Week in Review, Nov. 6, 2026

Nov. 6, 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

City Council meetings can be watched live online at www.cor.net/CITV.

Culture in The CORE Food and Music Festival is Tomorrow at Interurban Common
The Culture in The CORE Food and Music Festival is scheduled for tomorrow from noon-4 p.m. at Interurban Common, 110 N. Interurban St.

The free family-friendly event takes place each fall and brings together Richardson's diverse communities to have fun, to learn and to experience the music, dance, foods, and arts of different cultures.

Performance Schedule:

• Noon: DJ Tricky
• 12:05 p.m.: Academia Asi Es Mi Peru Peruvian Dancers
• 12:25 p.m.: Bandan Koro, An African Drum & Dance Ensemble
• 1 p.m.: City Council Remarks
• 1:10 p.m.: Nailah Noor Belly Dance
• 1:40 p.m.: Argentine Tango Dallas
• 1:55 p.m.: KPOP Dance Dallas
• 2:15 p.m.: Rosy L
• 2:50 p.m.: Buddha's Light International Drummers
• 3 p.m.: Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico
• 3:45 p.m.: Polyphonic

Parking is available in the Belt & Main parking garage and lots around Interurban Common.

Find out more about Culture in The CORE

West Spring Valley Area Selected for Federal Opportunity Zone
A portion of Richardson's West Spring Valley Corridor has been selected as a new federal Qualified Opportunity Zone, creating another tool to help attract private investment and redevelopment to the area.

The designation applies to what's called "Census Tract 192.14." An Opportunity Zone is not a change in local zoning or a direct government grant. Instead, it allows investors who put capital into qualifying projects through an Opportunity Fund to potentially receive federal capital-gains tax benefits. The goal is to make private investment more attractive in areas targeted for long-term economic growth and reinvestment.

For Richardson, the designation adds to years of work already underway in the West Spring Valley Corridor. The City has identified the area as a focus for reinvestment and has completed roadway, utility and infrastructure improvements while updating development regulations to encourage new private investment. The long-term vision allows for a mix of housing, commercial development, neighborhood-serving businesses and other uses as properties redevelop.

The Opportunity Zone designation provides an additional incentive that could help attract investors to underused or aging properties and support projects that build on those public improvements.

The new Opportunity Zone designation will take effect Jan. 1, 2027 and remain in place for 10 years.

Learn more about the federal Opportunity Zone program and Texas designations

Council Briefed on Alternative Landscape Strategies in Parks
The Parks and Recreation Department briefed the City Council Monday night on its current landscape maintenance strategies and presented alternatives that could be implemented.

Staff discussed how each type of area-athletic fields, park turf, public buildings, medians, creek corridors and riparian areas-have their own frequency in which they are mowed and fertilized. These schedules are designed to provide safe, well-maintained, manicured spaces to accommodate the recreation needs of residents, while protecting natural resources.

The alternatives being reviewed would impact low-mow/no-mow areas and options to eliminate unwanted brush, vegetation, and invasive species.

The Parks and Recreation Commission will review options and provide feedback to be presented at a future Council meeting.

Council Updated on Hard-to-Manage Weed
As part of a presentation on landscape strategies, the City Council received an update on the KR Bluestem weed and why it's so hard to manage in area medians.

KR Bluestem is an invasive species capable of growing up to 12 inches in just a few days. It was introduced to the United States for erosion control and grazing and quickly spread and became a nuisance that is hard to control due to its resistance to herbicides.

Parks and Recreation crews and contractors mow medians and rights-of-way on a 10-day rotation and are working hard to keep KR Bluestem under control. The weed is not tolerant to cold weather and dissipates after the first freeze each year.

View the Council presentation

Changes Discussed to Matching Funds Beautification Program
Efforts are underway to expand the City's Matching Fund Beautification Program, which works with area neighborhoods to fund projects and neighborhood entrances and other areas on public right of way.

This week, Council gave direction to include projects on privately owned medians owned by Homeowner Associations that are located along public streets.

The City of Richardson began the Matching Funds Beautification Program in 1972 to promote partnerships and community engagement.

