Week in Review, May 15, 2026

May 15, 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

Richardson's 2026 Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival Kicks Off Tonight
The City's annual Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival takes place this weekend, May 15-17, at Galatyn Park Urban Center, with a packed schedule beginning tonight at 6 p.m. Live music on six stages, an art guitar auction and live performances on Performance Row are all included in the price of daily admission, as well as access to food vendors and the WF! Marketplace.

Ticket Information:

Website: www.wildflowerfestival.com

Parking/Transportation Info for Wildflower! Festival
The Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival is a favorite among DFW-area concertgoers and one of its features that receives high praise is parking-it's plentiful, close by and FREE, with many spaces covered. More than 8,000 spaces are available within the immediate area surrounding Galatyn Park Urban Center, including three parking garages and five parking lots. In addition, there is dedicated bicycle parking at Gateway D (bring your own lock).

The BlueCross BlueShield Garage off Lookout Drive is the largest WF! parking facility; see below for the complete parking map.

In addition, DART buses and light rail stop right at the festival grounds, with Galatyn Station just steps away from the Texans Credit Union Gateway.

Election Results Officially Canvassed by City Council
Results are now official for the May 2 Charter amendment and 2026 Bond elections. Final tabulations were made official Monday night with the City Council certifying the election results.

The turnout shows approximately 6 percent of registered voters took part in the election.

The 2026 Bond Election totals $223.4 million and is structured with no anticipated increase to the City's property tax rate. The charter election included 50 separate propositions covering technical updates as well as governance and transparency provisions.

Additional information about the 2026 Bond Election is available at www.cor.net/BondElection, and additional information about the charter election is available at www.cor.net/CharterElection.

Richardson Wins First Place in 2026 Healthier Texas Challenge
The partnership of the City of Richardson and the University of Texas at Dallas won first place in the Large Community Division of the annual Healthier Texas Community Challenge. The eight-week competition wrapped up in March and included 110 cities across five divisions.

The Richardson Parks and Recreation Department held a variety of special events to increase community participation in the challenge. Participants earned points by reporting their daily activities such as eating healthy, drinking water or exercising. Richardson finished with 2.3 million points. This is the first year Richardson has finished in first place. Laredo and McAllen finished second and third.

For more information, visit www.txcommunitychallenge.org.

City Council Updated on DART Silver Line Bridge Arches, Cotton Belt Trail
Installation of the arches that will be placed at the Silver Line bridge over US 75 is expected to begin next month. The bridge will feature two arches; one on the south side and one on the north side. Each will be about 400 feet long and 80 feet above the roadway at the highest point. They will also feature white and blue accent lighting to help the bridge serve as a gateway and visual branding for the city for both rail passengers and drivers on US 75.

The arches are currently being fabricated. Installation of the south side arch is expected to take place June 4-7, with associated overnight lane closures occurring on the frontage roads, US 75 main lanes and ramps from US 75 to the President George Bush Turnpike as needed. The northbound arch is expected to take place July 16-19. More information on specific lane closures will be published in Week in Review, on the City's website and on social media prior to them taking place.

At Monday's meeting, the City Council also heard an update on the Cotton Belt Trail, which will run alongside the Silver Line. The trail spans 2.8 miles in Richardson, with three bridges. Work is underway, and with the exception of a pedestrian bridge over Custer Road, is expected to be complete in early 2027.

Monthly trail updates: www.cor.net/CottonBeltTrail

City Council Presentation: Video

Second Quarter Financial Report Given
The City budget remains on track with its current fiscal year outlook, according to the 2025-26 Second Quarter Financial Report presented by City staff at Monday's City Council meeting. The Second Quarter Report represents activity from Jan. 1-March 31.

All five funds (General, Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Services, Golf and Hotel/Motel Tax) are performing within budgeted parameters. City budget staff will continue to monitor economic trends and fund performance, the next planned update to the City Council is scheduled to take place at the Council's budget workshop Aug. 3-4.

Budget presentation at City Council meeting: Video
Website: www.cor.net/Budget

Police Week Memorial Held
The Richardson Police Department held a memorial service Thursday morning at the Richardson Police Department Headquarters honoring the eight Texas peace officers killed in the line of duty in 2025, in conjunction with National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Also recognized was Richardson Police Officer David Sherrard #1078, who was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 7, 2018, and Richardson Police Lieutenant Thomas Koch, who lost his battle with cancer in October 2025.

The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, remarks by Richardson Police Chief Gary Tittle and Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, and Taps performed by the Richardson Police Honor Guard.

National Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on May 15 each year and is part of National Police Week which was established by Congress in 1962.

UT Dallas Commencement Tonight Features Drone Show
The University of Texas at Dallas kicked off its Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies with a doctoral hooding ceremony this afternoon, with many more graduation events and ceremonies scheduled to take place through next Wednesday, May 20. A campus-wide commencement at the UT Dallas Lot J parking lot starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, May 15), with a "Cosmic Light Show" featuring dozens of drones in the sky taking place at the conclusion.

