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RICHARDSON EDITION
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 8 MAY 4 JUNE 1, 2023
GROWTH IN THE INDUSTRY
The semiconductor industry within Richardson has grown into a large facet of the city’s economy. A variety of companies produce semiconductors in city limits from big companies such as Texas Instruments to smaller manufacturers such as Photodigm.
$1.44B 20.12%
value of goods produced by semiconductor industry in Richardson
12+
increase of tech employees in North Texas from 2017-22 SOURCES: COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, CITY OF RICHARDSON, DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER COMMUNITY IMPACT
semiconductor-related companies in Richardson
New beer garden serving brews in Richardson
4
Construction resumes on Belt + Main development
9
Bountiful bouquets found at Backstage Florist
11
Employees at Richardson-based Photodigm manufacture specialty semiconductor chips that are used in a number of industries ranging from biomedical uses to defense and environmental technologies. (Jackson King/Community Impact)
City’s semiconductor industry could see production boom with federal funding
Seafood spot brings Tex- Mex twist to classic dishes
BY JACKSON KING
Paul Voelker said. “These [semiconductors] provide tools or software aiding our [other] local businesses, so it’s a signi cant industry for Richardson,” he said. One of the ways the industry is expected to drive future growth in the city is by expanding local semi- conductor production through the use of federal funding. Signed into law last year by the federal government, the Creat- ing Helpful Incentives to Produce
Semiconductors and Science Act, or CHIPS and Science Act, is a bipar- tisan legislative package designed to create more jobs and lower pro- duction costs for semiconductor companies, including those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It will pro- vide $52.7 billion for American semiconductor research and devel- opment, manufacturing, and work- force development. Since the passage of the act, CONTINUED ON 14
16
Among the many technology busi- nesses in Richardson, the semicon- ductor industry is set for continued growth that o cials said will bene t the city through national security initiatives and keeping residents’ property tax bills lower. The industry’s growth has greatly bene ted Richardson’s tech- friendly business ecosystem, which has been de ned by the rise in semiconductor production, Mayor
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ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Tracy Ruckel
FROM TRACY: After some delays, the Belt + Main development in downtown has resumed construction. In this edition, learn more about the project and how it seeks to bring more housing to the area (see Page 9). Also, you can learn more about how to get involved in helping Dallas Area Rapid Transit determine its new fee structure (see Page 7). In addition, readers can find information on where to find some seafood around town that has a unique twist (see Page 16). Tracy Ruckel, GENERAL MANAGER
EDITOR Kevin Cummings REPORTER Jackson King
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FROM KEVIN: Richardson has long been a hub of emerging technology. In this edition, learn more about how the city is positioning itself to be a center for one of the next tech frontiers: semiconductor manufacturing (see Pages 14-15). Readers can also get the scoop on the latest happenings in the Texas legislative session (see Page 10) along with details on where to find bountiful bouquets ahead of Mother’s Day (see Page 11). Kevin Cummings, EDITOR
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RICHARDSON EDITION • MAY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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JACKSON KING COMMUNITY IMPACT
Booze Beverage Co., which launched an alcohol-free pop-up concept in January in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. www.facebook.com/bbbevco COMING SOON 7 Quick Driving School is expected to open in May in Richardson at 525 W. Arapaho Road, Ste. 3. The driving school will be the company’s second location after its original Irving business, which opened in 2014. Quick Driving School o ers driving training for beginners, nervous drivers and the elderly, accord- ing to the company. The business also o ers the use of a training car for road tests. 469-463-0726 (Irving location). https://quickdriving.us 8 Old Damascus Mediterranean is expected to open in early May in Rich- ardson at 1310 W. Campbell Road, Ste. 108. However, no grand opening date has been announced. The Mediterranean restaurant will o er a variety of dishes, including hummus, kebab, shawarma and falafel. Old Damascus will also o er Med- iterranean treats, including sujuk, a spicy fermented sausage that is consumed in numerous cultures. 402-314-2129. 9 Happy Hippie Brewing Company is expected to open a brewery/taproom in Richardson this summer. The local beer company will open its rst permanent location in the Lockwood district of Richardson at 500 Lockwood Drive. No grand opening date has been announced, but a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ling said construction on the taproom is scheduled to wrap up in July. Happy Hippie Brewing o ers a variety of craft beers, including IPAs
