May 30, 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

All City Pools Open for the Season 
Summer officially begins in Richardson tomorrow (Saturday, May 31) when all City neighborhood pools and the Heights Family Aquatic Center begin their weekly summer schedules.  

Heights Family Aquatic Center will be open noon-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; neighborhood pool hours vary by location. Most of the pools set aside morning hours for swim classes; the exception is Terrace Pool, which opens at 10 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  

Admission, group rental, schedule information: www.cor.net/aquatics  
Swim class information/registration: www.cor.net/parksonline

Mosquito Tests Find First Positive West Nile Results for 2025; Spraying Completed
The Richardson Health Department conducted ground spraying this week in areas of the city (see map below) to help prevent the spread of West Nile virus, after a trap located within the spraying location returned mosquitoes that tested positive for carrying the disease. This is the first positive test result for the virus this year in Richardson; the City began collecting test samples on a weekly basis in April. 

The test pool monitoring and ground spraying are part of a comprehensive plan followed by the Health Department to control the mosquito population—other activities include: 

Mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile and Zika can cause illness and sometimes even death—individuals can protect themselves from mosquito bites by following the “Four Ds of Protection;” see below under Environmental for details. 

More information: www.cor.net/mosquito

CORE District Welcomes a New Destination
Oak Highlands Brewery officially opens in Richardson tomorrow (Saturday, May 31) at 500 Lockwood Dr. in the Lockwood Neighborhood.  

Previously located in a Lake Highlands industrial park, the 10-year-old Brewery plans to broaden its event options at its new, stand-alone space and will partner with Fort Worth-based Brix BBQ in offering a daily “permanent food truck” out front. A grand opening celebration Saturday will feature live music from 3-7 p.m. and a 12-selection grand opening beer lineup, including collaborations with Lockwood neighbors Communion Coffee and Lockwood Distilling. 

The Lockwood Neighborhood is the newest addition to Richardson’s CORE District and has undergone significant revitalization, transforming a once overlooked retail center into a vibrant social hotspot. In addition to Communion Coffee and Lockwood Distilling, the area includes The Dream Café, Lizzie Bee’s Flowers, Saint Anita Barber & Studio and (coming soon) Las Lomas Mexican Cuisine. 

Website: www.richardsoncoredistrict.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/richardsoncoredistrict 
Website: www.oakhighlandsbrewery.com

Charter Review Commission Presents Report Monday
The City’s Charter Review Commission will present its final report at the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday night, June 2. The 11-member commission, appointed by the City Council last December after an open application process, has been meeting to review the charter since January.   

Any recommendations the commission makes for changes to the Charter would also be presented at a public hearing sometime this summer, with the City Council then determining if an election will be called in November 2025 to modify the Charter.  

The City’s Charter, established in 1956, is a 36-page document that creates the legal foundation of the City’s municipal government. Every 10 years the City Council appoints a commission to look at this document to ensure it remains relevant and effective.  

Charter Review Commission website: Click here 
Current City Charter: www.cor.net/government/charter-code-of-ordinances 

Arts Grant Applications Open Monday 
The City of Richardson will again offer arts grants to area arts organizations for the coming fiscal year, with an application period that starts Monday, June 2 and runs through Thursday, July 31. The arts grants offer financial assistance for the cost associated with a full season of projects, performances, or events within a 12-month period. Funding assistance is limited to no more than 50 percent of an applicant’s season expenses (more guidelines/qualifications for applicants can be found here). 

Richardson has been providing arts grants to local organizations since 1984, funded by the Hotel-Motel Tax Fund and recommended by the Cultural Arts Commission. The grants are a key component of the City’s Cultural Arts Master Plan. For 2024-25, a total of $375,000 was awarded by the City Council to 22 arts organizations. 

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 31. 

Application: Click here 
More information: Click here 
Questions?  Contact Kayla Johnson, City of Richardson Placemaking Manager, Kayla.johnson@cor.gov or at 972-744-4213 

Service Line Identification Work Begins Monday
Beginning Monday, June 2, the Public Services Department will launch in-field inspections to help identify and document the materials used in water service lines across the community. The effort follows Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines and focuses primarily on properties built before 1966, when the use of materials such as lead and galvanized steel was not yet regulated.  

Residents whose properties are included in this process were notified by letter in October 2024. Contractors will dig two small holes at each applicable property to visually identify the pipe material. Work will occur in public rights-of-way or utility easements and will not require access inside homes or disrupt water service. 

Note that Richardson’s public water system maintains a “superior” rating, and routine testing confirms that there are no lead concerns in the water supply. However, identifying pipe materials is an important step in ensuring full compliance with EPA rules.  

Video: vimeo.com/1089179778/dcefc98626
View testing results: www.cor.net/ServiceLineMap (updated weekly)
More information:  www.cor.net/ServiceLine, 
e-mail AskServiceLine@cor.gov or call 972-744-4111 

Richardson Today Out For Delivery
The June 2025 print edition of Richardson Today has been mailed and is expected to hit mailboxes this weekend or early next week. Read about AT&T’s expansion into Richardson, get the lo-down on Richardson’s Family 4th Celebration and view all the winning artwork from this year’s Traffic Signal Box Art Contest and Black History Month Art Contest. In addition, the issue includes the winning essays from the MLK, Jr. Essay Contest, a winners list for the Wildflower! Student Art Contest and the full lineup (pull-out page!) for the Eisemann Center Presents 2025-26 season. 

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.  

Custer Parkway Improvement Project Advances; Northbound Closure Extended 
Northbound Custer Parkway between Pleasant Valley Lane and Renner Road may be closed to traffic at all times as phase 3C of the Custer Parkway Improvement Project gets underway. This will combine with ongoing phases 2 and 3B of the Project so that the northbound side of Custer Parkway may be closed all the way from the railroad tracks (just south of Canyon Creek Drive) to Renner Road. One lane of northbound and one lane of southbound traffic will be available on the southbound side of Custer Parkway between the railroad and Renner. Phases 2 and 3B are expected to be complete by mid-June; Phase 3C is estimated to wrap up by late July. 

Custer Parkway Improvement Project website: Click here 

Lane Closures Expected Near Plano Road/Lookout Drive Intersection 
The right lane of southbound Plano Road between Braeburn Drive and Lookout Drive and the right turn lane of southbound Plano Road onto westbound Lookout 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 late August. 

Website: Click here

 

Free Outdoor Movie Tomorrow
Heights Park, 711 W. Arapaho Rd., on the baseball field
Admission: Free (no registration required)
Saturday, May 31
Begins at sunset shortly after 8:30 p.m. 

 

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the 2004 movie, “The Incredibles,” under the stars!  

More information: Click here 

Adult Summer Reading Program Kickoff Event Tomorrow Afternoon 
Richardson Public Library, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 500
Admission: Free
Saturday, May 31
2-4:30 p.m. 

Adults ages 18 and up are invited to stop by the Library and enjoy snacks and coloring crafts while learning about upcoming RPL programs, including the Adult Summer Reading Program! The program begins June 1 and ends Aug. 3; participants who read 1,200 minutes receive gift bags (while supplies last), a free book (while supplies last), and get entered to win a grand prize. 

More information: Click here 

Mega-Math Meetup Wednesday Afternoon
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free ticket required (available at the Teen Help Desk starting at 2:45 p.m. day of event)
Wednesday, June 4
3-4 p.m. 

Children ages 6-8 are invited for an hour of come-and-go math action! Share your love of Hot Wheels, LEGO®, Magna-Tiles, and other cool math-based activities. Who knew math could be so much fun?! 

At the Eisemann Center:

• “A Voice Expressed: In Black and White” New Exhibit Now Open

  Green Mezzanine Gallery
  Admission: Free
  May 29-June 30
  Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and during all public events 

  Local fine art photographer David Downs presents an exhibit of his black and white works. 

Reminder: Drain Standing Water After Heavy Rains to Curb Mosquitoes
In light of recent rains and the recent detection of mosquitoes in Richardson carrying the West Nile virus (see story above under News), it’s even more important to watch for standing puddles of water around your home that could serve as breeding grounds for the insects. As part of the “Four Ds of Protection” from mosquito bites, health professionals recommend you drain standing water to lower mosquito-borne virus infection risks.

Most mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, about a hundred at a time, with new adult mosquitoes produced within 7-10 days. Which means, if you’ve got a lot of standing water around your property from the rainfall, drain it as soon as possible to avoid thousands of new mosquitoes.

The complete “Four Ds of Protection” to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses are:

• DRAIN standing water
• Use insect repellent containing DEET
• Avoid being outdoors at DUSK/DAWN
• DRESS to protect yourself with long sleeves and pants 

The Health Department continues to work closely with state and federal groups to trap, test and respond to mosquito-borne diseases through targeted sprayings, educational campaigns and preventative measures.  

More information, visit www.cor.net/mosquito 

Detention Officer ($43,520 to $67,770 Salary)
The Police Department is looking for individuals who can performs all duties necessary for the successful operation of the Detention Division. Valid Texas Driver's License, Class C or above, required.

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (48,296.04 to 71,706.96 Salary)
The Facilities Maintenance Department is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs, and installations on building facilities. Perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping, and motor control systems. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, required.

Gymnastics Instructor PT ($17.82/hr to $26.50/hr)
The Parks 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 Mason, a 1-year-old Mix breed dog with a heart full of love. He's a sweet, friendly, and goofy companion that will brighten your days with his playful antics. Mason is dog-friendly, making him a wonderful addition to a home with other canine companions. He does have some skin issues, but he's on medication and doesn't let it dampen his spirit. Mason is more than just a dog, he's a companion who will bring joy, laughter, and unconditional love into your life. 

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