March 28, 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

GEICO Expanding Again with Newest Office Coming to Galatyn Commons 
GEICO, one of the largest insurers in the United States, confirmed this week it intends to expand its footprint in Richardson to add a new building and additional 1,000 employees. It will occupy a 165,000-square-foot office located in the Galatyn Commons office campus, about a mile away from its primary Richardson location.  

The news comes after a December 2024 announcement by GEICO that it was expanding its existing Richardson office at 2280 N. Greenville Ave., adding 500 new jobs for an operations hub where it will grow commercial insurance for small business.  

Galatyn Commons offers Class A office space in the heart of Richardson’s corporate community, catering to professional services and technology companies. GEICO’s new facility in the development is expected to open this fall and will bring the company’s employment in the City up to 3,000. 

BABIC Delays Experienced Due to High Call Volume 
Brush and Bulky Item Collection has been experiencing delays due to an increase in call volume related to seasonal demand. The call volume for the last two weeks has averaged 695 BABIC stops per day, with several days receiving more than 830 calls—a 115 percent increase from February, which averaged 385 calls per day.   

Currently, items that are not collected on designated BABIC days are being picked up the following day. If your home is one of the properties missed, please leave your BABIC materials out at your normal collection spot and it will be picked up as quickly as possible. Remember to “Think Big” when it comes to BABIC pickup requests. The service is designed for large brush and bulky items weighing 50 pounds or more (but no bigger than eight feet long and two feet in diameter). Smaller materials should be placed out for regular trash collection.   

Delay updates: www.cor.net/servicedelays and on Nextdoor 

BABIC service scheduling: www.cor.net/BABIC, use the MyRichardson smartphone app or call 972-744-4111 and choose prompt 1. Be sure to note if you have compostable materials to be picked up (please separate the compostable material from other materials). 

City’s Annual Trash Bash is Tomorrow 
The City’s annual Trash Bash takes place tomorrow (Saturday, March 29) at two locations (First United Methodist Church Richardson and The Heights Church) and will include a variety of collections designed to help with spring cleaning and enhance our environment. In addition, nonprofit clubs/organizations and neighborhood groups will be out in the community picking up trash and recyclables.  

The following items will be collected drive-thru style outside First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expwy., from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: 

Free compost or mulch (one bag per car) and a “Richardson Replants” tree giveaway will also be onsite while supplies last—one free tree will be given to Richardson residents (one per household). In addition, Emergency Management staff will be onsite with free information.  

The following items will be collected in a drive-thru outside The Heights Church, 201 W. Renner Rd., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.:  

Only documents containing private information to help protect against identity theft should be brought to be shredded. General paper products such as newspapers or magazines are not included in this shredding process. This is a free event, but residents should bring no more than five banker-type boxes of paper. Anyone with more than five boxes will be asked for a minimum donation of $5 per extra box.    

The electronics recycling and document shredding event is sponsored by the Richardson Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association.   

More information: www.cor.net/trashbash  

Richardson Named a Tree City USA 
The Arbor Day Foundation has named Richardson a 2024 Tree City USA in recognition of its ongoing efforts to protect and replenish trees throughout the community. For more than 50 years, the Tree City USA program has recognized cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area.  

To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. Richardson’s commitment to urban forestry and sustainability includes initiatives like Richardson Replants, which has helped replenish the City’s tree canopy since the May 28, 2024 severe storm (see story below for an update). Richardson’s Parks and Recreation Department also works with groups and individuals who want to purchase trees to be planted on city-maintained land.   

More information: 
www.arborday.org  
www.cor.net/Plants 
www.cor.net/RichardsonReplants  

City Council Updated on “Richardson Replants,” Other Tree Planting Projects 
Parks staff updated the City Council Monday regarding several tree initiatives taking place throughout the city.   

Highlights:  

Complete City Council presentation: Click here 

Fire Department Reviews 2024, Looks Ahead in Annual Report 
Richardson Fire Chief Curtis Poovey presented the Fire Department’s annual report at Monday’s City Council meeting, a comprehensive summary of the department’s 2024 activities and accomplishments and plans for the future.   

Notable highlights of the report included:  

The UT Dallas Emergency Medical Response Team, started by the City in 2017, was recognized during the presentation for being awarded “Collegiate EMS Organization of the Year 2024-25” by the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. The team responds to all EMS-related calls at UT Dallas and helps reduce the need to engage Richardson fire apparatus service.   

Complete City Council presentation: Click here 

Richardson Reads One Book Announces 2025 Selection 
“Wild Chocolate: Across the Americas in Search of Cacao’s Soul,” by James Beard Award-Winner Rowan Jacobsen, is the book selection for the 2025 Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) program. Library staff made the announcement last night at a reception at City Hall. Known for his books about gastronomic oddities, Jacobsen travels into the jungles of Central America and up Amazon tributaries for this book to tell the true story of the farmers, activists and chocolate makers who are trying to revive ancient cacao and produce the world’s finest chocolate. He will give a free lecture Sept. 16 at First United Methodist Church Richardson and speak at a luncheon and book signing at UT Dallas Sept. 17.  

This is the 21st year for Richardson to have a “one book” program, a popular event in many cities that builds connections through the shared experience of large portions of the community discussing the same book. Richardson readers are encouraged to discuss the selection in their personal book clubs and take part in RROB-related activities hosted by the Library.   

Copies of the book in various formats are now available for check-out at the library.  

More information/ticket info: www.cor.net/rrob  

Network Presents Annual Report 
Network of Community Ministries staff presented the nonprofit organization’s annual report to the City Council at Monday’s Council meeting. The report included data on services and programs offered in their Fiscal Year 24 (which ended June 30, 2024) as well as a look at their partnership with the City and new initiatives planned for 2025-26.  

Network served 29,673 adults and children in FY24, with services such as food assistance, income support, stabilization (such as career coaching, job fairs, and GED classes), mental health support, senior citizen programming/support, and family and parenting events. Service demand has increased greatly over the last three years—pounds of food distributed in FY24 increased by 50 percent over FY23, and distribution is on track for FY25 to surpass last year’s total this spring.  

The City partners with/supports Network in a variety of ways, including through food drives held at National Night Out and Trash Bash (see Trash Bash story above). Last year, the organization partnered with the City, County and FEMA as a disaster resource center after the May 28 storm, and in November provided pallets of water for Richardson residents affected by the Boil Water Notice.  

Founded in 1986, Network will celebrate its 40th year in 2026.  

Complete City Council presentation: Click here 

May Election Voter Registration Deadline is April 3 
Time is running out to register to vote in the May 3 Joint and Special election, which includes the Richardson City Council election. Voter registration applications must be postmarked by Thursday, April 3 or brought in person to the county registrar’s office by end of business on that day in order to participate. The postage-paid application is available online (for printing out) at www.votetexas.gov as well as at the Richardson Library.  

New registered voters will receive their voter cards by mail. Early voting for the May 3 election is April 22-29.  

Eligibility requirements: www.votetexas.gov 

List of county registrar locations: Click here.  

More information: www.cor.net/elections. 

2025 Emerging Student Artists Selected for Cottonwood Art Festival 
Ten RISD high school artists have been selected for the Cottonwood Art Festival’s 2025 Emerging Artist program. Emerging Artist is an innovative mentoring program that gives art students real-world experience in the professional art world, including being a part of a month-long exhibit at the Eisemann Center and getting the chance to sell their work at the spring Cottonwood Art Festival. One student artist will receive the program’s People’s Choice Award; vote online here through Tuesday, April 1.   

The 2025 Emerging Artists are as follows:    

Berkner High School  
Christina Nguyen
Lizbeth Rodriguez
Ray Hunter  

J. J. Pearce High School 
Rui Lai  

Lake Highlands High School  
Monica Bravo 
Max Young  
 
Richardson High School  
Anna Tran 
Ayianna Wooten
Oliver Vaughn-Hebert 
Victoria Martinez  

The Cottonwood Art Festival will take place May 3-4 at Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Rd.   

Website: www.cottonwoodartfestival.com  

Richardson Today in Mailboxes Next Week 
The April 2025 print edition of Richardson Today is expected to hit mailboxes next week, with information about the city’s new Home Sweet Home program, UT Dallas’ new Gaming and Esports Center, and the future redevelopment of the Arapaho Center Station area. Since April is National Volunteer Month, you can also read about a dozen ways to volunteer with the City.  

Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the city. Ask your local mail carrier if you do not receive your copy and you live within the boundaries of Richardson.  

Keep up with Richardson Today stories as they happen, including video, at www.RichardsonToday.com. A digital version of the print edition of Richardson Today may also be accessed there.  

Additional Lane Closure Expected on Main Street 
The left lane of westbound Main Street between Greenville Avenue and Texas Street may be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. as trees are planted in the median. The work is expected to be complete by early April.  