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NOW OPEN 1 Dogtopia opened in Richardson on March 20 at the Shire at CityLine, located at 2121 Infocom Drive. A dog day care, boarding and grooming center, Dog- topia has various playrooms that o er fun for dogs of similar size and tem- perament, according to a press release. 469-202-0787. www.dogtopia.com/ richardson-theshire-cityline 2 Studio and event space The Glossary opened March 13 in Richardson at 499 W. Arapaho Road. According to the company’s website, the photography-focused center is a locally owned, creative space designed for photo and video production use, private events and intimate gatherings. Found- ed by Adrienne Redman and Brittany Kroll, The Glossary o ers access to more than 1,400 square feet of naturally lit space, including a beauty station and a
5 Old 75 Beer Garden held its grand opening April 21 in the Richardson Restaurant Park at 740 S. Central Expressway. The outdoor event space serves a variety of beers alongside an original menu, featuring American bar food. Construction began in April 2022 on the 16,000-square-foot outdoor dining and entertainment plaza, which includes picnic tables, a bar, a re pit with seating, cabanas, space for live music or movie screenings, and space for a food truck. 866-653-7524. www.old75beergarden.com 6 Beyond the Bar held a soft open- ing April 29 for it nonalcoholic cock- tails storefront in Richardson at 101 S. Sherman St., Ste. B. The bottle shop, which is located in the historic downtown area of Richardson, sells alcohol-free spirits, including botanicals, mixers, and alcohol-free beer and wine. Beyond the Bar will be operated by Beyond
private dressing room. 214-974-4874. www.intheglossary.co 3 New York Pizza & Pints opened in Richardson on April 30 at the corner of Jupiter Road and Arapaho Road. The piz- za restaurant, which has seven locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is located at 901 N. Jupiter Road, Ste. 100. New York Pizza & Pints specializes in New York-style crust, 24-inch pizzas called “piezillas” and pizzas by the slice. The restaurant also o ers a variety of craft beers and growlers to go. 214-272-9443. www.nypizzaandpints.com 4 Thrift Town opened in Richardson on April 21 at 1455 W. Buckingham Road. The thrift store has four locations across the country, including a store on Westmore- land Road in Dallas. Thrift Town o ers a variety of secondhand merchandise, including home decor, shoes, books, toys and jewelry. www.thrifttownstores.com
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The Caroline Eastside, expected to open in 2025, will include 384 units.
KEVIN CUMMINGS COMMUNITY IMPACT
FEATURED IMPACT EXPANSION Construction is underway on an expansion to The Caroline Eastside apartment complex, which is located near North Central Expressway and Campbell Road in Richardson. A groundbreaking ceremony was held March 9 for the development, which is located at 1735 N. Greenville Ave. adjacent to sister property The Mallory Eastside. The Caroline will include 384 apartment units with a mix of studio, and one-, two- and three-bedroom options, according to a press release. Apartment amenities include spacious, modern oor plans, luxury nishes, high ceilings and eco-friendly features. Residents will also have access to an on-site coworking space, a clubhouse, a two-story gym, a dog
DESIGNED FOR ALL FITNESS LEVELS
park, a rooftop lounge, a spa pool and an indoor/outdoor lounge area, a game room, and easy access to Central Trail. The project is led by investment rm Hunt Companies. Construction will be led by KWA Construction, while leasing and management of the property will be led by ZRS Management. Preleasing from the temporary o ce on-site will begin in the fourth quarter of this year with move- ins scheduled to begin in 2025. www.huntcompanies.com
7517 Campbell Rd, Suite 601 Dallas TX 75248 (469)983-2805 northdallas.spenga.com
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and milk stouts. According to company o cials, the taproom is expected to have live music three nights a week.
