Oct. 17, 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

Huffhines Harvest Fest, Pawtoberfest is This Weekend 
Huffhines Harvest Fest, the City’s annual festival celebrating all things fall, is taking place this weekend, Oct. 18-19, at Huffhines Park. The free, two-day festival will include more than 75 local makers/vendors; live performances from local talent; fall-themed photo vignettes; a food court; and lots of kid-friendly activities including pumpkin decorating and lawn games. Note that this is a rain or shine event.  

On Saturday only, Huffhines Harvest Fest features Pawtoberfest, with dog-friendly activities and craft beverages. Back for a second year is the Children’s Entrepreneur Market on Sunday from noon-4 p.m., featuring products sold by children ages 5-17.  

Details: 
Huffhines Harvest Fest 
Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd. 
Admission: Free; some activities require a nominal fee  
Festival hours:  

Website: www.huffhinesharvestfest.com  
Website: www.cor.net/pawtoberfest

Early Voting Begins Oct. 20 
Early voting in Texas for the Nov. 4 General Election takes place Monday, Oct. 20-Friday, Oct. 31, with Texas voters able to vote at any early voting location within their county of residence. Note that Richardson City Hall is not an early voting location; go to www.cor.net/election for voting information and links to lists of all early voting locations in Dallas and Collin counties.  

Dallas County Early Voting Schedule  
Oct. 20-24 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Oct. 25 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. 
Oct. 26 noon-6 p.m. 
Oct. 27-Oct. 31 7 a.m.-7 p.m.  

Collin County Early Voting Schedule  
Oct. 20-24 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Oct. 25 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. 
Oct. 26 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Oct. 27-Oct. 31 7 a.m.-7 p.m.  

More information:  
www.votetexas.gov  
www.cor.net/election

Ordinance Approved Changing Drainage Utility Fee Schedule 
The City Council passed an ordinance at Monday’s City Council meeting that increases the monthly drainage fees charged to residents and commercial entities. The vote followed a briefing by City staff and a public hearing regarding the increase. Residential fees will increase by $1 per month (to $6.25) and commercial fees by $0.028 per month (to $0.175, per 100 square feet of impervious area).  

The fee adjustments, proposed in the FY2025-26 Drainage Fund Budget, were driven by several cost pressures, including  

The fee increases will add approximately $751,061 in funding for projects. The increases become effective with the first City of Richardson utilities billing in November.  

Monday’s presentation and hearing: Click here 

Proclamation Honors Richardson Native/White Sox Pitcher 
Richardson native and lifelong resident Jake Palisch was honored with a proclamation at Monday’s City Council meeting honoring his steady rise in the Chicago White Sox organization. Palisch plays for the White Sox Double-A affiliate Birmingham Barons and made his major league debut with the White Sox in Toronto this summer on June 21. Palisch signed with the White Sox organization in 2022 after leading his two college teams (Stanford and Texas A&M) to the College World Series.  

The City Council’s proclamation commends Palisch’s achievements and “representing our community with pride, integrity and distinction.”  

View Monday’s presentation: Video 

DART Silver Line Bridge Arch Columns Installation to Begin Monday 
Starting Monday, Oct. 20, DART contractors will begin overnight work to install columns to support aesthetic arches on the Silver Line bridge over US 75, that will give the bridge a unique and vibrant look. The arch is designed to enhance the Silver Line corridor’s appearance and highlight the region’s investment in transit infrastructure.  

To complete this work safely, contractors will close the southbound North Central Expressway frontage road between Plano Parkway and Renner Road, along with the US 75 exit ramp just south of Plano Parkway. The overnight closures may remain in place through Nov. 17; the DART Silver Line is scheduled to begin service Oct. 25.  

See below under Projects for complete closure schedule and the next News story below regarding Bush Central Barkway’s adjusted hours due to the closures.  

More information: www.dart.org/silverline. 

Dog Park to Amend Hours Temporarily Beginning Monday as DART Silver Line Work Takes Place Nearby 
Bush Central Barkway, the City’s dog park, will have amended hours beginning Monday, Oct. 20 due to DART Silver Line-related road closures taking place at and near the park’s entrance. The temporary amended schedule is as follows:  

Bush Central Barkway Dog Park 
3581 N US 75-Central Expy #1000
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 6:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. 
Wednesdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sundays 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.  