Lane Closures Expected at Jupiter/Renner Intersection
The right lane of westbound Renner Road extended 300 feet east and west of Jupiter Road, and the outside right turn lane of northbound Jupiter Road on to westbound Renner Road, may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as Oncor utility work takes place. The work is expected to be complete by late June. 

www.cor.net/projects

Registration Now Open for Richardson Disc Golf Tournament April 19 
Breckinridge Park Complex C, 3555 Brand Rd.
Cost: $30 (Registration link: Click here)
Saturday, April 19
Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m.; Tee Time (shotgun start) 8:30 a.m.  

The City of Richardson hosts this one-round,18-hole tournament at its Breckinridge Park Disc Golf Course. There will be three divisions: Recreation, Intermediate and Advanced. All ages are welcome.   

More information: Ashley.Wakefield@cor.gov or 972-744-4585 

CityLine Outdoor Concert Series Begins Next Weekend 
CityLine Plaza, 1160 State St. 
Admission: Free (parking is also free)
Fridays and Saturdays, April 4-May 31 
6-9 p.m.  

Enjoy live music on the one-acre plaza including pop, rock, jazz, R&B, country, Latin, and folk—tables and chairs are provided, and lawn chairs, blankets, picnics and dogs are welcome. For a complete schedule of performers, visit the CityLine website.  

Website: www.citylinedfw.com 

Sample Delicious Local Cuisine at “Taste of Richardson” Saturday 
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, March 29
1-2 p.m.  

All ages are welcome at this Library-sponsored mini restaurant tour of several of the diverse, delicious restaurants Richardson has to offer! Small bites will be available from several restaurants while supplies last. Park and enter near the City Hall doors, located near the intersection of Plano Road and Greenville Avenue. 

Next “Tales for Tails” is Sunday Afternoon 
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free ticket required; ticket distribution starts on site at 2:30 p.m. on event day
Sunday, March 30
3-4 p.m.  

Children in grades K-4 can work on their reading skills by reading to the friendly canine companions from Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs. Kids attend independently for 10-minute sessions with a dog. All ages are welcome to meet the dogs at 4 p.m. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• Mandy Gonzalez Tonight   
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $35-$55 (Tickets)
  Friday March 28
  8 p.m.
  
  Mandy Gonzalez is an accomplished film, TV and stage actor and author, possessing one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. She’s starred on Broadway in the megahit “Hamilton” as Angelica Schuyler, originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “In The Heights” (for which she received a Drama Desk Award), and starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked,” blowing the roof off of New York’s Gershwin Theatre each night as she belted out the signature song, “Defying Gravity.”
  
  Join Mandy for an evening of music from throughout her career on one of her nights off from starring as Norma Desmond in “Sunset Blvd.” on Broadway. Arrive at 7 p.m. for the full cabaret experience! 
  
  
• Jazz at Lincoln Center presents “New Orleans Songbook” Tomorrow Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $40-$60 (tickets) (note: limited ticket availability; selling fast)
  Saturday, March 29
  8 p.m.
  
  Jazz at Lincoln Center brings the soul of New Orleans and the infectious spirit of Mardi Gras to the stage with a cadre of musicians led by extraordinary pianist Luther S. Allison and featuring the mesmerizing vocal talents of Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs.
  
  
• Tour Euphoria Sunday Night 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $31-$61 (tickets)
  Sunday, March 30
  6 p.m.
  
  Motta Maadi Music is a unique live music experience that unites audiences in an engaging, immersive singalong. This innovative concert concept features a Thamizh singalong band, where the audience becomes the main vocalists, guided by an ensemble of instrumentalists and a conductor. To prepare them for this special role, a lyrics book is shared before the show, making the audience the true stars of the performance. Join us for a memorable evening of singing, dancing, and reliving your favorite Thamizh hits! Presented by Prime Media.
  
  
• Leo P. with Texins Jazz Band Sunday Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $22-$32 (tickets) (note: limited ticket availability; selling fast)
  Sunday, March 30
  7 p.m.
  
  Local community big band Texins Jazz Band, founded in 1986 at Texas Instruments, has a long history of producing concerts featuring great guest artists and this one is no exception. Sunday’s show features saxophonist Leo Pellegrino, popularly known as Leo P, all the way from Pittsburgh, Pa. His chops on the baritone sax and unique dance moves alongside his ever-changing hair color and matching outfits have taken him from the subways of New York City to featured status at Royal Albert Hall and international prominence. The Berkner High School Jazz Band will open the show and perform with Leo P. as well.  

