Week in Review, Aug. 8, 2025

Aug. 8, 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

City Council Budget Workshop Held; Tax Rate and Budget Hearings Set for September
The City's annual two-day Budget Workshop was held this week, providing the City Council an opportunity to hear about departmental needs, proposed projects, projected costs, and to give direction to the City Manager on funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The workshop was open to the public, and an on-demand video of the proceedings is available online.

The proposed FY 2025-26 budget will be filed by the City Manager on Aug. 15 and presented to the City Council on Aug. 18. Public hearings on the budget are scheduled in September before final adoption. The new budget will take effect Oct. 1.

Video: Day 1, Day 2

Website: https://www.cor.net/budget

Miss Belle's House to Move this Sunday
The City of Richardson is preparing to relocate Miss Belle's House to a permanent home at Huffhines Park, 200 N. Plano Rd.

Originally located in downtown Richardson and later at Owens Spring Creek Farm, the house is currently situated at the City's Fire Training and Emergency Operations Center, 1621 E. Lookout Dr. Its final journey will take place Sunday, Aug. 10, from 7-11 a.m. The three-mile move will be a carefully coordinated effort, involving rolling intersection closures along Plano Road and on-site law enforcement to direct traffic. Drivers in the area are advised to plan ahead and expect delays. Upon arrival at Huffhines Park, crews will begin work on a new foundation, with potential future plans for exterior and interior restoration.

Built between 1886 and 1889, the two-story Victorian home is one of Richardson's oldest structures and is designated as a Texas Historic Landmark.

Website: https://www.cor.net/MissBellesHouse Video: Miss Belle's House History

Canyon Creek and Terrace Pools Close Sunday
The Canyon Creek and Terrace neighborhood pools will end their summer season this weekend, closing Sunday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.

Swimming will still be available at the Heights Family Aquatic Center (709 W. Arapaho Rd.) on the following days and times:

Heights Family Aquatic Center Remaining 2025 Schedule

Website: https://www.cor.net/pools

Quiet Zones Along DART Silver Line Now in Effect
Train horns will now be noticeably quieter along the DART Silver Line in Richardson, as Quiet Zones for the corridor officially went into effect today at noon.

The Quiet Zones are part of a regional safety initiative coordinated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and cities along the Silver Line alignment. During testing, trains were required to sound their horns as they approached rail crossings to alert motorists and pedestrians. With the activation of Quiet Zones in Richardson, train horns will no longer sound routinely at crossings within city limits.

Horns will still be used in specific safety situations, such as when a person, vehicle, or object is on or near the tracks.

The DART Silver Line is a 26-mile commuter rail connecting DFW Airport to Plano, passing through Richardson and six other cities. The line is scheduled to open for passenger service in October.

Website: DART.org/SilverLine

Buses to Replace DART Red and Orange Line Trains North of Galatyn Station this Weekend
DART rail riders traveling between the Galatyn Park and Parker Road stations should plan for extra travel time this weekend, as shuttle buses will replace trains between those stations beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, through 2 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11.

The temporary change will allow DART to complete construction and systems testing for the new 12th Street Station in Plano, supporting both light rail enhancements and the upcoming Silver Line commuter rail service.

Shuttle buses will pick up passengers at Galatyn Park Station and stop at CityLine/Bush and Downtown Plano stations before reaching Parker Road Station. Riders should board at the red "Rail Disruption" signs at each affected station. DART concierges will be on-site to assist passengers and help with connections throughout the weekend.

Buses will operate every 20 minutes in each direction during the following times:

Normal Red and Orange Line train service will resume at 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11.

Website: DART Silver Line

Share Road Safety Concerns Via City's "Safer Streets" Survey
The City of Richardson is seeking public input in the development of a citywide Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries on local roadways. The plan will address safety for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, micromobility users, and public transit riders.

The survey includes responses on safety concerns, identifying problem areas, and suggesting possible solutions. A community survey (link below) will be open Aug. 1-Sept. 30, and an in-person public meeting will be held Aug. 26.

