Week in Review, Oct. 3, 2025

Oct. 3, 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

1Finity Americas, Inc. to Grow Operations in Richardson
1Finity Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, announced this week it will consolidate its Richardson and Dallas offices into a new North American headquarters at Galatyn Commons Office Park in Richardson. The move to one of the city's premier business hubs underscores 1Finity's long-standing partnership with the community and its growing role in Richardson's innovation-driven economy.

1Finity has signed a 12-year lease, plans a minimum $13 million capital investment in tenant improvements, and will create and retain at least 500 full-time jobs to be housed in its new 65,000-square-foot space at 2380 Performance Dr.

1Finity is a global provider of sustainable digital transformation solutions for service providers and network operators. Fujitsu, its parent company, has maintained a significant presence in Richardson since the 1990s.

Website: Press Release

Cottonwood Park Ready for Cottonwood Art Festival This Weekend
Crews have been busy preparing Cottonwood Park this week for the City's biannual Cottonwood Art Festival, set for this weekend. The free event will feature nearly 200 artists from across the country, two stages of live music each day, and a wide variety of food and beverage vendors.

Festival-goers can also enjoy ArtStop, a colorful, interactive area where children can take part in hands-on art activities starting at $2 per activity. On Sunday, visitors are encouraged to cast their vote online for the Chalk the Walk Contest's People's Choice Award.

Festival Details

Website: https://www.cottonwoodartfestival.com

Cottonwood Artists Visit RISD Classrooms
Fourteen artists exhibiting at this weekend's Cottonwood Art Festival visited art classrooms at seven Richardson ISD campuses today, spanning elementary, junior high and high schools. The visits are part of the festival's Visiting Artist Program (VAP) designed to broaden interest in, and participation with, the visual arts.

During the visits, artists present to classes, demonstrate techniques, lead hands-on activities, and share their personal stories and creative journeys.

Video: Link

Peanut Butter Donations Delivered - Count Coming Next Week
Peanut butter donated at City facilities was collected this week and delivered to Network of Community Ministries. The donations were part of the North Texas Food Bank's (NTFB) annual Peanut Butter Drive held every September.

A big THANK YOU goes out to everyone that contributed, especially the anonymous donor who brought a very large amount to City Hall.

City staff will be following up with Network Tuesday to talk about the tally of the totals and will post the final count next week.

National Night Out is Tuesday
Richardson will join cities and towns across Texas in observance of National Night Out (NNO) Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 6-8 p.m. The annual event is designed to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help in crime prevention and to enhance quality of life, through block parties, cookouts, picnics and other activities. Participants are asked to bring canned food items for the annual "Can-Do" Food Drive that benefits Network of Community Ministries.

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

Monday, Oct. 6 is Last Day to Register to Vote in November Election
Voter registration applications must be postmarked by Monday, Oct. 6, or delivered in person to your county registrar's office by the end of business hours that day in order to participate in the Nov. 4 Constitutional Amendment Special Election.

A postage-paid voter registration application is available for printing online and at the front desk of the Richardson Public Library. Registration may also be completed at your local county registrar's office, or when renewing, replacing, or updating a driver's license or State ID online, provided the deadline is met.

Website: https://www.votetexas.gov

DART Unveils First Buses in Modernized Fleet
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) welcomed the first two buses of its new 476-bus fleet this week, marking a major milestone in DART Transform, the agency's comprehensive modernization program aimed at improving the customer experience across its transit network.

Following inspections and testing by DART's maintenance and operations teams, full production of the fleet is expected to begin in October. The first buses are anticipated to go into service by mid-to-late November, with 20-30 new buses added each month thereafter.

The new compressed natural gas-powered buses feature upgraded amenities including vinyl seating, on-board passenger information displays in English and Spanish, tinted windows and improved bike racks.

DART received a $103 million competitive grant from the Federal Transit Administration's Low or No Emission Grant Program, covering nearly one-third of the total cost of the fleet.

Website: Press Release

Ride DART Rail to the State Fair and Save on Admission
The State Fair of Texas is underway, and DART Rail offers Richardson riders a convenient way to reach the Fair without the stress of traffic or parking. Air-conditioned trains provide direct access to the Fair's main gates, with just one quick transfer from the Red or Orange Line to the Green Line at Pearl/Arts District Station in downtown Dallas.

Fairgoers can also save $5 on admission by using promo code 25DART when purchasing tickets at https://www.bigtex.com.

How to Get There from Richardson:

Added Service Hours:
During the Fair, DART Rail will provide increased weekend service, with trains operating every 20 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The State Fair of Texas runs through Oct. 19.

