Week in Review, Oct. 16, 2026

Oct. 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

Huffhines Harvest Fest, Pawtoberfest is This Weekend
Huffhines Harvest Fest returns this weekend, Oct. 17-18, celebrating 50 years of fall fun in Richardson. This free, family-friendly festival offers something for everyone, including shopping, live entertainment, festival treats, pumpkin decorating, kids' crafts, face painting, lawn games and festive fall photo opportunities. The weekend also features Pawtoberfest on Saturday, with activities for pets and their owners, and the Kids Market on Sunday, showcasing creations from young entrepreneurs.

Details:
Huffhines Harvest Fest
Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd.
Admission: Free, some activities require a nominal fee
Festival hours:

Learn more about the Huffhines Harvest Festival

Library Closed While Moving to Newly Renovated Facility
The Library is currently closed so books and materials can be moved to the newly renovated Library at 421 W. Arapaho Rd. Items were packed up earlier this week and movers began moving items on Thursday. The City anticipates the library will reopen later this fall with a specific grand reopening date being announced in the coming weeks.

Due dates for materials checked out before the move will be extended until the Library reopens. The book drop will also be unavailable during the closure. Monthly book clubs and the Halloween Spookilicious program will continue as scheduled at City Hall.

Library customers will still have access to digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks, reference databases and language-learning tools, through the Digital Library.

Library staff will remain available by phone during normal operating hours and by e-mail at [email protected].

Learn more about the Library renovations.

Council Discusses Ways to Increase Public Engagement and Input
At its Monday meeting, the City Council discussed several ways to increase public engagement and opportunities for public input. Strategies discussed included hosting quarterly town hall meetings, posting monthly video updates on recent City Council action and streaming Council meetings live on Facebook.

Following a discussion, the Council decided to move forward with quarterly town hall meetings starting in January, with one meeting in each of the four council districts each year, but no meetings during election season. The meetings will allow residents to ask questions and share concerns in a setting designed for conversation. The meetings will be moderated by Mayor Amir Omar, with all council members invited to attend and participate.

Plans were also put in place to film short videos that could be shared on social media that recap the previous month's City Council actions. The videos would be produced by staff from the City's Communications Department and read by members of the City Council.

The Council also decided to begin streaming its meetings live on Facebook. Currently, meetings are streamed live, and available on-demand after the fact, on the City's cable channel and online at www.cor.net/CITV. The Council felt streaming live on Facebook, where the video would also be available following the meeting, would increase viewership and public engagement.

View the City Council Discussion

Council Receives Briefing on Safer Streets Richardson
The Richardson City Council received an update Monday night on the City's "Safer Streets Richardson" Safety Action Plan, an initiative aimed at reducing serious crashes and improving roadway safety for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

Funded through the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program, the plan builds on existing City policies and transportation investments. It uses crash data from 2020-24 and community feedback to identify where safety improvements are needed most. The plan establishes a goal of reducing fatal and serious injury crashes by 50 percent by 2050, with the longer-term aim of eliminating them.

The draft plan identifies high-priority locations for safety improvements where concentrations of serious crashes are occurring. Recommended strategies range from near-term operational and maintenance improvements to longer-term infrastructure investments, including safer crossings and intersection improvements. The plan also recommends policy and program changes to enhance safety considerations into City projects, development reviews and transportation operations.

The City Council will consider adopting the completed Safety Action Plan later this year.

View the Safer Streets Presentation

Lighting Ceremony Celebrates DART Silver Line Bridge Arches
The accent lighting on the arches on the Silver Line bridge over US 75 is officially on. A "lighting ceremony" was held last night featuring members of the Richardson City Council and DART. The white and blue lighting provide color to the arches, which were installed in June and July. They are about 400 feet long and 80 feet above the roadway at their highest point. The bridge serves as a gateway and visual branding for the city for both rail passengers and drivers on US 75.

The DART Silver Line began operations in October 2025, providing rail service from Richardson to DFW International Airport. The Silver Line stretches 26 miles from Plano to DFW Airport, with additional stops in Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell and Grapevine. Richardson has two Silver Line stations, one adjacent to the Northside development at UT Dallas and one at CityLine, which allows interconnectivity to DART's Red and Orange Light Rail lines.

Early Voting Begins Oct. 19
Early voting in Texas for the Nov. 3 General Election takes place Monday, Oct. 19-Friday, Oct. 30, with Texas voters able to vote at any early voting location within their county of residence. Note that Richardson City Hall is not an early voting location; go to www.cor.net/Election for voting information and links to lists of all early voting locations in Dallas and Collin counties.

Dallas County Early Voting Schedule
Oct. 19-23 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Oct. 24 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 noon-6 p.m.
Oct. 26-Oct. 30 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Collin County Early Voting Schedule
Oct. 19-23 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 24 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 26-Oct. 30 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Find more information on early voting

Development Services Receives Recognition from Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association
The City of Richardson received recognition from the Richard R. Lillie, FAICP Planning Excellence Program of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association at the Chapter's annual conference in Irving this week.

The program recognizes a commitment to professional planning in municipalities throughout the State. Evaluation criteria include the level of training of Planning Commissioners and professional staff, professional qualifications of the planning staff, breadth and currency of master plan components and completion of other planning related projects.

The goals of the program include:

The department has received the award each of the last 21 years.

