April 18, 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

Municipal Closings for Easter Holiday 
The Animal Shelter and Sherrill Park Golf Course will remain open on Easter Sunday. All other City facilities that are typically open on Sundays will be closed and will reopen Monday following their normal operating schedules.

For more details, visit www.cor.net/holidayschedule.

Richardson Replants Hosts Second Tree Giveaway 
The City’s Richardson Replants program hosted its second tree giveaway of the spring season last Saturday at Mimosa Park. In total, 126 trees were given away. The third giveaway will be held next Friday afternoon at Terrace Park. The City is also planting trees at Terrace Park for Arbor Day. 

Richardson Replants Spring Giveaway #3 Details: 
Terrace Park, 200 N. Lois Ln.
One free tree per household with proof of residency (such as driver’s license or water bill) 
Friday, April 25
1-3:30 p.m. (while supplies last)
Types of Trees Available: Chinkapin Oak, Desert Willow and Peach   

Richardson Replants is an initiative of the Mayor and City Council to address the significant tree loss the city experienced as a result of storms/hurricane-force winds on May 28, 2024. The program receives support from the Richardson Rotary Club and nonprofit One Earth One Chance. Five hundred trees were given to the community in fall 2024; in total, 1,000 trees will be given out, with an additional 100 trees planted in City parks.  

Website: www.cor.net/richardsonreplants  

Richardson Makes Top 20 List of Best Places to Live in America 
Ranking and review company Niche.com has named Richardson to its list of Best Cities to Live in America, ranking Richardson #14 out of 229 U.S. cities. The rankings were based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities and local amenities, using data from the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other sources. 

Richardson received high marks for its diversity, highly rated public schools, nightlife, and health and fitness. Using the same data, Niche.com also ranked Richardson the 14th Best City to Raise a Family in America and 16th on the list of Best Cities to Retire in America. 

Richardson regularly ranks among the best places in our population category to live, work, and retire.  

Complete list: Click here 
 

Early Voting Begins April 22 for May 3 City Council, School Board Election 
Early voting for the May 3 Joint and Special Election begins Tuesday, April 22 and runs through Tuesday, April 29 (there is no voting on Monday, April 21 due to San Jacinto Day, a state holiday).  

No voting will take place at Richardson City Hall.  

Early voting locations in Richardson include: 

Collin County 

Dallas County 

Voters can vote at any early voting location in the county in which they reside. 

Mail-in ballot application deadline is April 22. Election Day voting will take place Saturday, May 3.   

Full listing of all early voting polling locations and hours: 

Collin County: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Elections 

Dallas County: https://www.dallascountyvotes.org/  

www.cor.net/elections 

www.votetexas.gov   

League of Women Voters Candidate Forum Available for Viewing 
The League of Women Voters City Council candidate forum held Wednesday at the Eisemann Center is available to view on-demand. The forum included questions for contested seats, as well as an invitation to all candidates to speak.  

An unedited video is available to view on the League of Women Voters and City’s website through the links below.  

League of Women Voters: www.lwvrichardson.org 

LWV Candidate Forum on City’s Website: https://richardsontx.new.swagit.com/videos/340464.  

Art Concept Unveiled for New City Hall/Municipal Complex Public Art 
The public art concept selected for Richardson’s new City Hall/Municipal Complex was unveiled at Monday’s City Council meeting. Designed by NYC-based artist and architect Marc Fornes, the piece was chosen from three finalists, narrowed down from more than 100 submissions, and will be installed in the space between the existing fountain and the front of the new City Hall.  

Fornes and his studio, TheVeryMany, are internationally recognized for their expansive, flowing “thin shell” structures, with public art installations featured in cities around the world. In Texas, their work can be found at Texas Tech University and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.  

Integrating public art into new municipal construction is a key tenet of the City’s Public Art Master Plan. The Artist Selection Committee for the project included representatives from the Cultural Arts Commission, Richardson Civic Art Society, UT Dallas faculty, and City staff to ensure strong community involvement in the process.  

The installation is projected for completion in fall 2026.  

Monday’s presentation: Click here 
 

Traffic Signal Box Art Submissions Due Thursday 
Artists wishing to enter the City’s fourth annual Traffic Signal Box Art Contest have until Thursday, April 24, to submit their entries online. “Butterflies” is the theme for this year’s contest, co-sponsored by the Richardson Rotary Club, and winning entries will be wrapped on traffic signal boxes at select intersections throughout Richardson.  In addition, artists with winning entries will receive $200, a certificate, and have their work published in Richardson Today and other municipal communication channels.    

The contest is open to individual artists of all ages. A selection committee will review submissions and select finalists. Five winners will be determined according to three main criteria—creativity, adherence to the theme and artistic merit.   

