Richardson | February 2026

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Richardson Edition VOLUME 8, ISSUE 6 FEB. 7MAR. 6, 2026

RISD to grow CTE oerings with new $86M facility

INSIDE

Also in this issue

From left, Richardson ISD students Ja’Vone Daniels, Khloe Chaney and Leilani Freeman work at the Credit Union of Texas Smart branch inside Berkner High School. (Michael Crouchley/Community Impact)

Impacts: Check out a new burger joint, other Richardson business updates (Page 6)

Transportation: Main Street construction project set to nish next month (Page 12)

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Notice Regarding Physician Ownership: Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano is a hospital in which physicians have an ownership or investment interest. The list of the physician owners or investors is available to you upon request. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2026 Baylor Scott & White Health. 09867_KC_1/26.

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Total Loans (in Millions)

Total Assets (in Millions)

$450

$550 $500 $450 $400 $350 $300 $250 $200 $150 $50 $0 $100

$400

$350 $300 $250 $200 $150 $50 $0 $100 $8.5 $7.5 $8.0 $7.0 $6.0 $5.0 $4.0 $3.0 $1.0 $2.0 $1.5 $2.5 $0.5 $6.5 $5.5 $4.5 $3.5

Net Income after Tax (in Millions)

Total Deposits (in Millions)

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

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About Community Impact

Community Roots: Founded in 2005 by John and Jennifer Garrett, we remain a locally owned business today. Texas-Wide Reach: We deliver trusted news to 75+ communities across the Austin, Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio metros.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jacquelyn Burrer Karen Chaney

Adam Doe Colby Farr Hannah Johnson Heather McCullough Patricia Ortiz Mary Katherine Shapiro Cody Thorn Isabella Ze Graphic Designers Nicolas Delgadillo José Jiménez Chelsea Peters Armando Servin Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara Senior Managing Editor Miranda Jaimes Senior Product Manager Breanna Flores

Tracy Ruckel General Manager truckel@ communityimpact.com

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Why a CATHOLIC CLASSICAL EdUCATION? Why a CATHOLIC CLASSICAL EdUCATION?

John Alper DFW Market President jalper@ communityimpact.com

3803 Parkwood Blvd., Ste. 500, Frisco, TX, 75034 • 2146189001 Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases ricnews@communityimpact.com Advertising ricads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising Connect on social @communityimpactdfw @communityimpactdfw

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WHY A CATHOLIC CLASSICAL EDUCATION? Encouraging children to seek truth, goodness and beauty in all things will ultimately lead them to walk with Christ. At SPCCS, our fundamental tenets are faith, wisdom and virtue; the development of these tenets in our students helps build a foundation in Christ while providing them an enriching education. foundation in Christ while providing them an enriching education. As you walk through the halls and visit our classrooms, you will see beautiful works of art on the walls, the great books on our shelves, and thriving gardens outside our windows. The Catholic Classical student is curious, asks questions, and approaches the foundation in Christ while providing them an enriching education. As you walk through the halls and visit our classrooms, you will see beautiful works of art on the walls, the great books on our shelves, and thriving gardens outside our windows. The Catholic Classical student is curious, asks questions, and approaches the Encouraging children to seek truth, goodness and beauty in all things will ultimately lead them to walk with Christ. At SPCCS, our fundamental tenets are faith, wisdom and virtue; the development of these tenets in our students helps build a our fundamental tenets are faith, wisdom and virtue; the development of these tenets in our students helps build a exciting journey of learning with a sense of wonder. In addition to the pursuit of goodness, truth and beauty, a classical curriculum includes the liberal arts, grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy, and Latin. a classical curriculum includes the liberal arts, grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, astronomy, and Latin. exciting journey of learning with a sense of wonder. In addition to the pursuit of goodness, truth and beauty,

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Impacts

• Opened December • 150 W. Main St., Ste. 800, Richardson • www.meltndip.com

PLANO PKWY.

PGBT TOLL

5 Peak Physical Therapy The clinic focuses on orthopedics and sports medicine, offering comprehensive biomechanical assessments, specialized spine treatment, custom splinting and sports enhancement and endurance training, according to its website. • Opened December • 3261 E. President George Bush Highway, Ste. 115, Richardson • https://peak.urpt.com

RENNER RD.