Corporate Challenge Raises Money for Special Olympics Texas
The 28th Richardson Corporate Challenge wrapped up this week with a closing ceremony at the Eisemann Center. Representatives from Corporate Challenge beneficiary Special Olympics Texas were on hand to receive a check representing the funds raised from the 45 DFW-area businesses that competed in the Challenge.

The Corporate Challenge is a 10-week, Olympic-style competition among employees, spouses and retirees from local companies that begins in August each year. The 2026 Challenge included contests in 22 events ranging from active sports such as basketball, softball and pickleball to more "sedentary" competitions such as dominoes and Texas Hold 'Em.

Companies honored for the most points in each division were:

Special Olympics Texas has received $3.83 million from the Richardson Corporate Challenge since the competition began in 1998.

Learn more about Corporate Challenge

Lane Closures this Weekend Near UT Dallas for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Several roads will be closed near UT Dallas tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 17, from 7 a.m.-noon to accommodate the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Road closures include:

Drivers on westbound Campbell Road will be detoured to northbound Floyd Road. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time while the closure are in place.

Learn more about race

Road Closure Due to Polk Street Improvement Project
Pavement work is set to begin soon on Polk Street as part of the Polk Street Improvement Project. Contractors are nearing completion of the underground infrastructure improvements, including sanitary sewer and water main. Beginning the week of Oct. 19, Polk Street will be fully closed to traffic from the alley east of Texas Street to Greenville Avenue for approximately eight weeks so pavement work can take place, weather permitting.

The sidewalks immediately adjacent to businesses will remain accessible during pavement construction, where feasible. However, access may be temporarily affected when the landscaping and new sidewalks are being constructed.

Once the pavement work is completed in this section, work will move to the stretch of the road from the alley to Interurban Street.

Arapaho Road Lane Closure East of US 75
The right lane of eastbound Arapaho Road between Grove Road and Bowser Road may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for fiber optic work. The project is expected to be wrapped up in mid-January, weather permitting.

Lane Closures at Intersection of Sherman Street and Spring Valley Road
The right lane of northbound Sherman Street extending 280 feet south of Spring Valley Road and the right lane of eastbound Spring Valley Road extending 350 feet east and west of Sherman Street may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for utility work. The project is expected to be wrapped up in early 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.

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Shred Paper, Recycle Electronics at RCPAAA Event Tomorrow
The Richardson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association's (RCPAAA) fall electronics recycling and document shredding event is taking place at the Heights Church, 201 W. Renner Rd., on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Over the last 10 events, the RCPAAA has collected:

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.

Republic Services Recycling Center Tour
Participants are invited to learn how Republic Services processes recyclables, why recycling guidelines changes and why reducing, reusing and recycling properly matters at a tour on Friday, Oct. 22. The tour is free, but registration is required.

Date: Friday, Oct. 22
Time: 10:30 a.m.-noon
Location: Republic Services Recycling Facility, 4200 14th St., Plano, TX
Admission: Free, registration required
Additional details: Register for the Republic Services Recycling Center Tour

www.cor.net/EPI

Accounts Payable Representative ($46,405 - $60,861 Salary)
The Accounting Department is looking for an individual that can process accounts payable transactions, miscellaneous filing, and perform general accounting functions. Effectively coordinate with other departments for approval of payables and to resolve accounts payable issues. Perform clerical and data entry using personal computer and the City's document management system. Perform other related work as required. High school diploma or GED required. Good background in mathematical courses preferred. One year of experience in accounts payable processing preferred. Experience in use of document management software preferred. Data entry, keyboard skills, and use of a 10 key calculator are required.

Combination Inspector (Building) ($65,156 - $88,239 Salary)
Building Inspection is looking for an individual that can inspect buildings, construction sites and construction components for compliance with Building, Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical codes and laws by making routine field inspections throughout the construction period. Reviews plans for compliance with designated codes and ordinances administered by Building Inspection Division for purpose of issuing permits. Counsel with architects, contractors, owners, and inspection staff as needed. Perform other related work as required. One (1) to two (2) years of experience preferred in residential or commercial building and energy inspections, general building contracting and construction.

Fire Inspector (PT) ($48.17/hr - $48.17/hr)
The Fire Department is looking for an individual who can conduct fire prevention inspections, assist in investigation of fire cause and origin. Conduct fire safety educational programs and other related activities. Work on-call duty as needed. Perform plan review as needed. Perform other related work as required. High School Diploma or GED required. Minimum of sixty (60) college hours or higher preferred. Texas Commission on Fire Protection [TCFP] Fire Inspector certification required. TCFP Investigator Certification preferred. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement [TCOLE] Peace Officer Certification preferred. Texas Department of Health [TDH] Emergency Medical Technician Certification preferred. Texas Driver's License Class C, or above, required.

www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week
Meet Nala, a 2-year-old female dog with a heart full of joy. Nala's sweet and energetic nature makes her the perfect companion for adventure and fun. She's incredibly friendly, always ready to greet everyone with enthusiasm. While she's not a fan of being restrained, her love for freedom adds to her charming personality. Nala would thrive in a home that loves activity as much as she does and appreciates a spirited, loving canine friend.

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

City Council Links

Council MembersMeeting Agendas and Documents
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To read previous Week in Reviews,

visit www.cor.net/WIR.