friday, performing safety surveys of our natural gas distribution system using mobile leak detection units that measure and map methane plumes. The units are white SUVs with flashing lights and are labeled with an Atmos Energy logo or the words, “Utility Contractor,” and will be driving slowly in streets and alleys at night.  

As part of this routine maintenance, if a natural gas leak is discovered, crews will investigate and grade the leak. If a Grade 1 (hazardous) leak is found, immediate action will be taken to eliminate the hazard. Grade 2 and 3 leaks are monitored and scheduled for repair based on state and federal guidelines. (Note that first responders have been notified of this activity.)  

Details: 
Atmos Energy Mobile Leak Detection in select Richardson neighborhoods
Feb. 25-28, 7 p.m.-6 a.m.  

More information on how to detect a natural gas leak: 

www.atmosenergy.com/gassafety 

Lane Closure Expected on Spring Valley East of US 75 
The right lane of eastbound Spring Valley Road between Sherman Street and Lingco Drive may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as fiber optic work takes place. The work is expected to be complete by mid-May.     

www.cor.net/projects  

Healthier Texas Community Challenge: Free Drum Cardio Class Sunday 
The Parks and Recreation Department is offering free classes every weekend through March 2 to help you meet your fitness goals (and to help you and your community earn points if you’re participating in the statewide Healthier Texas Community Challenge)—here is this weekend’s offering:  

The 2025 Challenge runs through March 9 and participation is free; actions/points are logged on the free HT Community Challenge app. Participation in the Healthier Texas Community Challenge not required to take either class.  

Healthier Texas Community Challenge website: Click here   

“PM Pints” Networking Event Next Thursday 
Richardson IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free (reserve a spot here)
Thursday, Feb. 27
5-7 p.m. (Networking and hors d’oevres 5-6 p.m., opening comments at 6 p.m., closing networking 6:35-7 p.m.)  

At the City’s first “PM Pints” of 2025, sponsored by Dallas College, hear from Eric Liu, Founder/CEO and Business Development Executive with Luxglo/AM Photonics. Liu, along with Richardson Director of Economic Development Chris Shacklett, will discuss how AI and high-speed data networks are transforming supply chains and powering high-speed optics and transceivers in telecommunications. The conversation will also explore the company's decision to establish operations in Richardson.  

Free Lecture Tomorrow: Lee Young, First Modern Black Texas Ranger 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525 
Admission: Free, no registration required
Saturday, Feb. 22 
1-2 p.m.   

In this Library-sponsored program, retired Texas Ranger Lee Young will discuss his 29-year career as a Texas law enforcement officer and the history of the Absentee Seminole Tribe of Texas, drawing upon his unique heritage as a descendant of Seminoles who fled to Mexico in 1850 to protect their freedom. For adults and teens.     

STEAM Starters Next Friday: Pantographs 
Richardson IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free (Registration required; call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk to register.)
Friday, Feb. 28
4-5 p.m.  

Children ages 6-8 are invited to discover and explore science, technology, engineering, art and math by learning about the pantograph, which was invented in 1603. Can this old technology apply math and help us draw cool pictures in different sizes? Come find out! 

At the Eisemann Center:

• “MOMIX: Alice” Tomorrow Night
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $45-$70 (tickets)
  Saturday, Feb. 22 
  8 p.m.  

  Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in “Alice,” inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic, “Alice in Wonderland.” Join this dazzling company on a mind-bending adventure, as Alice encounters time-honored characters including the undulating Caterpillar, a lobster quadrille, frenzied White Rabbits, a mad Queen of Hearts and a variety of other surprises. 

• Sammy Miller and the Congregation Tomorrow Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $25-$40 (tickets)
  Saturday, Feb. 22
  8 p.m.  

  Grammy-nominated drummer Sammy Miller and his ensemble, The Congregation, bring their joyful jazz back for a fourth appearance at the Eisemann Center by popular demand.  

  Video

• Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Monday Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $42-$50 (tickets)
  Monday, Feb. 24
  7:30 p.m.  

  Concert pianist Jeffrey Siegel presents, “Franz Schubert: The Soulful and The Sublime,” including enchanting waltzes, dreamy impromptus and the dashing “Sonata Opus 120,” with his signature style that blends performance with commentary and history.   

At UT Dallas:

• Emmet Cohen Trio Tomorrow Night 
  ATC Lecture Hall, 800 W Campbell Rd.
  Tickets: $6-$12 (Ticket/event link: Click here)
  Saturday, February 22
  7:30pm 
  
  Internationally acclaimed, multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen, who headlines regularly at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard and Birdland in New York, brings his Emmet Cohen Trio to Richardson in this can’t-miss performance on the UT Dallas campus.
  
  
• “My Bow Bends for Peace” Lecture, Concert Wednesday Night
  Jonsson Performance Hall
  Admission: Free
  Wednesday, Feb. 26
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Mariela Shaker, a distinguished speaker and accomplished violinist, shares a powerful story of courage and determination in the face of adversity, reflecting on the challenges of fleeing a war zone and rebuilding her life in a new country, and explores the transformative power of the arts in fostering understanding and bridging cultural divides. As part of her presentation, Shaker will perform a classical music concert accompanied by her husband, multi award-winning Syrian-British concert pianist Riyad Nicolas. 
  
  More information: Click here 

Folding Chairs Sketch Comedy Tonight thru Sunday at The Core Theatre 
Tickets: $15-$20 (tickets)
Feb. 21-22
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

The Folding Chairs Sketch Comedy troupe presents, “Existential Crisis and You!” aimed at helping the audience find comic relief amidst “existential dread” and the crazy ups and downs of current events. 

Plan Ahead to Prevent Weeds 
If you’re planning to apply pre-emergent products on your lawn to prevent annual summer weeds, late February-early March is normally the best time to do so. City Parks and Recreation staff say that soil temperatures will be quickly rising soon and weed seeds will start to germinate, so it’s important to have the pre-emergent in the top portion of the soil profile so that any new weed will emerge through the product, then wilt and die. Depending on what type of pre-emergent is used, watering in the product will help the chemical reach and saturate the soil.   

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends that herbicide treatments should always be applied per manufacturer’s labeled instructions and only for the types of weeds specific to your lawn. Use caution when applying chemicals around trees, and avoid “over applying,” as this can cause increased pollution flowing into storm drains and waterways.  
 
More information: A Homeowner's Guide to Herbicide Selection for Warm-Season Turfgrass Lawns - Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service (tamu.edu)  

Public Safety Officer ($43,056 - $64,008 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 ($68,220 - $89,556 Salary)
The Community Services Department 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 $26.50/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 Spade, a charming and intelligent 2-year-old Staffordshire mix dog who is sure to win your heart. With a sweet and friendly personality, Spade is the perfect companion for anyone looking for a loyal friend. His intelligence shines through in his quick learning and adaptability. Spade is also very much potty trained, which makes him a convenient addition to any household. However, due to his strength, he may not be suitable for families with small children. Spade is a delightful dog who deserves a loving home. His friendly demeanor and smart nature will make him a wonderful pet. 

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

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