Week in Review, Jan. 16, 2026

Jan. 16, 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

MLK, Jr. Holiday Trash, Recycling Changes
For the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday Jan. 19, City services and facilities will operate according to the following holiday schedule:

TRASH / RECYCLING / BRUSH AND BULKY ITEM COLLECTION (BABIC)
There will be NO solid waste, recycling or Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) service provided Monday, Jan. 19. There will be NO make-up days for trash collection or BABIC.

The table below shows the make-up days for recycling service.

Recycle collection days affected by holiday	Make-up day
Monday, Jan. 19	Tuesday, Jan. 20
Tuesday, Jan. 20	Wednesday, Jan. 21

City Facility Closings for MLK, Jr. Holiday

Facility	Open/Closed Status
Animal Shelter (Contact Richardson's Response Center at 972-744-4111 to report non-emergency animal-related issues.)	Closed Jan. 19
City Hall and City Hall Annex	Closed Jan. 19
Eisemann Center	Closed Jan. 19
Gymnastics Center	Open Jan. 19
Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers	Open Jan. 19
Library	Closed Jan. 19
Municipal Court, Richardson IQHQ, Service Center	Closed Jan. 19
Senior Center	Open Jan. 19
Sherrill Park Golf Course	Open Jan. 19
Tennis Center	Open Jan. 19

GEICO Expands Into Second Facility in Richardson; Announces Plans for a Third
Yesterday, GEICO celebrated the opening of its second building in Richardson with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, while also announcing a lease agreement for a third building located next door. Once fully built out, GEICO's presence in Richardson will total nearly 600,000 square feet and support approximately 4,000 employees across three buildings in the City of Richardson.

During the event, GEICO leadership highlighted the region's exceptional talent, welcoming business community, and shared drive for growth, noting that the company is "putting down roots for the long haul" in Richardson.

Founded in Fort Worth in 1936, GEICO is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The company opened its first Richardson location in 2016 at the former Fossil headquarters on Greenville Avenue. Its newly opened second building and planned expansion are located in Galatyn Commons, a growing corporate hub that is also home to major employers such as CBRE, Halff and 1Finity (formerly Fujitsu).

Full news release: click here

Additional Charter Amendments Considered for Future Election
After discussion at Monday's City Council meeting, two additional amendments will be added totaling 50 amendments expected to be considered during a May Charter amendment election.

Amendments expected to be on the ballot include technical adjustments as well as new provisions related to governance and transparency. Examples include:

Proposed amendments to Richardson's Charter were originally finalized by the Council last August, after the Charter Review Commission presented amendments for consideration in June, in advance of a possible November 2025 election. The Council chose to consider a Charter Amendment Election for May 2026 when a new bond program might also be on the ballot, to be more fiscally responsible and avoid voter fatigue.

The Council is expected to order the 2026 Charter Amendment Election Feb. 9.

Jan. 12 City Council presentation/discussion: Video

Second Public Hearing Held for Proposed Bond Election
The City Council held the second of two public hearings last Monday giving residents the opportunity to speak about projects being proposed for a possible 2026 bond election. The $223.4M proposed bond program includes 59.2 percent funding for street projects, 16.1 percent funding for public buildings and the rest dedicated to parks, sidewalks and drainage projects.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council voted to direct the City Manager to put forth a resolution for the Council to vote on at the Feb. 9 meeting that would call a 2026 Bond Election. If called, Election Day will be May 2.

Jan. 12 Bond Hearing: Video

City Council Given Second Briefing Re: Housing Needs Assessment, Strategy
At Monday's City Council meeting, the Council received a follow-up briefing by consultant GrowAmerica regarding the City's Housing Strategy and Housing Needs Assessment, which was commissioned by the City in 2025 and presented to the Council in October. Based on Council feedback, three main housing needs and four possible strategies/tools to address those needs have been identified as priorities from the Assessment:

Richardson's Housing Needs

Priority Housing Strategies to Consider

Monday's presentation gave a further look at the four strategies, each which will be given a separate briefing at future Council meetings.

Jan. 12 City Council Presentation: Video

Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival Survey Closes Jan. 26
There's still time to share your thoughts about Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in an online survey that's available this month, to gather information that will help shape the future of the festival. Even if you've never attended, or attended only a few times, your input is welcome. The approximately four-minute questionnaire asks your opinion on the types of music you'd like to see featured, ticket prices, main performance venues, site experiences and other festival components. Deadline to complete the survey is Monday, Jan. 26.

Survey respondents may remain anonymous or choose to provide contact information to be entered into a drawing for a 2026 Wildflower! VIP Weekend Package for four, valued at $900.

Survey link: https://www.cor.net/WFSurvey

Network Expands Food Program Capacity with New Box Truck
Network of Community Ministries launched a new refrigerated box truck this week that will enable the local nonprofit to increase the amount of food picked up each week from its retail partners. Network currently picks up more than 22,000 pounds of food weekly from 11 local retailers, food that benefits Network's community food market and mobile food pantries.

The new box truck was purchased through the support of the North Texas Food Bank and the Hoblitzelle Foundation.

Website: https://www.thenetwork.org

Save the Dates: Healthier Texas Community Challenge Now Feb. 2-March 29
Healthier Texas has announced that the 2026 "Community Challenge," which typically begins in early January, will be held Feb. 2-March 29. Originally delayed to a Jan. 20 start due to cuts in federal SNAP-Ed funding, the annual, app-based fitness challenge (and friendly competition among cities) has now been redesigned into a more accessible program and its app is in the final testing phases.

Thanks to the program's new technology vendor, the app will feature:

The City of Richardson's Parks and Recreation Department will kick things off early with a free Zumba class planned for 9 a.m. Jan. 24 at Huffhines Recreation Center; check the City's communications channels (including Week in Review) for future information.