STATE ST.

BRECKINRIDGE BLVD.

CUSTER PKWY.

N. GLENVILLE DR.

TELECOM PKWY.

CAMPBELL RD.

Coming soon

ARAPAHO RD.

Richardson

78 6 Royal Roastery The store will roast around 80 different kinds of nuts in-house, as well as serving up sweets like cheesecake, baklava, Turkish delight, crepes, ice cream and coffee. • Opening February • 1055 S. Sherman St., Richardson • www.royalroastery.com 7 Hui Lau Shan The Hong Kong dessert shop offers handmade mango desserts, prepared fresh every day, as well as fruit-based drinks and other sweets like mochi and coconut jelly. • Opening spring 2026 • 1601 E. Belt Line Road, Ste. 100, Richardson • www.huilaushan.us 8 Manny’s Mexican Kitchen Manny’s will offer a number of Tex-Mex dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, nachos and more. It also has a number of vegetarian and vegan options. • Opening early 2026 • 1250 State St., Ste. 100, Richardson • www.mannystexmex.com 9 Paris Baguette The eatery’s menu includes cakes, tarts, donuts and other sweet options.

E. MAIN ST.

BELT LINE RD.

SPRING VALLEY RD.

BUCKINGHAM RD.

S. SHERMAN ST.

MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Opened Dec. 19 • 1057 S. Sherman St., Ste. 120, Richardson • www.hamburgottis.com

Now open

1 Card Quest The store offers a variety of Pokemon cards, products and accessories, hosts Pokemon Trading Card Game tournaments and also buys, sells and trades for most Pokemon products. • Opened November • 1144 N. Plano Road, Ste. 260, Richardson • cardquestlgs.com 2 Hamburgotti’s The halal burger restaurant serves up customizable smashburgers, loaded hot dogs and fries.

3 Crimson Dragon Cafe The restaurant is an international Asian cafe, co-owner Stephanie Nguyen said, offering a wide variety of dishes

from Asian cuisines. • Opened December • 1450 State St., Ste. 400, Richardson • www.instagram.com/crimsondragon.dfw

4 Melt n Dip The late-night spot offers a variety of desserts, including gelato, cheesecake and chocolate-covered waffles and crepes, as well as fruit and coffee.

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• Opening Feb. 14 • 7615 Campbell Road, Ste. 106, Dallas • www.parisbaguette.com

• Closed Dec. 31 • 1310 W. Campbell Road, Ste. 128, Richardson • www.earthwisepet.com 12 Pho Real by Co Ut The restaurant served a variety of pho dishes as well as rice plates, spring rolls and chicken wings. • Closed Jan. 15 • 1801 N. Plano Road, Ste. 100, Richardson • www.facebook.com/phorealbycout 13 Salad and Go The chain closed all of its locations in Texas and Oklahoma on Jan. 11, the company confirmed on social media. • Closed Jan. 11 • 850 E. Campbell Road, Richardson • www.saladandgo.com 14 Texas State Optical The business offered eye exams, a selection of eyewear and other additional eye care options. • Closed early January • 3501 Custer Parkway, Ste. 105, Richardson • www.tso.com

In the news

10 Sugar Sweets & Gelato The shop is currently closed while under construction, with plans to reopen in February. The Middle Eastern dessert shop is undergoing an expansion, including adding a larger kitchen. Sugar serves an assortment of house-made desserts, including gelato and baklava. • 1403 E. Campbell Road, Ste. 110, Richardson • www.sugarsweetsgelato.com

15 Geico The company celebrated the opening of its second North Texas building with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Richardson’s Galatyn Commons on Jan. 15. At the ceremony, the company also announced a new lease agreement for a third building in Richardson and the addition of 1,000 new jobs. • 2375 N. Glenville Drive, Richardson • www.geico.com

Closings

11 EarthWise Pet Supply A social media announcement stated that the closure was “due to industry changes beyond our control.” EarthWise Pet Supply served as a pet nutrition store and wellness spa, offering pet grooming and washes as well as natural pet foods, treats, toys, litter and other supplies. The locations in Flower Mound and Southlake remain open.