12 Chili Gordos Mexican Cafe in Richardson has recently rebranded to Taqueria Chili Gordos . The business opened under its new name in Jan- uary at the current location, 1151 N. Jupiter Road, Ste. 119. Taqueria Chili Gordos, which recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary Feb. 28, serves classic Tex-Mex cuisine, including tacos, fajitas and enchiladas. 972-234-2505. www.facebook.com/chiligordos CLOSINGS 13 Isabelly’s Chocolates and Sweet Treats closed in Richardson in early March. The store, which was located in downtown Richardson at 200 E. Main St., was in operation for more than nine years. The dessert shop o ered a variety of specialty products, including cake balls, gourmet cake trues, brownie trues and ne chocolates. Isabelly’s will continue to o er its products online through its website. 972-803-4360. www.isabellys.com
www.happyhippiebeer.com ANNIVERSARIES
10 Shady’s Burgers & Brewhaha , a neighborhood restaurant and bar, cele- brated its 10-year anniversary in April. The Richardson burger joint, which is located at 2701 Custer Parkway, Ste. 915, rst opened April 1, 2013, in the Canyon Creek neighborhood. Shady’s, which also has a location in the Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas, is a casual dining restaurant and bar that serves scratch food, local beers and cocktails, accord- ing to a press release. 214-484-2689. https://shadysburgers.com NAME CHANGES 11 Mr. Broast in Richardson has re- cently rebranded to Chick N Chips . The business, located at 1801 N. Greenville Ave., opened under its new name March 27. Chick N Chips’ menu specializes in chicken, burgers and wraps, includ- ing the Zinger Burger. 214-792-9249. www.mrbroast.com
jaspersrichardson.com | (214)-716-2610 |
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RICHARDSON EDITION • MAY 2023
TO DO LIST
May events
COMPILED BY JACKSON KING
12 THROUGH JUNE 04 ENJOY A PLAY AT THE CORE THEATRE
14 CHECK OUT AN ARIZONA COUNTRY BAND Arizona country band Last Train to Juarez performs at the Six Springs Tavern. Formed in late 2018, the band has created a sound that captures the spirit of “real country music,” according to the event’s description. The band mostly plays original music, but attendees can hear cover songs by artists such as Hank Williams Jr. and Merle Haggard. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online. $12. Six Springs Tavern, 147 N. Plano Road, Richardson. 469-917-3040. www.sixspringslive.com 17 FIND A FAVORITE WINE As part of the CityLine class series, Tricky Fish at CityLine hosts a wine tasting May 17 in the CityLine Plaza. Those who attend can gain the knowledge needed to choose a favorite glass of wine, as experts progress through a curated selection of wines while teaching about each, according to the event’s description. Attendees are greeted with a glass of prosecco alongside di erent pours of wines from a wine list. Each wine has been selected to pair perfectly with seafood bites from the Tricky Fish menu. 6-7:30 p.m. $40 per person. CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St., Richardson. 972-739-5080. https://citylinedfw.com/events
MAY 06 THROUGH 07
The Core Theatre hosts performances of the play “Our Town” May 12-June 4. Written by Thornton Wilder and directed by James Hansen Prince, “Our Town” explores the relationship between two young neighbors, whose childhood friendship blossoms into romance before culminating in marriage, according to the event’s description. Showtimes vary. $15- $25. The Core Theatre, 518 West Arapaho Road, Ste.115, Richardson. 214-930-5338. https://thecoretheatre.org 14 LISTEN TO WORKS BY A RICHARDSON NATIVE The Lone Star Youth Winds will close out their 2022-23 concert season with a Mother’s Day concert at the Eisemann Center celebrating the music of composer Frank Ticheli. According to a press release, Ticheli, a Richardson native, is one of the preeminent and world-renowned composers of wind band music seeking to capture the “Americana spirit” and will be in attendance at the performance. Tickets can be purchased online. 2 p.m. $45- $60. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson. 972-744-4650. www.eisemanncenter.com/events-tickets
ATTEND A JURIED ART SHOW The semiannual Cottonwood Art Festival features work from the nation’s top visual artists. Illinois-based painter Karina Llergo is the featured artist, with work known for capturing the energy of the human body in motion. She has attended a variety of art festivals across the U.S., earning a number of best-of-show and outstanding-achievement awards for her work. The festival also includes live music, dining options and a creative children’s area. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (May 6), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (May 7). Free (admission). Cottonwood Park, 1301 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson. 972-744-4580. www.cottonwoodartfestival.com 07 LISTEN TO THE RICHARDSON COMMUNITY BAND The Richardson Community Band performs at the Charles W. Eisemann Center. According to a press release, the band’s performance celebrates all things royal, from the queen of England to Queen Bey and Leslie Massenburg, the “queen of bassoon.” Tickets can be purchased online. 2 p.m. $45-$60. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson. 972-744-4650. www.eisemanncenter.com/events-tickets
The Wild ower Festival returns May 19 21.
