July 31, 2026

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

Silver Line Bridge Arches Installed
On Monday morning, crews completed installation of the arch on the north side of the DART Silver Line bridge over US 75, just south of President George Bush Turnpike. Each arch spans about 400 feet and rises approximately 80 feet above the roadway at its highest point.

Over the next two months the bridge's white and blue accent lighting will be installed, creating a distinctive gateway into Richardson and reinforcing the city's visual identity for rail passengers and drivers traveling along US 75.

Public Safety LEGO Project Unveiled
The Richardson Police Department officially unveiled a LEGO replica of the Richardson Police and Fire Public Safety Campus Thursday night.

Created entirely from LEGO bricks by Garland Police Officer John Capers, the display was made possible through the generous support of the Richardson Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (RCPAAA).

The replica is now on permanent display in the Richardson Police Department lobby.

Council Closes on Habitat for Humanity Property
The City Council unanimously approved the sale of a vacant lot at 604 Vernet St. to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. The house previously located on the property was demolished by the City in 2023 after more than a decade of code enforcement action and unpaid taxes from 1999-2022.

An opportunity was recently identified for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity to build a home on the property, which the City has held in trust since 2025 on behalf of the taxing entities owed back taxes. The project aligns with recommendations in the City's Housing Study, which noted that "more reasonably priced for-sale housing units are needed to accommodate families with children and multigenerational families."

The sale agreement is expected to be finalized this fall. The project is expected to be completed within four to six months after construction begins.

View the City Council Presentation on 604 Vernet St.

Council Reviews Short-Term Rental Regulations
The Richardson City Council received an update Monday on the City's short-term rental program, including complaint activity, enforcement efforts, property locations, and possible additional regulations.

In April, the City Council approved a 90-day temporary prohibition on short-term rental registrations to allow staff time to use new software to inventory STR properties, identify potential health and safety concerns, determine whether STRs are clustered and explore strategies to prevent future clustering. The prohibition, which took effect in late May, remains in place through Aug. 25.

Council approved ordinance amendments intended to help prevent future clustering of short-term rentals in neighborhoods. The changes increase the annual registration fee from $100 to $300 to help cover costs and prohibit new STRs from operating within 500 feet of existing short-term rental properties.

View the City Council Presentation

Council Budget Workshop is Aug. 3-4
The City's annual two-day Budget Workshop will be held Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 3-4, in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525. During the workshop, staff will present departmental needs, proposed projects and projected costs for FY 2026-27 for City Council review.

The workshop begins at 6 p.m. each day and is open to the public. It can also be viewed live at www.cor.net/CITV. On-demand video will be available on the City's website after the workshop concludes.www.cor.net/CITV

The City Manager will present his proposed budget to the City Council on Aug. 17. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate will be held Sept. 14, followed by a public hearing on the proposed budget Sept. 21. The City Council is scheduled to vote on adoption of the budget Sept. 21, with the new budget taking effect Oct. 1.

Visit the Budget Webpage

Application Period for City Council Place 3 Vacancy Closes Next Friday
Applications are open to fill the vacant Place 3 seat on the Richardson City Council. District 3 residents who meet the qualifications to serve may apply through Friday, Aug. 7, at 11:59 p.m.

The appointment timeline is:

Current Place 3 Council Member Dan Barrios announced last week that he will resign from the City Council to pursue another elected office. He will continue serving until a replacement is appointed.

A map of districts is available at www.cor.net/CouncilDistrictMap.

Apply and review eligibility requirements at www.cor.net/CityCouncilApplication. Questions may be sent to [email protected].

Richardson CARES Applications Close Tonight
Applications for the 2026 Citizens Academy and Resource Education Series, known as Richardson CARES, close today. The free eight-week series is open to adults age 18 and older and gives participants an inside look at Richardson municipal government and day-to-day City operations.

Classes will meet from 5:30-9 p.m. each Thursday, Sept. 3-Oct. 22. A reception and graduation ceremony will be held Oct. 26.

Visit the Richardson CARES Webpage
Watch the 2025 CARES Recap Video

Pool Summer Schedule Winding Down
The Cottonwood and Glenville pools will close for the summer at 8 p.m. this Sunday, Aug. 2. City of Richardson pools traditionally close on a staggered schedule. The Terrace and Canyon Creek pools will close Sunday, Aug. 9; after Aug. 9, Heights Family Aquatic Center will be open only on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays plus Labor Day) and will be closed for the season as of Sept. 8.