Visit the Matching Fund Beautification webpage

View the Council presentation

City Council Approves Richardson Mayors Summer Internship Program Feasibility Study
The City Council directed City staff to work with a consultant to conduct a 30-day study assessing the feasibility of bringing back the Richardson Mayors Summer Internship Program. The program was in place from 2018-23 before being discontinued by Richardson ISD due to budgetary reasons. At that time, the City began partnering with RISD on the district's existing Professional Internship Program, which takes place during the school year.

The study will determine if it is possible to bring the program back with a different business model, potentially modeled after the program Plano has in place. That program is run by the City, but managed by the Plano Improvement Corporation, with all funding coming from outside sponsorships and not from the municipal budget.

Once the study has been completed, Council will determine whether to move forward with the program and if so, whether it will begin in summer 2027 or summer 2028.

View the Council presentation

"Council Connection" Launched This Week
The first edition of "Council Connection" debuted this week. The new video series is posted on Instagram and Facebook and provides a recap of the previous month's City Council meetings.

In its inaugural edition, Mayor Pro Tem Ken Hutchenrider provided an overview of last month's City Council agenda items that included: a study looking into ways to diversify Richardson's housing stock, ways to improve street safety, and preparations for next year's state legislative session.

Council Connection will be posted the first Tuesday of each month on the Richardson Today Facebook and Instagram social media pages.

View Council Connection

Council Discusses Resolution to Name Silver Line Bridge for Gary Slagel
The City Council will consider a resolution at its Nov. 9 meeting to request that the DART Board of Directors name the arches of the Silver Line Bridge over US 75 in recognition of former Richardson Mayor and current DART Board Member Gary Slagel in recognition of his longstanding public service, regional transportation leadership, and contributions to the development of the Silver Line.

Slagel was elected to the Richardson City Council in 1987 and served as mayor from 1991-2007 and 2009-11. He was appointed to the DART Board of Directors in 2011, where he served as Board Chair from 2023-25. Earlier this year he was reappointed to the board.

During his time on the City Council, Richardson's Urban Land Institute study was commissioned, and Richardson became the first city outside Dallas to receive DART light rail service. While on the DART Board, DART's FY 2017 Twenty-Year Financial Plan was approved, which accelerated construction of the Silver Line.

View the Council presentation

Texas Arbor Day Tree Planting Held at Lookout Park

Volunteers and Parks and Recreation staff planted 35 trees at Lookout Park earlier today in celebration of Texas Arbor Day, which is held annually on the first Friday in November. The tree planting was sponsored by local nonprofit One Earth One Chance. Trees planted included Cedar Elm, Bald Cypress and Red Oak.

Holiday Bazaar Continues through Tomorrow
The Senior Center's annual Holiday Bazaar continues tomorrow at the Richardson Senior Center. More than 50 vendors will sell handcrafted goods including pottery, jewelry, knitted hats and blankets, paintings and much more. Get unique and personal gifts for friends and family just in time for the holiday season. Food will be available for purchase.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free
Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 for more information

Richardson Municipal Facilities, Services Open on Veterans Day; Senior Center Honors Veterans with Concert
Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov.11, is a day to celebrate military veterans who have served their country honorably during war or peacetime. As it is a federal holiday (and a state holiday in Texas), all non-essential federal government offices will be closed including post offices; most banks will be closed as well as they fall under the Federal Reserve. State of Texas offices will be closed; municipalities vary.

In Richardson, all municipal offices and services will operate on a regular schedule.

The Richardson Senior Center will honor veterans with concert from the Upswing Jazz Orchestra.

Date: Monday, Nov. 9
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free, registration required
Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 to register and for more information

The City of Richardson also recognizes veterans through its year-round Veterans Partnership Initiative (VPI), a page on the City's website that offers links to information about opportunities in various areas including education, employment, health and housing as well as information about programs and events geared toward veterans.

Learn more about the Veterans Partnership Initiative

Citizen Police Academy Applications Now Open
Anyone aged 21 and up who lives or works in Richardson is encouraged to apply for the 2027 Richardson Citizen Police Academy. The program, which begins Feb. 2, offers an opportunity to learn about the Richardson Police Department (RPD) in a fun, interactive and academic environment. Students will test their skills on the Department's driving course and have the opportunity to fire police weapons.

The goal of the Academy is to strengthen the partnership that has been forged between the police and the community which it serves.

The program meets from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, with one Saturday class. Applications close Dec. 31.