Public Meeting Details
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 26
Location: City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Feedback gathered through the survey and meeting will help identify and prioritize strategies and projects to improve safety across the city. The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program.

Link: Road Safety Survey

City's Corporate Challenge Kicks Off Today
If you're traveling in the area around Huffhines Park this evening, expect heavier traffic as the annual Richardson Corporate Challenge kicks off tonight. Corporate Challenge is coordinated by the City's Parks and Recreation Department and brings together employees of 46 local companies to raise money for Special Olympics Texas. Since its inception in 1998, the event has raised more than $3.45 million.

Website: Corporate Challenge

National Night Out Registration Now Open
The Richardson Police Department has opened registration for Richardson's 2025 National Night Out (NNO), the annual police/community partnership event focused on strengthening crime prevention through neighborhood connections. This year's celebration will take place Tuesday, Oct. 7-just eight weeks away.

Neighborhood leaders are encouraged to visit the City's website for event details and to register their block parties. Police officers, City officials, and special guests will visit all registered NNO locations.

This marks Richardson's 36th year participating in NNO. Last year, the City earned first place nationwide among cities of similar size for number of participants and events.

Registration closes Sept. 19.

Website/video/registration: National Night Out

Police Contact National Night Out: Community Relations Unit, 972-744-4955

Traffic Shift Scheduled for Monday Near Aldridge Elementary
Northbound traffic on Custer Parkway from Pleasant Valley Lane to Renner Road will be shifted back to the northbound lanes beginning Monday, Aug. 11. Northbound traffic was shifted to the southbound lanes in May so waterline work could take place as part of Phase 3 of the Custer Parkway Improvement Project.

The first day of school for Plano ISD is Tuesday, Aug. 12. Shifting the traffic back to the northbound lanes will avoid traffic impacts for parents who are picking up and dropping off students at Aldridge.

More information: https://www.cor.net/CusterParkway

Spring Valley/Abrams Intersection to Become 4-Way Stop for Several Months
The intersection of Spring Valley Road and Abrams Road will temporarily become a 4-way stop due to intersection improvement work scheduled to begin there late next week. The work, which includes realigning Abrams Road approach lanes, updating barrier free ramps and crosswalks and replacing traffic signals, is expected to last 4-5 months. Drivers should expect traffic delays in the area and plan accordingly.

https://www.cor.net/Projects

RROB Author Luncheon at UT Dallas Set for Sept. 17; Tickets on Sale Monday
Crow Museum of Asian Art, UT Dallas campus, 800 W. Campbell Rd.
Tickets: $35 each, includes lunch and parking (ticket link: click here beginning Aug. 11)
Wednesday, Sept. 17
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Join Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) for the annual Author Luncheon and Book Signing, this year featuring Rowan Jacobsen, author of the 2025 RROB selection, "Wild Chocolate." Check-in begins at 10:45 a.m. with doors opening and a catered lunch at 11 a.m. The program will begin at 11:30 a.m. Guests will enjoy an intimate interview with Jacobsen, who will take questions from attendees and be available afterward for book signings. Ticket purchase deadline is Sept. 10.

Questions? E-mail [email protected]

Website: Richardson Reads One Book | Richardson, TX

City Golf Championship is Aug. 16-17; Sign-ups End Next Wednesday
Sherrill Park Golf Course, 2001 E. Lookout Dr. (Course #1 and #2)
Cost: $150 for residents (or $100 and two card punches); $180 nonresidents
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17
7:30 a.m. tee times

The Richardson City Championship tees off next Saturday morning with an individual stroke play format over five flights plus a senior division. Sign up by Aug. 13 at the Sherrill Park golf pro shop in person or by calling 972-234-1416.

Creative Community Circle Tomorrow Afternoon
Millwood Creek Room
Cost: Free (Registration required; call 972-744-4355)
Saturday, Aug. 9
2-3:30 p.m. come and go

Come gather around a big table and craft alongside other artists/creatives/crafters! Bring your latest art, craft, sewing or other creative project (including digital) to work on and/or learn how to make an easy, upcycled craft of the month using repurposed materials. This month's craft is a one-of-a-kind magnet. For adults and teens.