At UT Dallas:

• Explore Several Art Exhibits at Free Reception Tonight
  SP/N Gallery, 3020 Stewart Dr.
  Admission: Free and open to the public
  Friday, March 28
  6:30-8:30 p.m. (Regular exhibition hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1-6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays)
  
  Exhibits (on display through April 30) include “Temporal Progressions,” the work of MFA student Shaghayegh Ashouri; “Struggle in the Ecosystem,” by MFA student Hadi Asgharpour; “Unrooted: Embracing Belonging in the In-Between," by MFA student Vajihe Zamaniderkani; and “Family Photos: Queer Representation in the Comer Collection,” a selection of 30 images from UT Dallas’ Comer Collection of Photography. Also included is an “SP/N Shorts” exhibit that ends April 2 entitled, “What Makes You Uncomfortable? Transparency.” by Sheridan Hines. 
  
  More information: www.utd.edu/ah
  
  
• An Evening of Jazz: “Kelly Durbin & Friends” Tomorrow Night 
  Jonsson Performance Hall, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Admission: Free and open to the public
  Saturday, March 29
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Jazz pianist and UT Dallas faculty member Kelly Durbin presents an evening of jazz. Durbin has performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Small Band, and the N’Awlins Gumbo Kings. He is also a recipient of the Sammons Jazz Artist of the Year award. Map/event link: Click here

RISD Annual C/W “Dance Off “Tomorrow 
Berkner High School Auditorium, 1600 E. Spring Valley Rd.
Admission: $5
Saturday, March 29
6:30-8 p.m.  

Join the Country & Western dance/stunt teams from all four RISD high schools—Mustang Stampede, Richardson Desperados, Berkner Ramblers and Lake Highlands Wranglers—as they show off their moves and celebrate the unique RISD C/W dance program. 

RHS Theatre Collective presents “Eurydice” Next Tuesday Evening 
Richardson High School auditorium, 1250 W. Belt Line Rd.
Admission: Free; $5 donation suggested
Tuesday, April 1
7 p.m  

The classic myth of Orpheus is reimagined through the eyes of its heroine in this play by Sarah Ruhl, a fresh look at a timeless love story. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. 

www.rhscollective.org  

Chamber Music International Concert Tomorrow Night 
St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 W. Belt Line Rd.
Tickets: $15-$45 (ticket link: click here)
Saturday, March 29
7:30 p.m.  

For this fifth concert of its 2024-25 season, CMI features pianist and Van Cliburn Silver Medalist Joyce Yang performing works by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Schumann.  

www.chambermusicinternational.org  

Lawn Watering Switches to Summer Conservation Plan April 1 
Starting Tuesday, April 1, Richardson begins its annual summer water conservation plan to help reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation. The plan reduces the times for outdoor irrigation to evening, night and early morning hours on a limited number of days each week. Watering via drip irrigation, soaker hose or hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle may be done any day at any time.       

Website: www.cor.net/waterconservation     

Contact: 972-744-4220 

What to Do About Tree “Tassels” 
Now is the time when spring winds blow oak tree “tassels,” or “catkins,” around North Texas, causing them to pile up in yards, streets and on cars, like snow, and with recent windy weather, you’re probably seeing a lot of them. The yellowish-brown wormlike “strings” are technically known as aments, the male flower parts of the oak trees, and they fall to the ground once their pollen is released. Depending on the location of the tree, the aments can create a yard nuisance, but experts with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service say they can serve a useful purpose as a nutrient-rich, short-term mulch in flower beds, vegetable gardens or mowed into the lawn, where they quickly break down. They can also be added to a compost pile. More information about mulch mowing: Make Mulch, Not Trash | Richardson, TX (cor.net)

Maintenance Helper II ($39,288 - $49,200 Salary) 
The Public Services Department has multiple job opening in Streets, Utilities, Water and Construction and is looking for individuals who love working outdoors doing repair and construction to streets. Texas Drivers License, Class C, required.   

Project Engineer ($90,809 - $131,090 Salary) 
The Engineering and Capital Projects Department is looking for an individual who can manage the design and construction of a wide variety of Public Works and Municipal Projects. Prepare and review engineering construction documents and cost estimates for public works projects. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering required from a university with an engineering program accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology. 

Gymnastics Coach PT ($17.82/hr to $36.77/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
Meet Goober, a 6-year-old Boxer with an endless supply of energy and a heart full of love. His playful antics and goofy personality will brighten up even the gloomiest of days. Goober loves to play fetch, chase his tail and can always be counted on to bring a smile to your face. He's a natural comedian, always ready to entertain with his playful antics. Goober would thrive best as the only dog in the home, as he loves to be the center of attention. He's looking for a forever home where he can shower his new family with love and laughter. 

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

City Council Links