Website: https://www.DART.org/StateFair

Arapaho Road Lane Closures Taking Place Between Jupiter, Plano Roads
Various and alternate lane closures on westbound Arapaho Road between Jupiter Road and Plano Road began this week, as street pavement work (joint and crack sealing) is taking place. The closures will be in place from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily; the work is expected to be complete by mid-October. Motorists should expect major delays along this portion of Arapaho during the project; please seek an alternate route if possible.

Lane Closures Expected at Renner/Custer Intersection Next Monday-Wednesday
Due to waterline replacement work as part of Phase 3 of the Custer Parkway Improvement Project, the right and center lanes of eastbound Renner Road between Orchard Ridge Lane and northbound Custer Parkway, and two lanes of northbound Custer Parkway just north of Renner Road will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 6. The work is expected to last through Wednesday, Oct. 8, weather permitting and if no other delays. The southbound Custer Pkwy left turn lane and the westbound Renner Road left turn lane will also be affected temporarily. Note: Every day at 3:30 p.m. there will be at least two lanes open to through traffic. If needed, one lane could remain closed to traffic overnight.

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

https://www.cor.net/projects

The IQ^® Brew Next Thursday
The IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free (RSVP requested here as space is limited)
Thursday, Oct. 9
8:30-10 a.m.

"Stop Solving Every Problem Yourself: Build a Culture that Does It with You" is the title of the next installment of The IQ^® Brew, a free, public series that features coffee, networking and informative presentations. Thursday's presenter is Kayvan Moghaddassi, founder and CEO of Kayvan Consulting, who will discuss strategies to create a work culture where everyone solves problems and pushes the business forward- helping your company grow stronger.

Website: https://www.richardsoniq.com

NASA Astro Camp Tomorrow
Richardson City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free; no registration required
Saturday, Oct. 4
3:30-5 p.m.

Children ages 9-13 are invited to expand their knowledge of space and astronomy concepts by engaging with a variety of hands-on NASA science mission activities.

STEAM Starters Next Friday Afternoon: Kaleidoscopes
Youth Services Storytime Room
Admission: Free (registration required; call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk)
Friday, Oct. 10
4-5 p.m.

Children ages 6-8 are invited to discover and explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) by learning lots of cool stuff with hands-on activities individually or as part of a small team. Make your own fascinating kaleidoscope that creates colorful, ever-changing symmetrical patterns through the reflection of light.

At the Eisemann Center:

• RSO Opens 2025-26 Season Tomorrow Night

  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $25-$85 (tickets)
  Saturday, Oct. 4
  7:30 p.m.
  
  Experience the music of Delius, Strauss and Schumann featuring cellist Andrei Ioniță.

• "Good Things: An Evening with Samin Nosrat in Conversation with Hrishikesh Hirway" Thursday
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $40-$120 (tickets)
  Thursday, Oct. 9
  7:30 p.m.

  Spend an uplifting evening with Samin Nosrat as she discusses her new cookbook, Good Things, on stage with Hrishikesh Hirway. Nosrat will share stories around the inspiration for the book, her development and selection of the recipes, and the culinary rituals she shares with close friends. In an evening about creativity and connection, she will remind us how cooking can not only nourish our bodies but also satiate our desire for kinship and community. Co-presented with the Dallas Museum of Art's Arts & Letters Live.

At UT Dallas:

• Artem Arutyunyan and Friends: Chamber Music Tonight
  Jonsson Performance Hall
  Admission: Free
  Friday, Oct. 3
  7:30 p.m.
  
  A concert of piano and double bass music featuring works by Mozart, Schumann and de Falla with lecturer Artem Arutyunyan on piano and guest performer Daniel Nix on double bass.
  
  Event link: click here
  
  
• Industry Giants Conference Tomorrow Focuses on Digital Art, Animation
  Edith O'Donnell Arts & Technology Building (ATC), 800 W. Campbell Rd.
  Admission: $100 general public, $50 students (tickets)
  Saturday, Oct. 4
  9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  
  If you work in the animation, visual effects and/or games field or are aspiring to do so, this annual conference is for you, with a full day of inspirational speakers, portfolio reviews, figure drawing, Artist Alley discussions, and networking. The event features a lineup of top industry professionals including Kathy Zilinski, who has worked for 43 years as an animator/supervisor on many animated feature films; and Brad Graeber, CEO of Powerhouse Animation Studios, Inc. Presented by the UT Dallas Bass School of the Arts along with nonprofit guild, "A Bunch of Short Guys."

Macramé Workshop at Dialogue Institute Tomorrow Morning
Dialogue Dallas Institute, 1416 E. Collins Blvd.
Cost: $35 (register here)
Saturday, Oct. 4
10 a.m.-Noon

Create stylish napkin holders in a variety of colors while learning essential knots-no skill level is required and all materials will be provided. Participants can expect to create 4-6 napkin holders during the workshop.