Visit the Richardson Aquatics Webpage

Animal Shelter Waives Adoption Fees in August for Clear the Shelters
The Richardson Animal Shelter will waive adoption fees throughout August as part of the annual "Clear the Shelters" event. Now in its 12th year, the nationwide campaign, which began in North Texas, helps connect pets with families by offering waived or reduced adoption fees. During the event, the Richardson Animal Shelter will waive fees that normally range from $15-$35, depending on the animal's age and type.

New owners will still be required to have pets spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies if those services have not already been completed. A valid Texas driver's license or identification card is required, and adopters must be at least 18 years old.

Those who are not ready to adopt are encouraged to consider fostering an animal by providing a safe, calm place until it finds a permanent home.

The Richardson Animal Shelter is located at 1330 Columbia Dr. Operating hours are noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Visit the Animal Shelters Website
Visit the Clear the Shelters Website

Fundraiser Supports Pavilion at Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground
The Richardson East Rotary Foundation is holding a fundraiser Monday at String Bean to support "Annie's Place," a planned pavilion at the City's Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground at Cottonwood Park.

The pavilion, to be named "Annie's Place" in memory of Ann Eisemann, is planned as an extension of the inclusive playground and will provide a shaded gathering space for families and visitors of all abilities to enjoy throughout the year.

Details:

A percentage of proceeds from in-person purchases will be donated to the project. To date, the Foundation's "Make It Happen" campaign has raised 80 percent of its $175,000 goal.

Find more information on Annie's Place

Richardson City Manager Honored for Regional Leadership
Richardson City Manager Don Magner has been selected to receive the North Texas Commission's 2026 Regional Civic Leadership Award, recognizing his three decades of public service and commitment to regional collaboration.

Magner was cited for helping address complex regional issues, including a long-standing North Texas Municipal Water District dispute, development of a new partnership model with Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and economic development efforts that have strengthened Richardson's role as a center for technology, innovation and high-skilled employment.

Magner has served the City since 1996 and became city manager in 2022. He will be recognized at the North Texas Commission's Annual Meeting Sept. 22 in Irving.

Eisemann Center Deep Clean Underway
The Eisemann Center is undergoing its annual refresh. Each summer, events are paused for a few weeks while staff deep-clean, repair and refresh the building and its contents. The Eisemann Center Ticket Office remains open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday during the work.

August Richardson Today in Mailboxes this Weekend
The August 2026 print edition of Richardson Today is expected to begin arriving in mailboxes this weekend. It includes a front-page story on the City's Capital Investment Plan, information on the appointment process for the City Council vacancy, an overview of the City's review of the water and wastewater rate plan, photos from the Miss Texas event at the Eisemann Center and information on the 2026 Richardson Reads One Book selection. The Fall 2026 Recreation Guide is also included.

Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the city. Residents who do not receive a copy and live within Richardson city limits should check with their local mail carrier.

Receive Richardson Today as soon as it is available by signing up online for a digital copy at the beginning of each month. Subscribers will still receive the printed edition at home while also gaining quick access on a phone, tablet or computer. Visit www.cor.net/SignUp and select "Richardson Today" to sign up.

Emergency Water Main Repair Planned at Belt Line and Plano
Emergency water main repair work is scheduled to begin Wednesday at the intersection of Belt Line Road and Plano Road.

The repair is needed due to an isolated break in a water main located in the middle of the intersection. The original break occurred about two weeks ago, and the line was isolated and shut off. Since then, the City has been working to mobilize a contractor and prepare traffic management plans for the heavily traveled intersection.

Work is expected to continue through Saturday. The schedule is intended to reduce impacts to weekday traffic as much as possible.

No water service impacts are expected during the repair.

Drivers should expect delays while the work is underway, with the greatest impacts expected for westbound Belt Line Road and southbound Plano Road.

Traffic conditions during the repair are expected to include:

Drivers are encouraged to use caution, follow posted traffic-control signs, and consider alternate routes while work is underway.

Lane Closures Next Week Near Spring Valley Tunnel
Overnight lane closures will take place on both eastbound and westbound Spring Valley Road the nights of Aug. 5 and Aug. 6 so overhead traffic signs can be installed at the tunnel entrances.

Closures include:

The closures will be in effect each night from 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

www.cor.net/Projects

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