June 20, 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

Texas Instruments Announces Plans to Grow U.S. Manufacturing Capacity 
Texas Instruments (TI) announced this week its plans to invest more than $60 billion in building seven large-scale, connected semiconductor fabs in the U.S., to supply the growing demand for semiconductors that will advance critical innovations from vehicles to smartphones to data centers.   

It is the largest investment in foundational semiconductor manufacturing in U.S. history, building on TI’s almost 100-year legacy, and includes continued ramp-up of production at RFAB2 in Richardson, building on the success of RFAB1, the world’s first 300mm analog fab opened in 2011. These facilities support high-demand industries such as automotive, aerospace, data infrastructure, and consumer tech, key clusters in Richardson’s economic development strategy.   

More information: Click here 

Miss Texas Candidates Arrive in Richardson; Competition Begins Next Week 
Galatyn Park Urban Center is buzzing with excitement as Richardson prepares to welcome the 2025 Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Teen scholarship competitions, which begin next week. The Eisemann Center and adjacent Renaissance Hotel have served as the official venues for the competitions since 2014. 

To mark the occasion, the City installed special sign toppers on street signs throughout the area last month, refreshed pavement markings along Galatyn Parkway this week, and welcomed the first group of candidates as they began arriving. This year, 54 candidates will compete for the title of Miss Texas and 45 will vie for Miss Texas’ Teen. 

Festivities begin Sunday morning with the “Visionary” Awards and Arrival Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel, where candidates will be introduced. Tickets for the brunch are $50 and available through the Miss Texas website. Preliminary competitions and final events will take place at the Eisemann Center June 24–28. (See Arts/Culture below for more details.) 

www.misstexas.org  

City Council Continues Charter Amendment Review 
At Monday’s regular work session, the City Council continued its review of proposed City Charter amendments. The proposed amendments were originally presented to the Council by the Charter Review Commission on June 2 and were partially reviewed during last week’s work session. In total, amendments are proposed for 14 of the 19 Articles in Richardson’s City Charter.  

Further updates will take place at the June 23 City Council meeting, along with a public hearing to gather community input. If the Council decides to move forward, a Charter amendment election may be called in August, with a public vote taking place in November.  

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

Arts and Culture Master Plan Reviewed by City Council 
At Monday’s City Council work session, consultants presented the final draft of the City’s Arts and Culture Master Plan, the result of a year-long process involving research, community engagement, analysis, and visioning. This is an update to the Cultural Arts Master Plan, adopted in 2013, and serves as a long-term guide for the growth and development of arts and cultural initiatives in Richardson.  

The presentation included results from public input gathered through an online survey and stakeholder interviews conducted last summer and fall. This feedback directly informed the development of the updated plan, titled “Home is Where the HeART is! 2025–2035 Arts & Culture Master Plan.”   

The updated plan outlines five strategic objectives, each supported by short-, mid-, and long-term goals. The five objectives are:  

Following feedback received from the City Council, the Cultural Arts Commission and project consultants will finalize the document, with adoption by the Council to be considered at a future meeting.  

Monday’s presentation: click here 

Second Quarter Financial Report Given 
At Monday’s City Council meeting, staff from the City’s Budget Office presented the second quarter financial report, highlighting performance from January through March 2025 across the City’s five operational funds: General Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, Solid Waste Services Fund, Golf Fund, and Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.   

Overall, revenues and expenditures for most funds are tracking within budgeted expectations for Fiscal Year 2024-25. Key highlights from the report include:  

All five operational funds are currently expected to finish the fiscal year within budget.  

Monday’s presentation: Click here 

Rotarian, Math Champion Honored at City Council Meeting 
At Monday’s City Council meeting, two outstanding Richardson residents, Nathan Liu and Mary Bedosky, were recognized with official proclamations for their exceptional accomplishments.  

Liu, a 14-year-old eighth grader and Richardson resident, was recently crowned the 2025 RTX MATHCOUNTS National Champion. Competing against more than 200 national finalists (narrowed from over 33,000 students nationwide), Liu claimed the top title at last month’s competition in Washington, D.C., earning a $20,000 scholarship for his achievement.  

Bedosky was honored for her installation as District Governor for Rotary District 5810. A Rotarian for more than 30 years, Bedosky has served with both the Richardson Sunrise and Richardson East Rotary Clubs. Her civic involvement also includes work with the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.  

Liu proclamation/presentation: click here 

Bedosky proclamation/presentation: click here 

Shelter Adoption Fees Temporarily Waived Through July 6 
To help more pets find homes, adoption fees are being waived now through Sunday, July 6 at the Richardson Animal Shelter.  

Adoption fees typically range from $5–$25, depending on the pet, and a $15 microchipping fee.  

The facility is located at:  

Visitors to the Animal Shelter are currently being directed to a temporary entrance located on Plano Road due to renovations currently underway at the facility. 

More information: www.cor.net/animalshelter   

Temporary Lane Closures Coming to Renner Road 
Beginning Monday, a significant traffic change will go into effect along Renner Road as part of the North Texas Municipal Water District’s (NTMWD) ongoing water main installation project. Two of the three westbound lanes will be closed from approximately Orchard Ridge Lane to just east of the DART Silver Line bridge to allow for the use of specialized equipment required for this next phase of construction.  

The temporary traffic pattern is expected to remain in place through mid-September.  

The change will allow contractors to complete the work while preserving mature trees along the north side of Renner Road, an important priority for both the City and project partners. City staff continue to coordinate closely with NTMWD to reduce construction impacts wherever possible. 

Lane and Shoulder Closures Underway on President George Bush Turnpike 
Lane and shoulder closures have begun on the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) between Midway Road in Carrollton and Brand Road in Richardson for shoulder repaving and guardrail installation.  