The regular schedule should be back by Nov. 17, as road closures are expected to wrap up by then.   

More information: www.cor.net/dogpark  

Lane Closures this Weekend Near UT Dallas for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Silver Line Construction 
This Saturday, Oct. 18, westbound lanes of Campbell Road will be completely closed to traffic between Floyd Road and Waterview Parkway from 7 a.m.-noon for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  

Vehicles traveling on Campbell Road will be detoured onto northbound Floyd Road to westbound Synergy Park Blvd. to southbound Waterview Parkway and back onto westbound Campbell Road.  

Additionally, Waterview Parkway between Synergy Park Boulevard and Frankford Road will be closed in both the northbound and southbound directions from midnight Saturday through noon Saturday so work can take place at the train tracks as part of the DART Silver Line Project. Signs will be in place to detour drivers around the closed section of road using Synergy Park Boulevard and Renner Road.  

Streets impacted by this weekend’s events include:  

More information: www.raceforthecure.org 

Lane Closures Expected Related to DART Silver Line Work 
Work taking place by DART contractors in the DART Silver Line corridor will necessitate the following new lane closures:  

Several Lane Closures Expected Along, Near West Shore Drive 
Various lanes along West Shore Drive between Woodland Way and Kingswood Avenue, at several different locations, will be closed from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. as gas utility work takes place for the upcoming West Shore Project. Atmos will be replacing the existing steel pipe with new poly gas main along West Shore Drive. Flaggers will be on site for the alternate movements of southbound and northbound West Shore Drive since there will be only one lane available for the traveling public.

Other closures during these hours for the same project include the right lane of westbound Arapaho Road extended 300 feet east and west of West Shore Drive, the right lane of southbound West Shore Drive extended 200 feet north of Arapaho Road, and the alley between Sherbrook Drive and Greenhaven Drive just east of West Shore Drive. The work is expected to be complete by late March.  

www.cor.net/projects

Mat Pilates at CityLine Plaza Tomorrow Morning 
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free, including parking
Saturday, Oct. 18
10-10:50 a.m.  

Bring a mat, water bottle and friends for this outdoor Pilates class on the plaza lawn, taught by Club Pilates Richardson.  

Decoupage a Clipboard at Creative Community Circle Tomorrow Afternoon
Millwood Creek Room
Admission: Free, all supplies provided
Saturday, Oct. 18
2-3:30 p.m. come and go  

Transform a clipboard through decoupage, using clippings from magazines, books, scrapbook paper and more. Feel free to bring your own project to work on as well, as we gather around a big table with lots of space to spread out supplies. RSVP preferred but walk-ins are welcome; call 972-744-4355 during regular business hours to sign up. 

Dallas Cantonese Opera Tomorrow Afternoon: The Lotus Lantern 
Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free, no registration necessary
Saturday, Oct. 18
2-4 p.m.  

This Library-sponsored event features a traditional Cantonese opera celebrating a famous Chinese fairy tale from the Tang dynasty (618-907) about a magical lantern. The presentation will integrate music, literature, tradition, and more. For all ages.  

www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• Tomás and the Library Lady
  Bank of America Theatre 
  Tickets: $13-$18 (tickets) 
  Sunday, Oct. 19 
  2 p.m. 
  
  Based on the inspiring true story of Tomás Rivera and the beloved book by Pat Mora, Tomás and the Library Lady is a celebration of stories, reading and imagination. Tomás, a native Texan born in Crystal City and the son of migrant farm workers, meets a kind librarian who introduces him to the transformative power of books. This is the story of author and educator Tomás Rivera, who became the first Mexican-American Chancellor in the University of California system. This bilingual play can be enjoyed by both English and Spanish speakers.
  
  Arrive early to participate in our pre-show activity in the lobby or buy a copy of the book. A Meet & Greet will follow the performance.
  