JACKSON KING COMMUNITY IMPACT
FEATURED EVENT Rock out at the Wild ower Festival The Wild ower! Arts & Music Festival returns in May to the Galatyn Park Urban Center. The three-day festival features live music, a battle of the bands, a songwriting competition and more. Headliners include X Ambassadors, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, and Jimmie Vaughan and The Tilt-A-Whirl Band. 6 p.m.- midnight (May 19), 11 a.m.-midnight (May 20), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (May 21). $35 (single day), $75 (three-day pass), free (age 12 and under). Galatyn Park Urban Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson www.wild owerfestival.com
Find more or submit Richardson events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES DART seeking
COMPILED BY JACKSON KING
ONGOING PROJECTS
input on changes to fare structure Dallas Area Rapid Transit launched a comprehensive study in April to explore changes to its fare structure and pass programs. The study is designed to ensure DART services are simpli ed, consistent and equitable for customers throughout North Texas, according to DART o cials. As part of the study, which will take place through August, DART o cials are asking residents to complete a ve-minute online survey at https://dart.org designed to gather opinions about the fare structure and help DART determine what, if any, changes should be made. “Transportation is more than a ride from one point to another,” said Gordon Shattles, DART associate vice president of external relations. “By working together with the many communities we serve, the agency
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A PR���� L���L��� L�AD�R with U�PARALL�L�D QUAL����A����� ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF APRIL 21. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT RICNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. Utility work to temporarily narrow Belt Line Road near Coit Road The right lanes of eastbound and westbound Belt Line Road between Coit Road and Dogwood Drive will be closed to tra c at various times due to a gas leak repair taking place on the south side of Belt Line Road. The work will also reduce Cherrywood Drive to one lane between Brookwood Drive and Coit Road with aggers present to help with the alternate movement of tra c. Timeline: April-early June Cost: N/A Funding source: privately funded
DART o cials are conducting a survey through August for the community to comment on the transportation system’s fare structure. (Courtesy Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
will explore how to meet our goals of an equitable and simpli ed fare policy for all of our riders.” Shattles said the transportation company is looking for feedback from former, current and future customers to understand their perceptions and needs around transit fares, what their biggest fare-related challenges are, and what opportunities DART should consider improving for riders. Feedback from the survey will be considered for adoption by the DART board of directors, according
to Shattles. DART o ers public transit services for 220,000 passengers per day across a 700-square-mile service area in Dallas and 12 neighboring cities, including Richardson and Plano. The public transit network includes the rail system, bus routes and other transit services. To incentivize completing the survey, DART o cials are o ering participants who provide contact information the opportunity to enter in a ra e to win a $500 gift card.
512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu
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RICHARDSON EDITION • MAY 2023
Jeng Chi Restaurant & Bakery
400 N. Greenville Ave. #11 Richardson, TX 75081 972/669-9094 www.jengchirestaurant.com
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Orthopedic care focused on getting you back to being you Whether the years or the miles have caught up to you, Methodist Richardson Medical Center is here for your orthopedic needs. From emergency care to aches, pains, and chronic injuries, our care team and specialists on the medical sta are ready with imaging, nonsurgical and surgical treatment options, physical therapy, and more. Providing our friends and neighbors with the patient-focused orthopedic care they depend on. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist.
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Find a doctor at MethodistHealthSystem.org/Richardson or call 469-707-8670
Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical sta are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its aliated hospitals. Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
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DEVELOPMENT
Belt + Main will be a major residential and commercial center in the heart of historic downtown once completed in 2024. (Renderings courtesy Catalyst Urban Development)
Progress resumes on Belt + Main development in downtown
PREPARING FOR COMPLETION
The Belt + Main development is expected to start opening in late 2023 in the historic downtown area of Richardson after months of construction delays. APRIL 2021: Belt + Main construction begins NOVEMBER 2022: Construction on development stops JANUARY 2023: Construction resumes with new general contractor FALL 2023: First building expected to open SPRING 2024: Entire site expected to be fully open SOURCE: CATALYST URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
BY JACKSON KING
Once completed, the development will include 15,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, 350 mul- tifamily units, and 900 townhouses. Many construction projects have seen delays across the country, according to Leigh Richter, executive vice president of investment services for Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services, which handles commercial real estate deals in the region. “Issues in the supply chain have de nitely impacted how we do business,” Richter said. According to Richter, delays have been caused by issues that include an increase in interest rates and the cost of materials, in addition to di culty nding trained and quali ed workers. “It has the trickle e ect of, if you own a piece of dirt, you don’t really want to break ground right now, ... because it’s not very exciting that it’s
Progress is resuming on the Belt + Main mixed-use development in Richardson after months of delays. Under construction since 2021, the mixed-use development has seen delays since November 2022 due to “problems” with the general contrac- tor and supply chain issues, accord- ing to Paris Rutherford, president of Catalyst Urban Development, the company overseeing the project. “Now that we have momentum moving, we expect e ciency and continuous progress going forward,” Rutherford said. Since shifting to new general contractor Andres Construction in December, work began in January on structure framing in parts of the development. Installation of air condi- tioning, electrical work and plumbing is set to start in the next few weeks.
Once opened, Belt + Main will add 350 apartment units in downtown.
going to cost substantially more to build,” Richter said. Rutherford said the project’s rst residential and retail building is set to open this fall. He said one of the site’s ve buildings is expected to be opened every following month, with the entire development space expected to open in spring 2024.
