Richardson | July 2025

Government

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

City sta outlines upcoming parks and rec priorities Upcoming priorities for Richardson’s Parks and Recreation Department could include replacing segments of concrete walking trails and median ren- ovations, according to a presentation from Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Shohn Rodgers. Rodgers presented project updates from scal year 2024-25, along with potential priorities for FY 2025- 26, during the July 14 City Council meeting.

Commission OKs new warehouse space in Richardson A section of the current building located at 2801 Telecom Parkway could be demolished to construct a new warehouse building following action taken by the Richardson Community Planning Commission. The details The property owner intends to demolish the existing 90,481-square-foot, three-story oce building on the south side of the property and construct a single-story, 343,624-square-foot warehouse building. The new building is to expand logistic operations on the campus, according to city documents. The campus is currently zoned for industrial uses, and a warehouse is allowed within the zoning, however, modied development standards are required because the proposed building will have a height of 45 feet, Senior Planner Derica Peters said. The current zoning only allows one-story buildings to be 25 feet.

In total, Rodgers said the department consists of 49 employees that tend to 42 parks, 510 acres of median and right of way for city utilities, 93 miles of trails and more. The overview Priority projects for FY 25-26 including applying roll coat, a binder that reduced wear and tear on concrete surfaces, at the Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground at Cottonwood Park and replacing the outdated restroom at Yale Park with a prefabricated restroom building, according to a sta presentation. Rodgers said the pre-fabricated buildings, which are ordered and delivered as a unit, have a more modern look and are easy to install. Other projects include upgrading the median on Yale Boulevard between Centennial Boulevard and Collins Boulevard and upgrading medians on Waterview between Spring Valley Road and Belt Line Road. Improvements include removing concrete and replacing it with river rock bands that will give the medians a modern appearance, Rodgers said. “This is something we’ve been doing a lot of lately,” Rodgers said. “It improves the look of our city so much.” The projects would be funded through the city’s parks maintenance fund. Some projects, such as adding a bridge to the trail

Several parks and recreation projects, including replacing segments of concrete at Campbell Ridge Park Trail, were presented to Richardson City Council.

DUSTIN BUTLERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

at Breckinridge Park, do not fall under the scope of the maintenance fund and will require a bond proposition, City Manager Don Magner said. Diving in deeper Along with projects paid for by the parks mainte- nance fund, Rodgers also outlined several priority items for consideration in the Parks and Mainte- nance general fund, including the following: • Tennis court resurfacing • Installing pre-fabricated restroom facilities • Replacing the sauna at Heights Recreation Center Trail, waynding and interpretive signage • Cloud-based ball eld light conversions • Americans with Disabilities Act chair lifts at pools • Replacing the Huines Recreation Center stage curtains

E . R E N N E R R D .

C K I N R I D G E R D .

PGBT TOLL

A M P B ELLRD.

• iPads for maintenance sta • Professional development • Installing more seating in parks

North Texas Municipal Water District to invest $1B in infrastructure projects The North Texas Municipal Water District is investing over $1 billion to improve water infra- structure projects in 2026, according to a presenta- tion given to Richardson City Council. NTMWD General Manger Jenna Covington, in two new pipelines transporting additional water from Lake Texoma to the Leonard and Wylie water treatment plants. Once complete, it will add about 90 million gallons per day of pipeline capacity from the lake by 2030, George said.

Also of note In an eort to better conserve water, George said the district is partnering with Tarrant Regional Water District to hire outside consultants focusing on conservation, sustainable land use, zoning and development strategy recommendations. “The biggest expensive [in the water fund] by far is the expense we pay for raw water and waste water treatment,” City Manager Don Magner said.

The project also makes use of existing supply by blending more salty water from Lake Texoma with water from Lavon Lake and Bois d’Arc Lake. It will also help the district meet peak summer demands, George said.

Assistant General Manager Billy George and Chief Financial Ocer Jeane Chippereld presented the information during the June 23 council meeting. The details The projects include a $525 million investment

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM