Category: News

Mayor Paul Voelker and the Richardson City Council presented the City’s annual State of the City Address Jan. 25 at the Eisemann Center. Mayor Voelker highlighted recent accomplishments, and also spoke about some of the things on the horizon in 2023.

Enrollment is now open for the 2023 Citizen Fire Academy (CFA) class, which begins March 22 and graduates May 24.

The Mayor and City Council held their annual State of the City Address Wednesday evening, highlighting the City’s achievements in 2022, including quick recovery from the City Hall fire, the lowest tax rates since 2006 and noteworthy progress in six signature live-work destinations around the community.

The City is currently in negotiations on a 77,000-square-foot leased space to bring City Hall services and functions back together under one roof and serve as a temporary location for the Richardson Public Library. Earlier this month, the City Council authorized the City Manager to sign a 3.5-year lease for the space, located at 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., with the option to extend as needed. The space is expected to be ready for initial move-ins by summer. 

City staff briefed the City Council Monday on the status of planned renovations for City Hall and the Richardson Public Library, in light of the fire that occurred at City Hall last August. Both renovation projects, part of the 2021 Bond Program approved by voters, were under design at the time of the fire and have been on hold while the extent of the damage has been studied. 

After applications were considered by the City Council in late 2022, several people were officially appointed/reappointed and sworn in to serve on City Boards and Commissions at Monday’s City Council meeting. Boards and Commissions represented include the Animal Services Advisory Commission, City Plan Commission, Civil Service Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Sign Control Board, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment/Buildings and Standards Commission.

The Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 31 to provide information about upcoming Berkner Park playground renovations, and to receive input. The meeting will take place at Springridge Elementary School, 1801 E. Spring Valley Rd., from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Parks plans to renovate the playground this summer with all new equipment, funded through the City’s 2021 bond program.

The February 2023 issue of Richardson Today has been sent to the printer and is expected to hit mailboxes next week. It includes an in-depth look at the recent State of the City Address, as well as information about Richardson’s historical connection to NASA and the space race as well as a “Did You Know?” piece about municipal facilities available for public rental.