“We have been able to navigate this di cult period, but it’s been a challenge,” he said. Work on Belt + Main, including construction on a park adjacent to the project that’s set to begin in the next two months, is part of a larger e ort to revitalize the historic downtown area, according to Rutherford.
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RICHARDSON EDITION • MAY 2023
AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
HIGHLIGHTS House Bill 1836 Justin Holland, R-Rockwall, led a bill to amend the Texas Pledge of Allegiance to add the phrase “God bless Texas” to the end. If passed by two- thirds of members in the House and Senate, the new wording of the pledge would take e ect at the beginning of September. The bill has been referred to the State A airs House Committee. House Bill 1265 Angie Chen Button, R-Richardson, led a bill to amend the state’s tax code that applies to the exemption of certain medical-related items. If passed, the bill would add wound care dressings, such as bandages and medical tape, along with feminine hygiene products to the list of exempted items. If passed, the bill would take e ect in September. It has been referred to the House Ways & Means Committee. NUMBER TO KNOW That’s how much Texas lawmakers have allocated for the 2024-25 state budget. Members from the House and Senate will meet to hammer out the details of the budget before it heads to the governor’s desk. $161B
Senate puts $2B toward mental health care expansion The Texas Senate has proposed a $2.3 billion investment in the state’s mental health care system, including upgrades to and construction of several state mental health facilities. Money will be allocated to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission by Senate Bill 30, a supplemental funding bill. The Senate unanimously passed SB 26 by Sen. Lois BY HANNAH NORTON BUILDING MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES The Texas Senate’s $2.3 billion plan includes the construc- tion of new mental health facilities and upgrading existing facilities to increase capacity in Austin, San Antonio, North Texas, Montgomery County, El Paso and Tyler.
New construction/ upgrades
North Texas State hospital
Kolkhorst, R Brenham, on April 13. The bill would create a $15 billion “innovation grant” program to help local mental health centers provide early intervention and treatment for children and their families. At an April 13 news conference, Kolkhorst said mental health needs have increased signi cantly in Texas since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said roughly 1,000 Texans were on waitlists for forensic hospital beds, which are used for people in the criminal justice system who have mental illnesses, before the pandemic. Since then, Kolkhorst said the waitlist has “exploded to nearly 2,500.” Many state hospitals, state-supported living centers and local mental health facilities are also facing sta ng issues. The Senate passed SB 25, a nursing education bill, with a unanimous vote March 30. The bill would create scholar- ships, grants and a loan repayment program for nursing students.
Terrell State hospital UT Tyler
Amarillo State hospital
Lubbock State hospital Sunrise Canyon
El Paso psychiatric center
Uvalde behaviorial health center
San Antonio State hospital
Montgomery County mental health
Victoria County
Rio Grande State center
SOURCE: TEXAS SENATE AND TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TOP FLOWERS FOR MOTHER’S DAY
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For the annual holiday, co-owner Zubair Awan said Backstage Florist plans to stock: 1 PINK LILIES “They have a beautiful, strong fragrance that is perfect for the home,” Awan said. 2 HYDRANGEAS “We’ll have many of these in green and the traditional white color,” Awan said. 3 PEONIES “People know this is a premium quality and a really delicate ower,” Awan said.
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BUSINESS FEATURE
Backstage Florist uses fresh-cut owers daily, including a variety of pink lilies. (Photos by Jackson King/Community Impact)
Backstage Florist Local shop o ers fresh-cut owers in Richardson W hen Zubair Awan, a Pakistani native, immigrated to America from the United Arab Emirates in 2015, he had goals of BY JACKSON KING
“I don’t want to deal with old owers, so we refresh our inventory every morning to make sure everything is as good as possible,” Awan said. “[Customers] already know our work, so they are sure what they are going to get.” At the store, the orist sells fresh owers and plants in store and online, o ering two-hour delivery on any purchase. The business also sells keepsake gifts, gourmet baskets and centerpieces, while o ering oral arrangement services for parties and special events. “We bring smiles to people’s faces no matter what they spend,” Awan said. “Being in this industry for such a long time now, it’s easier for me to under- stand what the person is looking for.” Awan said he has seen the generosity from the community. He said the business receives orders from across the country for relatives living near Richardson, having been recommended by locals because of the business’ commitment to quality. While the business is always looking to expand, Awan said he is proud to be providing for local businesses and residents as a Richardson orist. “We are going to provide you ... better quality and better customer service than any other orist,” Awan said.
