Richardson bond proposal prioritizes infrastructure, parks, fire
Richardson’s $223 million bond will likely include investments in infrastructure improvements, parks projects and fire facility additions.
City Manager Don Magner presented bond project recommendations to City Council at its Dec. 15 meeting.
Magner recommended projects to improve traffic signals, streets, alleys and sidewalks, as well as additions to two fire stations and the design for a new station. He also recommended renovations and upgrades at several parks, pools and playgrounds.
New Richardson Fire Master Plan calls for new station, department growth
A new plan is to guide the next eight years of expansion for the Richardson Fire Department.
Richardson’s new Fire Department Strategic Master Plan was approved by City Council on Nov. 10.
The plan includes several initiatives that could be included in the city’s 2026 bond election, including the addition of a seventh fire station in Richardson.
Richardson ISD on track to transition all 6 junior highs to middle schools by 2028
Richardson ISD’s six remaining junior highs are on track for expansion into middle schools by 2028, district officials presented to the school board at its Dec. 11 meeting.
RISD’s middle school transformation, which transitions sixth graders from elementary to junior high campuses, began with Lake Highlands and Forest Meadow, which opened as middle schools last year.
The 2025 bond that voters approved in November will fund construction on the remaining six junior high campuses to convert to middle schools.
New H-E-B on track to open near Richardson after Dallas City Council approval
The first H-E-B is coming to the city of Dallas, near the Richardson border, after Dallas City Council approved a zoning request for the grocery store in its Dec. 10 meeting.
Located on the southeast corner of Hillcrest Road and LBJ Freeway, the new store would become the closest H-E-B to Richardson.
H-E-B plans to demolish the three office buildings that are currently on the site to make way for the over 100,000-square-foot store, according to city documents. H-E-B also plans to add dedicated turning lanes on Hillcrest Plaza at Hillcrest to direct traffic into the store parking lot.
Richardson City Council OKs office buildings to welcome retail and service businesses
Two multitenant office buildings will now be able to house retail and service businesses after Richardson City Council unanimously approved a rezoning for additional uses in the Dec. 8 meeting.
The office buildings, located at 508 Twilight Trail in what is called Twilight Plaza, were purchased by their current owners, the Pardues, in 2019. Owner Taylor Pardue said there has been limited interest in the traditional office space since 2020, and they have been unable to acquire new tenants.
The proposed additional uses include a bakery, community garden, fine arts studio, health club, restaurant and more.