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Government

BY JACQUELYN BURRER & ISABELLA ZEFF

DART continues to brace for potential service cuts

50 city charter amendments set for May ballot Richardson residents will likely vote on 50 amendments to the Richardson city charter in the May election. The background City Council recommended 48 ballot propositions originally set for the November 2025 ballot. The election was postponed from November to May 2026 to coincide with the proposed bond election. City Secretary Aimee Nemer presented an overview of the 48 approved propositions for the charter election, as well as two new propositions for council to review. What’s new One new proposal was to add clarifying language specifying that a resigning member of City Council may not vote on the appoint- ment of their replacement member. The second was the addition of a resign- to-run provision, requiring the automatic resignation of any council member or mayor who announces their candidacy for any other elective public office. Council member Dan Barrios announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress on Dec. 9, so a retroactive amendment would force his resignation if approved. Mayor Amir Omar said the amendment had “nothing to do” with any particular person, but that council was now in a position of hav- ing to decide what to do in these situations.

At their Jan. 13 meeting, DART’s board of directors called a public hearing to receive input on “potential service modifications” that could become necessary depending on the upcoming May withdrawal elections. Some context Residents in six DART member cities will vote on whether they should stay with DART on May 2 unless an agreement between the city and agency is met prior to March 18. The impact W. PARKER RD. According to meeting documents, withdrawal of the five cities holding special elections would impact several bus routes, around 800 bus stops, 13 GoLink zones, two Trinity Rail Express stations, two Silver Line stations and 10 DART light rail stations. Rob Smith, DART vice president of service plan- ning and scheduling, said if any of the cities with special elections vote in favor of withdrawing from DART, all DART services, including paratransit, in those cities would immediately cease the day after votes are canvassed. Zooming out While Richardson is not considering a with- drawal election, DART services in the city could still be affected, meeting documents state. In particular, Route 241 and 247 would be shortened or could see changes. The 883 University of Texas at Dallas Comet Cruiser could also see changes because it currently has stops in Plano, Smith said. Smith said there will be several long-term financial and service implications dependent on if any cities withdraw from the agency, which DART PLANO PKWY. W. PARK BLVD. W. 15TH ST.

DART rail lines Red Line 1 Parker Road Station 2 Downtown Plano Station 3 12th Street Station Silver Line

4 12th Street Station 5 Shiloh Road Station

Plano

E. PARK BLVD.

MUNICIPAL AVE.

14TH ST.

PGBT TOLL

SOURCE: DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

officials are currently working to identify and prepare for. The full list of potential impacts on DART services is located on the agency’s website.

Richardson commission OKs 5 new units at Richland Park Apartments Richland Park Apartments is on track to add five units and a playground after Richardson’s City Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval for rezoning Jan. 6. The details

apartment units in underused areas in the leasing and community building. The new units would replace the indoor sports room, a maintenance storage room and portions of the clubhouse on the second, third and fourth floors. What else The proposal included some additional site modifications to accommodate the new units, but no building expansions were proposed.

BU CK I N G H A M R D .

Richland Park Apartments

The apartment complex, located at 951 Abrams Road, comprises four buildings containing a total of 82 apartment units, as well as a leasing and commu- nity building that houses the complex’s amenities. The complex proposed to add an additional five

PARK BEND DR.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & HANNAH NORTON

Voter Guide

2026

Dates to know

Where to vote

Feb. 17: First day of early voting Feb. 20: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Feb. 27: Last day of early voting March 3: Election day and the last day for counties to receive completed mail-in ballots (or 5 p.m. March 4 if the carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. on election day)

Voters are eligible to cast ballots in either the Republican or Democratic primary election, but not both. Dallas County and Collin County residents can vote at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.dallascountyvotes.org/voters/election or www.collincountytx.gov/elections for polling locations.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY: R Republican D Democrat *Incumbent