Work is scheduled to be completed in early 2026, weather permitting.  

Most construction will take place Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., with direct-connector ramp closures occurring from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Daytime guardrail installation is also planned between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with only shoulder closures in place to minimize impact to drivers. 

Free Outdoor “Movie in the Park” Tonight 
Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd.
Admission: Free (no registration required)
Friday, June 20
Begins at sunset, shortly after 8:30 p.m.  

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and relive summer camp days with the 1998 movie, “The Parent Trap.” Movie area will be located south of the Huffhines Pavilion. Sponsored by the City of Richardson.  

More information: Click here  

Sign-ups Now Open for July Disc Golf Tournament 
Breckinridge Park, Parking Lot C, 3555 Brand Rd.
Cost: $30 per person (Registration Link: click here)
Saturday, July 12
7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (check-in starts at 7:30 a.m.; tee time is 8:30 a.m. (shotgun start) 

All ages are invited to participate in this 18-hole disc golf tournament.  

More information: e-mail Ashley.Wakefield@cor.gov  

Tour the Solar System Tomorrow Afternoon 
City Council Chamber, City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Admission: Free (registration preferred, call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk)
Saturday, June 21
2-3:30 p.m.  

Children in grades 3-8 are invited to join NASA Solar System Ambassador Michelle Wilde as she gives a fun and interactive tour of our solar system. Learn about how solar systems form; the sun and our planets; the Kuiper Belt and lots more. Handouts and prizes for attendees! Sponsored by the Richardson Public Library. 

Nite! Nite! Bedtime Stories Monday Evening 
Library Storytime Room
Admission: Free (registration not required)
Monday, June 23
7-7:30 p.m.  

Children ages 3-7 spend a cozy half hour winding down with songs, books, flannels and other bedtime activities. Wear your favorite comfy pajamas and bring a stuffed animal along. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

At the Eisemann Center:

• AVA Productions’ “Total Keith” Tomorrow Night 

  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $40-$65 (tickets)
  Saturday, June 21
  7:30 p.m.  

  This high-energy, boot-stompin’ tribute to country legend Toby Keith brings the heart and soul of Keith’s biggest hits to the stage, led by powerhouse vocalist Justin Wade backed by an incredible lineup of seasoned musicians—Pauly Payne (Keyboards/Vocals), Alan Josephson (Guitar), James Rose (Bass/Vocals), and Thomas Chaney (Drums). From “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” to “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Beer for My Horses,” this tribute will have you singing along all night. 

• Miss Texas Competition Events Next Week 

• Preliminaries  
  Hill Performance Hall  
  Tickets: $50-$125 per event  
  Preliminary #1, Tuesday, June 24 (tickets) 
  Preliminary #2, Wednesday, June 25 (tickets) 
  Preliminary #3, Thursday, June 26 (tickets) 
  All begin at 7 p.m.   

• Miss Texas’ Teen Final  
  Hill Performance Hall  
  Tickets: $70-$135 (tickets) 
  Saturday, June 28 
  1 p.m.   

• Miss Texas Final  
  Hill Performance Hall  
  Tickets: $80-$120 (tickets) 
  Saturday, June 28
  7 p.m.   

Subscription/multi-event packages are available (click here)  
Contestant information: www.misstexas.org

Lone Stars GOT TALENT Show 
Bank of America Theater
Tickets: $10 (tickets)
Friday, June 27
1 p.m.   

The Miss Texas Lone Star Program is a mentoring program for girls ages 5-12 who are invited to star in a fun-filled week at the Miss Texas Scholarship Competition. Each Star represents a specific Miss Texas or Miss Texas’ Teen titleholder, and they accompany the candidates on stage, be on stage and learn poise, grace and confidence. Friday afternoon’s show is an opportunity for the Lone Star Princesses to showcase their individual talents. 

Be Storm Ready: Simple Ways to Stay Informed this Summer 
Recent weather has shown how quickly storms can form. Receiving weather alerts can help you take cover and stay safe—before it's too late.  

The Richardson Office of Emergency Management recommends the following tools to stay informed:  

More Information: www.cor.net/OEM or call 972-744-0900  

Third Saturday Boardwalk Tour at JBS Wetland Center Tomorrow Morning 
655 Martin Ln., Combine, TX
Free with admission (admission is $5, $4 for seniors 60+ and free for children 12 and under)
Saturday, June 21
9-10:30 a.m. 

Head southeast about 40 minutes from Richardson to explore the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, located in the middle of the North Texas Municipal Water District’s (NTMWD) 2,000-acre East Fork Wetland Project. The project provides a unique, natural process that helps purify Richardson’s water supply (and that of other NTMWD member cities) while at the same time creating wildlife habitat and enhancing the environment. Walk the Center’s boardwalks with a guided tour every third Saturday of each month and learn about this special ecosystem’s flora and fauna and the fascinating history of the property. Dress for the weather and bring water.  

No reservations required. (Groups of 10 or more, contact the center at 972-474-9100) 

Website: www.wetlandcenter.com 

Construction Inspector III (47,561.02 – 70,613.14) 
The Engineering-Capital Projects Department is looking for an individual who can inspect construction or reconstruction of public works, developer and public utility projects. Manage and coordinate with contractors on methods, sequence and public safety during construction. 

Traffic Engineering & Operations Manager (DOQ Salary) 
The Transportation & Mobility Department is looking for an individual to function as the manager of the Service Center Field Operations Section of Transportation and Mobility Department. Bachelor of Science in Engineering required from a university with an accredited engineering program by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology. 

Lifeguard ($14.00/hr - $15.00/hr) 
Must be at least 15 years of age with current certification in Lifeguard Training (YMCA or American Red Cross, CPR and First Aid.) 

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. 

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

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