More information: https://registrar.utdallas.edu/graduation/commencement-schedule/

Lane Closures on Arapaho Road between Floyd Road and Woodland Way
The left and center lanes of westbound Arapaho Road between Floyd Road and Woodland Way may be closed to traffic for waterline work. One lane will remain closed overnight, with a second lane closed as needed from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Arapaho Road Lane Closure at Jupiter Road
The right lane of westbound Arapaho Road extended 300 feet east and west of Jupiter Road and the outside left turn lane of northbound Jupiter Road onto westbound Arapaho Road may be closed to traffic from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for fiber optic work.

Signal Work and Pedestrian Ramp Improvements to Take Place at Four Intersections
Traffic signals are being rebuilt and pedestrian ramps are being installed at the following intersections. Various lane closures will be in place while work is taking place. The project is expected to be complete by December.

City Hosts Sustainable Gardening Workshop is Tomorrow; Spots Still Available
Richardson IQ^®HQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Cost: Free (Registration required; click here to register)
Saturday, May 16
10 a.m.

Led by Dr. Kevin L. Dillard, this workshop provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to environmentally responsible landscaping practices.

Youth Summer Reading Club Sign-up Begins Monday
Signups begin Monday, May 18, for the Library's Youth Summer Reading Club. Participants can log their reading beginning June 1 and earn a chance to win great prizes! Click the link below or visit the Youth Services Help Desk for more information.

More information: Link

Smart Art! Tuesday
Library Youth Storytime Room
Cost: Free, registration required. Call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk to register
Tuesday, May 19
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Get creative, learn something new and explore art at the Richardson Public Library. Each month, join the Library for a lesson on an artist, art movement or art technique, followed by the opportunity to make your own art piece. This program is for kids ages 9-12.

Additional details: Smart Art!

www.cor.net/Library

At the Eisemann Center:

If you're headed to the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival this weekend, May 15-17, be sure not to miss all the happenings inside the Eisemann Center where there will be art, music…and air conditioning!

Here's what's taking place there during the festival:

Forrest and Virginia Green Mezzanine Gallery (upper level of lobby)

Leftwich Grand Foyer (front section of lobby)

Hill Performance Hall (main level)

Bank of America Theatre (main level)

More information: www.wildflowerfestival.com

At UT Dallas:

RCT Summer Camps Begin June 1; Enrollment Underway
Enrollment is now open for the Repertory Company Theatre's School of Musical Theatre's Summer Camps. Camps include:

"Alice in Wonderland the Musical" for ages 8-15
Cost: $395 plus $35 annual membership fee per student
June 1-5
Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

"Frozen Jr." for ages 8-16
Cost: $585 plus $35 annual membership fee per student
July 27-Aug. 8
Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Showcase Saturday, Aug. 8)

Other camps are full but the RCT is placing names on a waitlist.

More information/online enrollment form: Click here

Drought, Rain Can Affect Home Foundations
Home foundation problems are common in North Texas. Both dry and wet conditions can cause issues with foundations, meaning homeowners need to pay attention to their foundations year-round.

During times of drought, the soil can contract and pull away from the foundation. When the soil no longer offers support, the foundation can shift, causing the potential for cracks. To prevent the soil from drying out, homeowners should use a soaker hose or something similar to water their foundation. Suggested placement of soaker hoses and drip irrigation around the perimeter of the house is six to 18 inches away from the foundation.

Foundations can also be damaged during times of heavy rain. If the soil has cracks in it, rain can seep in, causing the soil to expand quickly or swell, which in turn puts pressure on your foundation creating the potential for it to shift or crack. This fluctuation from dry (contraction) to wet (expansion) and back is what leads to foundation issues over time.

Paying attention to your foundation year-round via routine inspection, watering as necessary in dry conditions and ensuring proper drainage away from the foundation in wet conditions, will help minimize the potential movement and cracks in your foundation.

May Gardening To-Do List
The Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (DCMGA), a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, has released its Garden Task List for May.

The DCMGA's list of tasks to help your landscape be its prettiest and healthiest includes:

Planting

Pruning

Plant Care

Complete list: click here

www.cor.net/EPI

www.cor.net/Jobs

Pet of the Week

Cypress is an 11-month-old Doberman mix brimming with energy and friendliness. Cypress loves to play and would thrive with an active family who enjoys adventures and lots of playtime. His playful and energetic nature makes him the perfect companion for hikes, runs and outdoor fun. Cypress has a lot of love to give and is eager to find a forever home where he can share his joy and zest for life. Adopt Cypress and discover the boundless joy and companionship he brings to every day.

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 www.cor.net/WIR.