Texas Senate, District 70 R George Flint R Jack Ryan Gallagher R Michael Hewitt Texas House Representative, District 112 R Angie Chen Button* R Perry Baker R Chad Carnahan R Tina Price Texas Senate, District 2 R Bob Hall* R Jason Eddington

R Charles Andrew Crouch R Evelyn Brooks R Pete “Doc” Chambers R Arturo Espinosa R Mark V. Goloby R Kenneth Hyde R Stephen Samuelson R Ronnie Tullos

Sample ballot

Federal elections U.S. Representative, District 5 R Lance Gooden R Travis Edwards U.S. Representative, District 32 R Aimee Carrasco R Darrell Day

R Nathaniel Welch D Patricia Abrego D Chris Bell

R James Ussery R Paul Bondar R Abteen Vaziri R Zain Shaito R Jace Yarbrough R Ryan Binkley R Monty Montanez R Gordon Heslop D Dan Barrios D Anthony Bridges

D Bobby Cole D Carlton Hart D Gina Hinojosa D Jose Navarro Balbuena

County elections Collin County Judge

D Faizan Syed D Zach Vance D Angela “Tia Angie” Villescaz Lieutenant governor R Timothy Mabry R Perla Muñoz Hopkins R Dan Patrick* R Esala Wueschner

R Rick Grady R Chris Hill*

Polling locations Aldridge Elementary School • 720 Pleasant Valley Lane, Richardson Miller Elementary School • 5651 Coventry Drive, Richardson University of Texas at Dallas LILAC Lab • 811 Synergy Park Blvd., Richardson Stinson Elementary School • 4201 Greenfield Drive, Richardson Woodcreek Church • 3400 E. Renner Road, Richardson Ministerios Charisma • 740 Melrose Drive, Richardson Islamic Association of North Texas • 840 Abrams Road, Richardson

State elections U.S. Senate R John O. Adefope R Anna Bender R Virgil John Bierschwale

D Vikki Goodwin D Courtney Head

D Marcos Velez Attorney general R Joan Huffman R Mayes Middleton R Aaron Reitz R Chip Roy D Anthony “Tony” Box D Joe Jaworski D Nathan Johnson

R Sara Canady R John Cornyn* R Wesley Hunt R Gulrez “Gus” Khan R Ken Paxton D Jasmine Crockett D Ahmad R. Hassan D James Talarico Governor R Greg Abbott* R R.F. “Bob” Achgill

SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, COLLIN COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

RICHARDSON EDITION

Education

BY ISABELLA ZEFF

RISD short of fall attendance goal, introduces new strategies

Richardson ISD fell short of its attendance goal in fall 2025 and plans to implement new strategies to increase attendance this spring, according to a presentation at the Jan. 15 school board meeting. “We are not where we want to be with atten- dance,” Superintendent Tabitha Branum said. “We’ve made great gains, ... but we still have work to do.” Breaking it down Matthew Gibbins, assistant superintendent of administrative services, reviewed the fall semes- ter’s average daily attendance results in compari- son to RISD’s District Improvement Plan, which set the district-wide attendance goal at 96%. Average daily attendance is the percentage of students physically present each day, and it serves as the core measure of student presence. RISD’s average daily attendance for the 2025 fall semester was 94.69%, putting the district a little over 1 percentage point behind its goal, although Gibbins

said RISD is in line with the statewide average. Branum said the biggest opportunities for improvement are with the youngest and oldest students—pre-K and kindergarten students and high school juniors and seniors have the lowest attendance rates across the district. Going forward Gibbins introduced several new strategies aiming to increase attendance this spring: • Create attendance incentive programs using a portion of recaptured attendance funds • Identify specic reasons for chronic absentee- ism and implement personalized outreach to remove barriers • Utilize tiered system of supports to formalize individual attendance interventions • Oer parent information sessions at campuses with lowest attendance to provide information about the impact of attendance and strategies

“When our families value the presence in the classroom, you’re valuing their education.” MEGAN TIMME, RICHARDSON ISD BOARD MEMBER

for improvement Gibbins said RISD is already working to improve attendance by spreading awareness about the impact attendance has on both student success and district funding, as well as the importance of absence notes, which are required to excuse absences. Many schools have already introduced atten- dance incentive programs centered around compe- titions or rewards.