Learn more about the Citizen Police Academy
Fill out an application
Contact: PD Community Relations Unit, 972-744-4955

Custer Parkway Lane Striping Underway
Crews have begun striping the newly constructed roadway along Custer Parkway between Canyon Creek Drive and Renner Road, with work continuing throughout November. The striping will restore the roadway to its pre-construction traffic configuration, with one vehicle travel lane in each direction and a dedicated bike lane. Drivers should follow the new pavement markings and avoid driving in lanes designated for bicycles. Permanent signage will be completed in coming months as the remainder of the project finishes.

Lane Closure on Greenville Avenue Near Downtown
The right lane of northbound Greenville Avenue between Huffhines Street and Polk Street may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. so Oncor can install two power poles. The work is expected to be complete by mid-January, weather permitting.

To see what is coming up in Richardson, subscribe to our free weekly Things to Do newsletters. The newsletter comes out each Wednesday and will help you plan your weekend and find things to do locally.

Sign Up: Link

Options for Safe Drug Disposal Year-Round
If you missed the Richardson Police Department's Drug Take Back event last month, the Health Department has links on its web page with information about how to safely dispose of expired and/or unused prescription and over-the counter drugs year-round. The best disposal methods keep drugs out of our water supply. Here are two suggestions found at one of the links (from the Federal Drug Administration) on how to dispose of medicines in the trash:

• Take them out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through your trash.

• Put them in a sealed bag, empty can or other container to prevent the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.

In addition, several pharmacy retailers including CVS and Walgreens provide drug take back bins indoors year-round at select locations; check their websites for more information.

Plant Wildflower Seeds ASAP for Spring Blooms
Now is the perfect time to plant wildflower seeds to fill your landscape with blooms in the spring, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension experts. Planting in September, October or early November gives wildflowers time to establish before winter dormancy.

For blooming success, it's all about choosing the right spot and preparing the soil, specifically:

• Plant in full sun with at least six hours of sunlight daily

• Loosen soil in existing beds or clear and till new areas

Scatter the seeds evenly; gently press them into the soil to ensure good contact, but don't bury them entirely. Water newly planted seeds to get them started, but don't overwater.

The experts recommend choosing a regional seed mix designed for this area. In its parks, the City's Parks and Recreation Department plants a mix of seeds, dubbed the "Richardson Mix," that includes corn flower, rocket larkspur and red corn poppy. Free packets of the "Richardson Mix" seeds will be given out at the Community Inclusion and Engagement Commission's table tomorrow at the Culture in The CORE Food and Music Festival (see news story above). Supplies are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

See more information on wildflower planting

www.cor.net/EPI

Open Records Specialist ($47,730 - $ 70,972 Salary)
The Police Department is looking for an individual that can perform all duties necessary for the successful completion of all requests for Open Records. Work alone as necessary. Work any shift, holidays and/or weekends, as required for scheduling by supervision. Perform functions of Records Technician as needed. Perform other related duties as required. High school diploma or G.E.D. required. Texas Driver's License, Class "C" or above, required.

Crew Chief ($57,541 - $80,347 Salary)
The Public Services Department is currently looking for an individual with experience in construction and/or maintenance of water distribution and waste collection systems. High School Diploma or GED is required. Texas Commercial Driver's License, Class A, is required or must be obtained within six months. Must have and maintain a Class II Wastewater and Class C Water Distribution License or must be obtained within one year of hire.

Adult Van Driver (PT) ($21.00/hr - $24.62/hr)
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for an individual who can drive 14 or 22 passenger van/bus to pick up and deliver adult passengers. Provide other transportation services upon request of Senior Center, Recreation Center, and/or Program Managers. Perform other related work as required. If assigned to 22-passenger van/bus: Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License, Class A, B or C, with "P" (passenger) endorsement, required. Must have passed the written part of the Commercial Driver's License; must pass the driving portion of the test within 15 days of hire date. If assigned to 14-passenger van/bus: Valid Texas Driver's license, Class C required.

www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Wednesday is a 10-month-old cattle dog mix with a heart filled with Joy. She's the epitome of sweetness and friendliness. She gets along wonderfully with other dogs and loves children, making her the perfect addition to any family. If you're looking for a loyal companion who will bring endless smiles and excitement to your home, Wednesday is ready to fill that spot.

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

City Council Links

Council MembersMeeting Agendas and Documents
Videos

To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit www.cor.net/WIR.