Website: Click Here

No City Council Meeting Next Monday
Due to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, there will be no City Council work session or meeting Monday, Jan. 19. The Council will next meet Monday, Jan. 26 beginning at 6 p.m.

Future agendas/meeting dates: https://www.cor.net/CityCouncil

Lane Closure Expected on US 75 Frontage Road at Lakeside; Detour Planned
The right turn lane of northbound US 75 frontage road onto Lakeside Boulevard may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and detoured to eastbound Lookout Drive, southbound Performance Drive and finally to Waterwood Drive as a waterline installation takes place. The work is expected to be complete, weather permitting, by late January.

Street Rehabilitation Work Completed on Floyd Road
Pavement replacement work on Floyd Road south of Belt Line Road has been completed and the road is fully back open to traffic. The work, which began in November, stretched from Belt Line Road south to the US 75 Frontage Road and was part of the City's Arterial and Collector Street Rehabilitation Program. This program is an ongoing initiative to repair, upgrade and extend the life of major roadways throughout the community.

Richardson Projects: https://www.cor.net/projects.

Photo Contest Continues
The City's annual photo contest is in progress and accepting entries through Sunday, Jan. 25. Sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department, the contest is open to both residents and nonresidents, and is divided into three competition groups (Student, Amateur Adult and Proficient Adult). Costs are $5 per entry for students and $10 per entry for amateur and proficient adults.

Want inspiration? The 2025 Best of Show, Best of Division Winners, and Judges Exhibit will be on display at Huffhines Recreation Center through Jan. 30. This year's winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony Feb. 26 at the Eisemann Center, with the winning photos displayed at Huffhines Recreation Center Jan. 31-Feb. 24.

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

Altrusa Leadership Luncheon is Jan. 31; Registration Deadline is Jan. 28
First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expwy.
Cost: $40 (register here through Jan. 28)
Saturday, Jan. 31
Check-in opens: 11 a.m.
Luncheon/Presentation: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Altrusa Richardson hosts this informative luncheon featuring Melida Guravich, Senior Account Director for Sunwest Communications, who will speak on "Essential Communication Skills You Need as a Leader." Explore the skills and characteristics shared by effective leaders that foster a culture of success and excellence in any organization.

Website: https://www.altrusarichardson.com

Computing 101 Tomorrow Morning
Millwood Creek Room
Cost: Free; registration required and valid RPL card, call 972-744-4355 to register
Saturday, Jan. 17
10:30 a.m.-noon

A class for absolute beginners to gain fundamental computing skills.

Learn about:

Laptops will be provided. For adults and teens 13+.

Teen Program Tomorrow: Lord of the Throne, A Fantasy Murder Mystery
City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525
Admission: Free; registration required only if you want to play a character; call 972-744-4358 to register or visit the Youth Services Desk
Saturday, Jan. 17
3-4 p.m.

The king has summoned you to attend a round table at Hydrock Castle to discuss matters of state, but upon your arrival, something is amiss - the famed and fleetfooted centauress, Lefqwen of Abinark, usually first to arrive, has failed to show. In Hydrock, unexpected events usually mean only one thing - murder! Solve the mystery as a spectator or character. For ages 13-18 only.

For a full list of library events, visit https://www.cor.net/calendar.

https://www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

• "Shen Yun"
  Hill Performance Hall
  Tickets: $93-$203 (tickets)
  Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.
  Jan. 22-23 at 7:30 p.m.
  
  Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops and an orchestra like no other. Presented by Southern USA Falun Dafa Association.
  
  
• Annual "TAPN2TAP" Show this Sunday
  Bank of America Theatre
  Tickets: $35-$45 (tickets)
  Sunday, Jan. 18
  7:30-8:30 p.m.
  
  Join RIFF Dallas for an inspiring evening of rhythm, artistry, and celebration as tap ensembles from across the country take the stage, dancers ranging from young emerging artists to seasoned performers. The concert will also feature brand-new works by Charles Renato and Madeline Murphy, created through the RIFF Dallas Residency programs. To top it all off, the extraordinary RIFF Dallas staff will close the show with their signature blend of skill, musicality, and electrifying energy. The show is part of RIFF Dallas' four-day weekend of tap classes and showcases held annually at the Eisemann Center and adjacent Renaissance Hotel.
  
  Website: www.riffdallas.org

Tour Richardson's Recycler Next Thursday
Republic Services, 4200 14th St., Plano
Cost: Free (Must register in advance as space is limited-registration link)
Thursday, Jan. 22
10:30-11:30 a.m.

The City of Richardson, in partnership with Republic Services, is offering this exclusive opportunity for residents to take a guided tour of the Republic Services facility in Plano, Richardson's recycling processor. Participants will get an in-depth look at the recycling process, from material collection to sorting and processing, demonstrating the critical role recycling plays in environmental sustainability.

January Gardening/Landscape To-Dos
Think there's nothing to do in the garden in January? Especially with this mild winter (so far), there's plenty to do to "keep your hands in dirt" and take care of your landscape. Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (DCMGA), a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, offers a Garden Task List for January at its website, tasks which include pruning, watering and soil enrichment.

The DCMGA's to-dos for this month include:

Complete task list: https://www.dallascountymastergardeners.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.

Gymnastics Instructor PT ($17.82/hr to $27.30/hr)
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for individuals who enjoy working with people in groups of various sizes and have a passion for teaching.

https://www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Raven is a 3-year-old pitbull known for her sweet and energetic nature. Raven loves to play and is always eager to share her joy with everyone around her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, making her the perfect companion for adventures and cozy days alike. Adopting Raven means bringing a bundle of joy into your life, ready to offer loyalty and affection. She's just waiting to become your devoted friend.

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.