All completed applications and artwork submissions for the 2025 contest are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 24.    

Website: www.cor.net/boxart 

City Council Updated on Environmental Partnership Initiatives 
City staff gave an update at Monday’s City Council meeting regarding past and future environmental outreach activities and partnerships the City has undertaken regarding water conservation, planting/beautification and recycling. The outreach is part of the City’s Environmental Partnership Initiative (EPI) established by the City Council in 2016 to increase environmental awareness and promote opportunities for people to take part in community-based environmental programs.   

Outreach activities undertaken in 2024 included information tables at several City events as well as an Irrigation 101 workshop at the Senior Center, a Lunch & Learn event at Richardson’s recycler (Republic Services), and a hands-on learning activity about water pollution at the City’s summer camp program in conjunction with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).  

Upcoming activities include: 

Full presentation: Click here 

City’s Spring Neighborhood Leadership Workshop Held 
On Tuesday, the City’s 2025 Spring Neighborhood Leadership Workshop was held, providing networking opportunities for neighborhood and homeowner association leaders. At the event, attendees heard from Richardson Police Department staff about police department activity in neighborhoods and Community Services staff presented about other city-wide neighborhood-centric programming.   

Developing and maintaining relationships with the associations is essential to the goals of the City Council by ensuring Richardson explores unique initiatives to attract, engage and retain residents.  

Website: Homeowner Associations | Richardson, TX (cor.net) 

Police Explorer Post Wins Metroplex Challenge Awards 
Richardson Police Department’s Richardson Police Explorer Post #761 took home several honors recently at the Metroplex Challenge held in Grand Prairie. Thanks to hard work, dedication and teamwork, the group brought home awards in multiple categories: 

Richardson’s Explorer program provides hands-on career activities for young men and women ages 14-20 who are interested in law enforcement careers.  

More information: Click here 

Lane Closure Expected at Arapaho/Greenville Intersection
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road at Greenville Avenue may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as utility work takes place. The work is expected to be completed by late April. 

Lane Closure Expected at, near Campbell/West Shore Intersection 
The right lane of eastbound Campbell Road at West Shore Drive extended 300 feet east and west of the intersection, may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as bus pads are constructed by DART. The work is expected to finish by late April. 

www.cor.net/projects

Summer Day Camp Hiring Fair Tomorrow 
Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free
Saturday, April 19
8 a.m.-1 p.m.  

The City of Richardson’s Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for a fun-filled summer and is seeking enthusiastic and responsible individuals to serve as day camp counselors. This special “one-stop shop” hiring event is designed to streamline the hiring process. Applicants will be interviewed on-site and, if selected, can immediately move forward with the necessary next steps to complete with Human Resources staff.  

Job descriptions/applications: www.cor.net/Jobs  

Interview appointment time scheduling: click here  

Questions? E-mail recruitment@cor.gov  

Make Reservations for RWC Garden Tour 
Richardson Woman’s Club Estate, 2005 N. Cliffe Dr.
Tickets: $25 Garden Tour; $10 Box Lunch (click here to purchase tickets)
Saturday, May 3
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (tour starts at 10 a.m.)  

A full day of activities centered around all things gardening. Enjoy coffee and pastries at 8:30 a.m. while browsing the gift shop and bake shop; attend gardening seminars with garden experts at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.; and tour Richardson gardens at various locations from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Optional box lunch is served on the beautiful RWC estate grounds from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; purchase deadline is April 28. www.rwctx.org

“How to Find Local Jobs” Tomorrow
Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free (registration required; call 972-744-4355 to register)
Saturday, April 19
10:30 a.m.-noon  

Discover how government and private job-seeking websites can assist you in your job search. For adults. 

Lunchtime Lecture: “The American Civil War Pt. 2” Thursday 
Senior Center Multipurpose Room, 820 W Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free
Thursday, April 24
Noon-1:30 p.m.  

This Library-sponsored lecture will cover little-known facts about the war, some points of interest about the Reconstruction period immediately after the war, and other thoughts about the period beyond the Reconstruction. You are welcome to bring your lunch. For seniors ages 50+. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• “Liverpool Legends” Tonight 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $35-$65 (tickets)
  Friday, April 18
  8 p.m.  

  Liverpool Legends are four incredibly talented musicians/actors curated by Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, to honor her brother’s legacy and re-create the band that changed the world forever. This Grammy-nominated and one-of-a-kind Beatles show is narrated by Louise and honors The Beatles’ legacy by tracing their musical evolution from early hits to psychedelic masterpieces. With note-perfect vocals, precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments, and new state-of-the-art multi-media, Liverpool Legends will make you feel like you are seeing the real thing! 