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BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & ISABELLA ZEFF

Richardson ISD indoor pools set for $11.15 million renovations The indoor swimming centers at Berkner High School and STEM Academy and J.J. Pearce High School are set to be renovated after Richardson ISD’s school board unani- mously approved $9.4 million for the second phase of the project Jan. 15. What’s happening The two natatoriums contain indoor pools for Richardson’s swim and dive teams. Upcoming work will include replacing pool mechanical systems, diving equipment and non-slip floors. Superintendent Tabitha Branum said the district plans to have the pools open for next school year.

RISD expects budget shortfall in fiscal year 2026-27

UTD introduces new computer, geospatial sciences degree The University of Texas at Dallas is now offering a Bachelor of Science in computa- tional and geospatial science, combining two in-demand fields, according to a news release from the university. The overview The degree program began last fall as a collaboration between the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Students take a set of computer science courses as well as courses in geospatial science from EPPS that cover subjects like drone and remote sensing, internet mapping and spatial data science. Richardson ISD will still see a shortfall in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, according to a presenta- tion at the Jan. 15 school board meeting. Allison Davenport, RISD’s executive director of finance, provided an update on the 2025-26 fiscal year to set a foundation for the FY 2026-27 budget process. The specifics Davenport said the district is currently expect- ing close to $8 million more in revenue than the FY 2025-26 budget planned for, due to an increase in state funding. However, she said the district is also seeing reductions in other revenue sources this year. RISD expected a $28.5 million shortfall in the FY 2025-26 adopted budget, but due to the revenue increase, Davenport said the district now expects to see a $27.5 million shortfall. Enrollment continues to decline in RISD, accord- ing to district data. Texas bases school funding on attendance, so a decrease in students could result in budget reductions. However, RISD has seen an increase this year in some student populations that generate additional funding—economically disadvantaged students,

Recent RISD budgets Revenue Expenditures

$409.3M

2025-26

$456.2M

$414.3M $430.4M $415.7M

2024-25

2023-24

$403.2M

SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

special education students and students with dyslexia. What it means Superintendent Tabitha Branum said RISD will still have a deficit budget in FY 2026-27, and any future raise or cost increases will also increase the shortfall. “We’re trying to be very aggressive and captur- ing savings whenever we can to bring down this year’s deficit,” Branum said. “We know that if we are going to increase compensation, that we’re going to have to find some additional efficiencies.”

J. J. Pearce HS

ARAPAHO RD.

W. BELT LINE RD.

Berkner HS

W. SPRING VALLEY RD.

Plano ISD enrollment PISD has seen enrollment decline every school year since 2010-11.

20K 40K 60K 0

Projected

SOURCE: PLANO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Plano ISD projects $43.75 million budget shortfall

property tax revenue due to property value increases, but the net revenue projection for FY 2026-27 is still down by $7.23 million from the year prior. That is due to projected enrollment decline, along with the sale of property from closed cam- puses that occurred in FY 2025-26, Reeves said. District enrollment has decreased every year since peaking at 55,659 in the 2011-12 school year. PISD enrollment as of October was 43,838 and is expected to drop to 41,830 next year, according to initial projections.

Plano ISD is anticipating a $43.75 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026-27. District Chief Financial Officer Courtney Reeves presented a “first look” at the upcoming budget during a Jan. 20 board of trustees meeting. The big picture Initial projections expect PISD to have $527.3 million in revenue against $571.05 in expenditures in FY 2026-27. District staff is anticipating increased local

RICHARDSON EDITION

Transportation

BY ISABELLA ZEFF

Main Street reconstruction completion expected by March

Ongoing projects

KAUFMAN ST.