  
• Keyboard Conversations Monday: “Beethoven: The Young Genius” 
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $43-$51 (tickets)
  Monday, Oct. 20
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Internationally acclaimed concert pianist Jeffrey Siegel is back with his popular series of performances-plus-commentary, that illuminate piano masterpieces by legendary composers. Monday night’s presentation is a celebration of Beethoven’s early masterpieces, featuring the passionate Sonata “Pathétique,” the uproarious “Rage Over a Lost Penny,” the deeply moving “Largo e mesto” from Sonata No. 7 in D Major (Op. 10 No. 3), and the exhilarating finale of his Sonata No. 18 in E-flat (Opus 31, No. 3).
  
  A brisk Q&A concludes the concert.
  
  
• TwoSet Violin World Tour: “Sacrilegious Games” Tuesday   
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $50-$108 (tickets)
  Tuesday, Oct. 21
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Internet sensation TwoSet Violin, a.k.a. Brett and Eddy, bring an unforgettable concert experience of jaw-dropping musical panache, side-splitting humor and everything in between. 

At UT Dallas:

• RSO Outdoor “Sunset Serenade” Concert Sunday Night
  Sciences Building (SCI) Courtyard, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Admission: Free
  Sunday, Oct. 19
  6:30 p.m.
  
  The Richardson Symphony Orchestra presents, “Sunset Serenade: Pops & Movie Magic,” an evening under the stars with an outdoor concert that embarks on a musical journey for all ages with classic pop tunes and iconic songs from the movies. (In case of rain, the concert will be held in the ATC Lecture Hall.)
  
  Event link, parking information: Click here
  
  
• New Exhibit Opens Today at SP/N Gallery; Free Reception Tonight 
  SP/N Gallery, 3020 Stewart Dr.
  Admission: Free (and free adjacent parking)
  Oct. 17-31
  Opening reception: 6:30-8:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, Oct. 17)
  Regular hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays-Fridays 1-6 p.m.
  
  “The Horror Part 2: A Haunting” is the second exhibition in the gallery’s ongoing series that explores horror in art. Part 2 features works by eight artists from across the globe that focus on the mystical, the unknown, the uneasy, the yearning for more than the mundane, and the hope for magic. Curated by SP/N Gallery Director Danielle Avram and Gallery Manager Brian Scott.
  
  Event link: Click here 

Volunteers Needed for Texas Arbor Day Tree Planting Event 
Breckinridge Park, Parking Lot C, 2785 Brand Rd.
Signup link: Click here 
Thursday, Nov. 6
9-11 a.m.  

Help plant more than 100 trees at Breckinridge Park in celebration of Texas Arbor Day and make a positive impact on the environment and our City’s largest park. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, gardening/work gloves, sturdy shoes and bring along some tools for digging. The event is presented by the City of Richardson along with the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee; the trees are being donated by One Earth One Chance and the Suresh family in the memory of their son Rajiv Suresh. 

Double Your Plants, Save Money by Transplanting 
Double the plants in your landscape at no cost by dividing and transplanting your favorite plants to new locations. According to the Dallas County Master Gardener Association, a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, fall and spring are both great times to move perennials, as transplanting in the summer may cause too much stress on the plants.   

How to transplant perennials:  

More information: Click here 

Animal Services Officer ($46,204.08 - $65,549.90 Salary) 
Animal Services is looking for an individual who loves animals, and under general supervision, will routinely patrol city streets, clean and maintain the Animal Shelter. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.   

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (49,502.96 to 73,499.92 Salary)
Facilities is looking for an individual who can perform skilled maintenance, repairs and installations on building facilities, and perform preventive maintenance on HVAC, electrical, electronic, plumbing, pumping and motor control systems. Texas Driver’s License, Class C, required.   

Fleet Porter ($21.07/hr to $29.58/hr) 
Fleet is looking for an individual who can perform general automotive maintenance and assists Fleet Technicians with general repairs and welding on City vehicles/equipment. 

For additional open positions, visit www.cor.net/MakeaDifference.

Pet of the Week
Meet Roxy, a 1-year-old pitbull with a heart of gold. Known for her sweet and friendly nature, Roxy has a special knack for brightening up any room she enters. She’s particularly great with kids, making her an ideal companion for family life. Roxy’s loving personality and joyful spirit make her the perfect candidate to bring happiness and companionship to her new forever home. Consider giving Roxy the loving family she deserves and experience the joy of true friendship. 

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

City Council Links