Make Boho Pumpkins at The Shire Next Thursday
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 3613 Shire Blvd. #110
Cost: $20 (event/signup link: click here)
Thursday, Oct. 9
5:15-7:15 p.m.

Make a boho pumpkin wrapped in rich, colorful fabrics and topped with whimsical accents that make each one unique. Taught by AR Workshop Garland.

"Inferno: Fire at the Cocoanut Grove 1942"
Opens Tonight at The Core Theatre
518 W. Arapaho Rd. Ste. 115
Tickets: $20 adults; $15 students (tickets)
Oct. 3-19
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m.

This original play written and directed by James Hansen Prince looks at the deadly fire of Nov. 28, 1942 that tore through the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, killing nearly 500 people. The show, which has been performed previously in both Richardson and Boston, explores the events of that tragic night, the heroism shown in the face of disaster, and the lasting changes in fire safety laws that followed.

Richardson Community Chorale Presents Songs of Elvis Tomorrow
Richardson City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free
Saturday, Oct. 4
1-2 p.m.

Join the Richardson Community Chorale for "A Tribute to the King," featuring classic songs from the "king of rock 'n roll," Elvis Presley. For all ages. Sponsored by the Richardson Public Library.

Chamber Music International Opens 2025-26 Season Sunday
St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, 1220 Belt Line Rd.
Tickets: $40-$45 (tickets)
Saturday, Oct. 4
7:30 p.m.

Chamber Music International opens its 2025-26 season with "Violin Superstars," featuring Paul Huang and Danbi Um on violin and Mika Sasaki on piano.

https://www.chambermusicinternational.org

DCMGA Japanese Maple Sale Begins Sunday
Online ordering (with in-person pickup at 3015 Randy Lane, Farmers Branch)
Cost: $45 (two gallon) and $57 (three gallon)
Oct. 5-12
SignUpGenius link will be active from 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 through 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 or until all trees have been sold.

The Dallas County Master Gardener Association (DCMGA) hosts its fall Japanese Maple Sale fundraiser next week, with several varieties available including small trees such as the Mino Yatsubusa Trident and the Shaina, and larger trees such as the Shantung and Arakawa. Tree pick-up will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. only.

The DCMGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting horticultural education and volunteer service throughout the county and is a component of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

More information/sale link: Click here

Save the Date, Save Materials: RCPAAA Electronics Recycling/Document Shredding is Oct. 25
Parking lot of The Heights Church, 201 W. Renner Rd.
Cost: Free for electronics and free for five or less boxes of paper; $5 donation requested per box over five
Saturday, Oct. 25
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Richardson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association's (RCPAAA) fall electronics recycling and document shredding event is taking place soon, so if you haven't been collecting materials, now is a good time to start. All types of electronics are accepted with the exception of old tube-style TVs and bulky CRT computer monitors. Note that "paper shredding" means shredding sensitive documents; non-sensitive paper such as magazines and newspapers, belong in the City's weekly recycling pickup. (Also note that if you shred your own paper at home, the shreds belong in the trash, NOT recycling blue bags.)

RCPAAA supports the Richardson Police Department (RPD) by enhancing awareness and appreciation of the department within the community, publicizing its services and accomplishments and developing partnerships. The money raised from the recycling/shredding event is used to sponsor year-round initiatives in support of the department. These include things like providing meals and snacks during the holiday season and other activities designed to support the well-being of RPD officers and staff.

Website: https://www.rcpaaa.org

911 Dispatcher ($54,223 - $75,309 Salary)
The Police Department is looking for an individual to operate various telecommunications equipment, dispatch and deploy public safety units, notify other support services and provide pre-arrival emergency medical instructions. High school diploma or G.E.D. certificate required. CPR certification and Emergency Medical Dispatch certification (through IAED), TCOLE Basic Telecommunicator Proficiency Certificate and TX Telecommunicator License required, or must be obtained within one year of hire. Texas Driver's License, Class C, 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 six months.

Fleet Porter PT ($20.56/hr to $28.86/hr)
Fleet is currently looking for an individual who can perform general automotive maintenance and assist Fleet Technicians with general repairs and welding on City vehicles/equipment.

Pet of the Week
Meet Smokey, a 7-year-old English Mastiff with a heart as big as his smile. Despite his age, Smokey's gentle and friendly nature makes him the perfect companion. Recently treated for heartworms, he's healthy and full of love to give. Smokey's calm demeanor makes him an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a serene and loving member to their family. Adopt Smokey today and experience the joy of a faithful friend who asks for nothing more than your love and a cozy corner to call his own.

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.