pursuing the classic American dream, owning a business and providing for the community. After moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he found his ideal opportunity in Richardson, co-pur- chasing the Backstage Florist shop near Campbell Road. Despite no history of owning a ower shop, Awan said he jumped at the opportunity. He has now operated the shop for the past seven years. With a background in furniture sales, Awan said it took some time to learn the creative side of the business, including how to arrange ower bou- quets. Nowadays, he is in charge of a majority of the bouquet arrangements, which he said is one of the more rewarding aspects of the job. “I learned I have that skill for creating something magical,” Awan said. “It’s a fun job, and you should always do what you love and love the work you do.” The shop moved in 2019 within Richardson into its location on Plano Road to give the shop better access along a major road. Being situated between Richardson and Dallas allows the shop to use freshly cut owers every day, according to Awan.
Zubair Awan bought Richardson’s Backstage Florist in 2016 and has co-operated the business since.
Backstage Florist 2050 N. Plano Road, Ste. 100, Richardson 972-644-6666 www.backstage owers.net
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., closed Sun.
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RICHARDSON EDITION • MAY 2023
CITY & SCHOOLS
News from Richardson, Richardson ISD, Plano, Dallas County & Collin County
Richardson City Council meets May 8, 15 and 22 at 6 p.m. Due to a re at City Hall, council meetings have been temporarily relocated to the Richardson Police Department at 600 N. Greenville Ave. www.cor.net Richardson ISD board of trustees meets May 18 at 6 p.m. at the RISD Administration Building, 400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson. The meetings are streamed live online at www.risd.org. MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS PLANO CITY COUNCIL Approved a zoning change during its April 10 meeting that will see 5.2 acres of land on J Place developed into 307 multifamily units by apartment developer Trinsic Residential. The plot of land is just north of SH 190 and the Richardson border. Council categorized the development as transit-oriented due to its proximity to the CityLine/Bush Dallas Area Rapid Transit Station and the planned 12th Street Silver Line Station. The complex is also set to feature a parking structure between the residential units and SH 190, and 10%-20% of the development must be active open space, such as playgrounds.
RISD eyes enrollment expansion
RISD opposes state program funding private education
The Counseling Place seeking expansion
Homelessness count shows decline in region
HOMELESSNESS BY RACE AND ETHNICITY During its count, Housing Forward identi ed 4,244 homeless individuals.
BY JACKSON KING
BY CECILIA LENZEN
RICHARDSON A local mental health center is seeking to tackle growing needs while nding more funding. Heading into the summer, Debo- rah Dobbs, executive director of The Counseling Place, said the city-af- liated nonpro t is looking to bring its Project Positive program, which provides stress-coping coaching and the development of positive habits for youths, to Richardson ISD. While seeing an increase in clients struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues since, the center has eliminated a six-person team of counselors due to funding issues, leading it to turn away at least 100 people, Director of Development Cindy Shafer said. She added the nonpro t hopes to hire two more full-time employees, which is estimated to cost $288,000 annually, with each able to provide 960 sessions.
DALLAS & COLLIN COUNTIES The number of
4,244 homeless individuals counted in 2023
BY JACKSON KING
homeless individuals in the local counties is at its lowest in ve years with 4,244 individuals counted. Housing Forward, a North Texas nonpro t serving the homeless population, announced the new data during its annual State of Homelessness address April 13 based on a federally mandated point-in-time count of the homeless population in the counties. According to the count, home- lessness in the two counties dropped by about 4% since 2022. While homelessness decreased overall, the number of veterans and youth experiencing it increased since 2022. This year, Housing Forward counted 194 youth ages 18-24 and 365 veterans experienc- ing homelessness, up from 164 and 302, respectively.
BY JACKSON KING
RICHARDSON ISD O cials announced their opposition to proposed state legisla- tion that would create a savings account for parents who opt out of public school during an April 13 meeting. “We need Austin to fully fund public education so we can meet the demands we have,” Superintendent Tabitha Branum said. “Until you fully fund public education, do not use these funds in a way that is going to hurt us.” The proposed legislation would give families who leave public schools $8,000 to spend at private schools or on other educational costs. A concern for RISD is the lack of account- ability for schools under the proposed voucher system. In addition, one of the board’s legislative priorities was to ensure state funding or tax dollars used to fund education is held accountable by taxpayers.
RICHARDSON ISD O cials are looking to increase the district’s enrollment by allowing more students from outside the district to enroll in the 2023-24 school year. During a March 30 meeting, the RISD board of trustees discussed the proposed program, known as the Open Enrollment Inter-District Transfer program, which would allow students who live outside the district’s boundaries the opportunity to apply for enrollment at an RISD school. No decision or vote on the program was taken by the board. District o cials expect the program to help solve a $23.7 million budgetary de cit caused by reduced enrollment, in ation and a lack of new state funding since before the
Richardson ISD is looking to enroll students from outside the district to help with a $23.7 million budget shortfall. (Courtesy Richardson ISD)
59.5% Black 34.8% White* 2.3% Multiple races
1.5% Asian or Asian American 0.4% Native Hawaiian or Paci c Islander
pandemic, according to Super- intendent Tabitha Branum. Branum said while open enrollment would not be a standalone solution to the budgetary shortfall, she has heard an appetite from the board to expand the district’s school choice programs, both strengthening RISD’s magnet program and providing more options to students. “We have a newer demo- graphic in our community that
is asking for some of the choice options that are available in the surrounding districts,” Branum said at the meeting. If approved, the district would utilize it in a limited capacity during the 2023-24 school year and consider expansions for the 2024-25 school year. Open-enrollment transfer applications would be for students in grades K-12 based on availability.
1.5% American Indian, Alaska Native or Indigenous
*INCLUDES HISPANIC LATINO PEOPLE SOURCE: HOUSING FORWARD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Joli Angel Robinson, president and CEO of Housing Forward, said the organization plans to expand its rapid rehousing program. The program has housed 1,871 people since October 2021 and plans to serve 6,000 by 2025.
DALLAS 9500 North Central Expressway (214) 369-2800 ADDISON 15055 Inwood Road (972) 239-5891
SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION POWERS ECONOMIES
an economic district that city offi- cials are working to make a “premier tech hub in Texas.” In 2022, semiconductor businesses in Richardson generated $1.44 billion in gross regional product, which is a measure of the value of goods pro- duced regionally, equal to 11.4% of the entire state’s output, according to the Dallas Regional Chamber. As a whole, the Dallas-Fort Worth area contrib- uted $6.33 billion in gross regional product and added 14,010 tech jobs in 2022, according to data from non- profit trade association The Comput- ing Technology Industry Association. That same year, TI expanded its manufacturing facility in Richard- son without federal funding with the addition of a second 300-millimeter wafer fabrication plant. According to TI officials, the new plant will sup- port approximately 800 new jobs over time and manufacture more than 100 million chips every day at full production. The ubiquity of semiconductor technology has helped position Richardson as a hub for innovation in other industries, Voelker said. “It is the foundation of the tech- nology that is Richardson,” he said. “The telecommunications industry was built off of the prowess of our semiconductor technology and the workforce that was here.” Business-friendly community According to City Manager Don Magner, maintaining that busi- ness-friendly balance is necessary to allow the city to offer a variety of special programs and events, includ- ing the Wildflower! Arts & Music Fes- tival, while keeping the tax burden as low as possible on residents. “We have to have a strong business ecosystem in order to keep our resi- dential property tax as low as it is,” Magner said. “Having a diverse set of technology businesses operating and locating here will ensure our success in the future, and it also makes us much more resilient as an economy.” In Richardson, 60% of property tax revenue is collected from commer- cial businesses with the remaining 40% obtained from homeowners. The city’s residential property tax reached its lowest point since 2006 during fiscal year 2022-23 alongside an increase in home values, accord- ing to city officials. To recruit and retain companies, Richardson has positioned itself as an ally to tech businesses by its proximity to UT Dallas and offering
CONTINUED FROM 1
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, has met with several local businesses that create semiconductor chips to gauge the region’s need for federal funding. “We want to be self-sufficient in terms of creating our chips and make sure the next-generation chips are made properly,” he said during a visit. “We need to scale up and make sure that we can expand the use of the [technology] that’s going to have huge implications for our economy and for national security.” One local company eyeing the fed- eral funding is Photodigm, which develops speciality chips used in a variety of biomedical, sensing, envi- ronmental and defense technologies. The company was founded in 2000 as a spinoff of research at Southern Meth- odist University. CEO Bill Stuart said utilizing federal funding would allow smaller companies like his to better compete with larger companies. He wants to expand operations at Pho- todigm’s headquarters by building a high-scale semiconductor fabrication facility, acquiring specialty equipment and hiring more employees. “Even though we’ve been around a long time, there has been a limita- tion for us to really go out and make a name for the technology ... because we are limited by capital,” Stuart said. Importance of semiconductors Since the invention of the transis- tor in the 1940s, the semiconductor industry has become a key compo- nent of daily life in the digital age, according to Voelker. Semiconductor chips are both a crucial component of the technol- ogy industry and already utilized by most Richardson residents, accord- ing to Texas Instruments officials. “Nearly every device that plugs into a wall or contains a battery has a TI semiconductor in it,” TI spokes- person Ellen Fishpaw said via email. “Our approximately 80,000 prod- ucts help over 100,000 customers.” After opening operations near Richardson in 1956, TI’s demand for tech-related jobs in Richardson has contributed to a high volume of employment and a skilled workforce in the city. That led to the creation of what became The University of Texas at Dallas, which grew out of a private TI research arm, according to city officials. The university later became instrumental in helping with the development of what became The Richardson Innovation Quarter,
Richardson accounts for nearly 25% of all semiconductor gross regional product, or GRP, in North Texas, which itself accounts for over 50% of all state production. GRP measures the market value of goods and services produced in a region.