Teen Program: Candy Sushi (Chocolate Edition) Tomorrow Afternoon
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd. Ste. 525
Cost: Free; no registration required
Saturday, Aug. 9
3-4 p.m.

Learn to craft delicious sushi masterpieces using sweet ingredients like Rice Krispies treats, melted chocolate and various candies. For teens ages 13-18 only.

At the Eisemann Center:

• Annual Summer Refresh Underway; Next Shows Aug. 16
  The Eisemann Center is in the midst of its annual refresh. Every summer for 2-3 weeks, events are put on hold as the entire Eisemann Center staff deep clean, tighten up, repair and refresh the building and its contents.
  Upcoming performances include:
  • Benise: 25 Years of Passion, Aug. 16
  • Piano Men: Generations, Aug. 16
  • The Collingsworth Family, Aug. 23
  • Waterloo: A Celebration of ABBA, Aug. 30

Tickets to all Eisemann Center events are available at the Eisemann Center Ticket Office.

https://www.eisemanncenter.com

"Be My Baby" Opens Tonight at RTC
Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W. Arapaho Ste. 113
Tickets: $22-$24 (tickets)
Aug. 8-31
Thursdays 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.

In this 2005 romantic comedy by Ken Ludwig, we meet John, an irascible Scotsman, and Maude, an uptight English woman, both in their late 50s and who despise each other but come together when his ward marries her niece. When the young couple decides to adopt a newborn baby, the older couple has to travel 6,000 miles to California to pick up the child and bring her safely home to Scotland-the journey of a lifetime.

https://www.richardsontheatrecentre.net

Bicycle Coalition Helps Clean Up Galatyn Nature Preserve
Volunteers from the Richardson Bicycle Coalition cleaned up trash in Galatyn Nature Preserve last weekend, as part of the City's Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program. The group, assisted by members from Richardson "Pickup and Pints" Community Cleanup, filled several large bags with trash and recyclables.

The Corporate & Community Environmental Cleanup Program is open to any group who wants to help beautify Richardson. All supplies are provided, including gloves and trash tongs, and filled bags are picked up when the project is finished.

Website: Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program | Richardson, TX

"Sprinkler Systems 201" Free Online Class Tomorrow
Online
Admission: Free (viewing link: Click here)
Saturday, Aug. 9
9-10:30 a.m.

In this virtual "Texas Smartscape^®" event sponsored by Dallas Water Utilities, learn how to determine your sprinkler system's optimal run-time by conducting a simple catch can test, and how to operate your controller to cycle and soak to better and more accurately apply water to your home landscape. The class will also talk about new irrigation technology that allows you to control your system remotely and components that help reduce flow pressure and better and more accurately apply water to your lawn.

Texas SmartScape^® was created by the North Central Texas Council of Governments to teach residents in North Central and West Texas how to create landscapes that will survive spring rains, summer drought and winter cold snaps, while also protecting our water resources.

Crime Scene Technician ($47,561 to $74,613)
The Police Department is looking for an individual who can collect evidence at crime scenes, both physical and photographic, maintain fingerprint records, compare latents, identify persons through finger and palm prints, process items from crime scenes for prints, provide witness testimony in court and perform other related work as required.

Facilities Maintenance Specialist (48,296.04 to 71,706.96 Salary)
Facilities Maintenance ns 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.

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.

https://www.cor.net/jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Sky, a sweet 5-year-old mixed breed who brings joy to everyone she meets. Known for her friendly demeanor, Sky loves to be around people, making her a perfect companion. She enjoys playful activities and is always eager to please, showing her affectionate nature. Sky would thrive in a loving home where she can share her boundless love and enthusiasm for life.

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

City Council Links

Council Members
Meeting Agendas and Documents
Videos

To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit https://www.cor.net/WIR.