• FMG “Dallas Pro Am” Fitness Model Competition Saturday 
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $15-$50 a.m., $25-$75 p.m. (tickets)
  Saturday, April 19
  10 a.m. Morning Show (Preliminary); 5 p.m. Evening Show (Finals)  

  Hundreds of top-tier fitness models from different states come together to showcase their hard-earned physiques, competing across multiple categories for titles and world qualifications. More than just a competition, the event strives to promote harmonious balance between health, aesthetics and personal expression.

• “Beatbox Meets Popping” Saturday 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $25-$40 (tickets)
  Saturday, April 19
  8 p.m.  

  International artists Amirah Sackett and Ahmed Zaghbouni (a.k.a. MR MiC) join forces to bring a fun and energetic performance. Sackett is a hip-hop dancer, choreographer and educator based in Chicago with a signature funk style of dance known as “popping.” Zaghbouni is a skilled international beatboxer and filmmaker from Sousse, Tunisia. The two Muslim artists bonded through their faith and their love of hip-hop and offer a counter narrative to the mediaʼs portrayal of Muslims. Both are dedicated to preserving and sharing hip-hop culture with the next generation and audiences around the world, as well as being examples of using art for social change.

• Keyboard Conversations®: “Humor in Music” Monday Night 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $42-$50 (tickets)
  Monday, April 21
  7:30 p.m.  

  Concert pianist Jeffrey Siegel brings another installment of his popular series to the Bank of America Theatre, blending piano performance with intriguing history and conversation. In “Humor in Music,” Siegel explores “merriment in musical tones” with works by Beethoven, Chopin and Aaron Copeland.  

  
  

At UT Dallas:

• Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration Thursday
  Edith O’Donnell Arts & Technology Building, 1st Floor Lobby (by stepped seating)
  Admission: Free
  Thursday, April 24
  11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  
  This annual event will feature traditional readings by faculty, staff, students and community members of poetry, prose and personal testimony in a variety of languages as well as a performance by the UT Dallas University Choir. The event welcomes participation from attendees by reading something you feel would be meaningful in any language you choose; e-mail cynthia.rogers@utdallas.edu with questions and/or are interested in participating.
  
  
• “Out of Reach” Art Exhibit April 20-26 
  AHT Gallery, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Admission: Free
  April 21-26
  Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday (closing reception) 7-10 p.m. 
  
  This series of paintings created by Daniela Hurtado and Venus Goolsby address the artists’ personal experiences with inclusivity and diversity specifically in the arts and education domains. Identity, disconnect and variation in the mind as well as culture are among the many topics that will be explored, allowing viewers to observe the journey and challenges from the artists’ perspectives.
  
  Event link: Click here 

New Habits to Start on Earth Day (April 22) 
Just as New Year’s Day is a time to make New Year’s Resolutions, Earth Day can be the start of new environmentally friendly habits. Here are some ideas to choose from:  

Water Conservation 

Recycling/Trash 

Clean Air 

www.cor.net/epi  

Drug Take Back is Next Weekend 
Prevent medications from contaminating our water system/waterways by taking part in the Richardson Police Department’s (RPD) Drug Take Back Saturday, April 26, part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The collection will take place at Richardson Police Headquarters, 200 N. Greenville Ave., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event keeps medications from being flushed down a sink drain or toilet and potentially entering our waterways, and also helps keep drugs out of the trash, where pets, children and others might acquire them.  

Start cleaning out your medicine cabinet and plan to bring unused and expired pharmaceuticals, both prescription and over-the-counter, for proper disposal. All solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in tightly sealed consumer containers will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted due to the potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens. 
 
Contact: 972-744-4955 (Richardson Police Department Crime Prevention Unit) 
Website: https://takebackday.dea.gov  

Crew Chief ($54,504 - $76,104 Salary)
The Public Services Department is currently looking for an individual with experience in construction and/or maintenance of water distribution and waste collection systems. A Texas Commercial Driver’s License, Class A is required.

Heavy Equipment Operator ($48,661 – $66,830 Salary)
The Public Services Department has multiple job openings for Heavy Equipment Operator for individuals with experience operating heavy motorized equipment. Depending on department, a Class A or Class B Texas Commercial Drivers License will be required or obtained within 6 months. 

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
Meet Moose, a senior pitbull with a heart of gold. His age of 7 years only adds to his charm, bringing a calming presence that is truly special. Despite being a pitbull, a breed often misunderstood, Moose is the epitome of sweetness and friendliness. He loves the company of other dogs and humans alike, always eager to make new friends. His demeanor is a testament to his loving nature. His age doesn't slow him down, rather it brings a depth of character and gentleness that is rare. Adopt Moose and experience the unconditional love and loyalty that only a pet like him can provide.  

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

City Council Links