The city of Richardson has contributed greatly to North Texas’ semiconductor industry, generating 22.75% of the GRP for the region in the semiconductor industry. Major semiconductor manufacturers in the city include Texas Instruments and Qorvo.
$1.44B RICHARDSON
$6.33B NORTH TEXAS
Compared to the state’s other metro areas, the Dallas-Fort Worth area accounts for 50.12% of the value of goods produced in the semiconductor industry in Texas at $6.33 billion.
Among the 50 states, Texas accounted for $12.63 billion in GRP in the semiconductor industry, which is equivalent to 12.17% of the nation’s entire output.
$12.63B TEXAS
SOURCE: DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER/COMMUNITY IMPACT
TECH EMPLOYMENT IN DFW REGION Over the last five years, the technology industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has experienced steady growth with employment expected to reach nearly 350,000 workers in 2023. Number of employees “ALL OF THESE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES ... CAME TO THE RICHARDSON AREA BECAUSE WE WERE A TECHNOLOGY-BASED CITY. AND THAT ALL STARTED WITH SEMICONDUCTORS.” PAUL VOELKER, RICHARDSON MAYOR
24.75% increase since 2017
350,000 300,000 400,000 200,000 250,000
0
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022 2023*
*PROJECTED INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT SOURCE: COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCERS IN RICHARDSON
multiple ways of getting around the city, according to Fishpaw. Richardson officials said the city also offers case-by-case incentives to businesses to stimulate eco- nomic development, including tax abatements. Under Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code, incentives that can be offered include property or sales tax rebates as well as lump sum payments to help busi- nesses offset moving expenses, building costs and other expenses. International tech businesses moving to the area have led to the development of most of the city’s cultural communities, Voelker said. “All of these international compa- nies .. came to the Richardson area because we were a technology-based city,” Voelker said “And that all started with semiconductors.” Funding through CHIPS Act As the demand for production increases for both general and spe- cialized semiconductor chips, Stuart said the use of federal funding would be a real game changer for smaller companies such as Photodigm. “It’s … about the impact of inno- vation,” he said. “Our goal is to take our technology and lower the unit
cost that it requires to make it so the product can compete price for price with other types of chips.” In terms of equipment, Stu- art plans to use federal funding to replace 20-year-old equipment with a new custom fabrication facility focused on the specialty chips the company produces. Stuart said he hopes to hire 200-250 employees for the new facility, which would be seven times its current workforce. Businesses are expected to be accepted and announced for federal funding starting May 1, according to Photodigm officials. Allred said the North Texas region is fortunate to have a long legacy of leading the semiconductor industry, and state and federal governments should keep investing in the region. “If we don’t make these smart investments, then we’ve seen that industries can leave,” he said. “We don’t want that to happen in Rich- ardson, but to do that, you have to keep innovating, keep making smart investments and keep bringing in smart people.”
Since Texas Instruments set up shop near Richardson in 1959, more than a dozen semiconductor-related companies have planted operations across the city in the following decades.
1970s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Richardson city limits
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3
PGBT TOLL
75
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10
4
CAMPBELL RD. 7
1 Honeywell: 1978 2 VLSIP Technologies: 1993 3 Qorvo: 1996 4 Onto Innovation: 2003 5 Photodigm: 2003 6 Advantest America: 2007 7 Anora Labs: 2008 8 Texas Instruments (Wafer Fab Plant): 2009 9 Arm: 2017 10 ON Semiconductor: 2018
6
5
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ARAPAHO RD.
1
2
BELT LINE RD.
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOURCES: SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, DALLAS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
11 Altum RF: 2019 12 Infinera: 2020
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
Richardson REAL HEROES
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RICHARDSON EDITION • MAY 2023
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