Richardson’s Main Street reconstruction project continues this week after a three-month pause caused by delays in utility relocation, the city announced. The construction, which extends from Green- ville Avenue to just past Abrams Road, is expected to be completed in March, depending on weather conditions. What’s happening Oncor told the city it would begin moving overhead power lines underground starting early January, with its work expected to be complete in early February. After the power lines are relocated, the city can begin the next stage of construction, which will include adding sidewalks, street lights and trees along the south side of the street. New paving has largely been completed already, except for the outer southside lane, where Oncor is still working. At least one lane in each direction will remain

open during construction, although trac conges- tion may increase. The big picture The $6.5 million reconstruction project began in February 2025. Completed work includes a new dedicated turn lane onto Abrams Road, barri- er-free ramps installed at intersections, new trees and landscaping, the replacement of water, sewer and storm drainage pipes and inlets and upgraded street lighting. The project is the second phase of a larger recon- struction along Main Street. “Enhanced intersections, sidewalks, and crossings will make it easier to access nearby businesses, neighborhoods and transit DART station, supporting a more walkable, accessible and connected district as the area continues to grow into a hub for international avors and other distinctive experiences,” Richardson City Manager Don Magner said.

LINGCO DR. 3B

JONSSON BLVD.

V E R N E

T I M B E R L A K E C

1 Jonsson Boulevard, Tatum Street reconstruction Project: Work includes pavement reconstruction along A Jonsson Boulevard and B Tatum Street, sidewalk repairs, water and sanitary improvements and inclusion of a bike lane. Update: Street reconstruction on the west side of Jonsson is completed. Reconstruction of the east side of Jonsson and the south side of Tatum is ongoing. Waterline installation is also ongoing. • Timeline: summer 2025-winter 2026 • Cost: $3.5 million • Funding source: city of Richardson

2 Nantucket Drive reconstruction Project: Crews will complete reconstruction of Nantucket Drive from Melrose Drive to south of Vernet Street. Update: All underground utility work has been completed, as well as reconstruction between Melrose and Provincetown Lane. Reconstruction of the northbound lane of Nantucket Drive is ongoing, followed by inlet, driveway and sidewalk concrete placement. • Timeline: spring 2025-winter 2026 • Cost: $2.2 million • Funding source: city of Richardson

3 Sherman Street reconstruction Project: Work includes road reconstruction of Sherman Street from A Kaufman Street to Lingco Drive and reconstruction of Lingco from B Sherman to Spring Valley Road. Update: Utility work is ongoing and expected to be completed by mid-January, and then paving operations will begin. • Timeline: spring 2025-summer 2026 • Cost: $6.6 million • Funding source: city of Richardson

The Main Street reconstruction project is part of a larger reconstruction plan along Main Street aimed at improving downtown infrastructure.

N. GREENVILLE AVE.

DALLAS 9500 N Central Expy (214) 369-2800 ADDISON 15055 Inwood Rd (972) 239-5891

Health care

BY ISABELLA ZEFF

Methodist Richardson Medical Center ocially opened its new ambulatory surgical center in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 6, expanding the medical center’s capacity for both major and Methodist opens new ambulatory surgical center

The center will include: 7 pre-operation beds 7 recovery beds 30 surgeries per day (projected average)

minor surgeries. The big picture

Ambulatory surgeries are minor procedures, such as setting a wrist fracture or performing a colonoscopy, and patients are able to go home the day of their surgery with no need for an overnight stay. The center will exclusively perform these operations. Methodist Richardson has been working to add an ambulatory surgical center to its campus for the last three years, said Ken Hutchenrider, Methodist Richardson Medical Center president. “It’s really to further round out our overall services, because there are patients that need ambulatory surgery, and it makes perfect sense to have it here in an ambulatory center versus coming into the main hospital,” Hutchenrider said. The center is part of a $22 million expansion that aims to boost Methodist Richardson’s surgical capacity and create the foundation for a higher trauma designation. Why it matters Having this designated center for minor proce- dures will free up space in Methodist Richardson’s main operating rooms for more patients who need

Methodist Richardson held a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the hospital’s new ambulatory surgery center Jan. 6.

SOURCE: METHODIST RICHARDSON MEDICAL CENTERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

ISABELLA ZEFFCOMMUNITY IMPACT

extensive care, Hutchenrider said. Hutchenrider estimated that the ambulatory surgery center will see about 30 patients a day, a third of the normal volume of the main operating rooms. “That will allow us to backll [our main operat- ing rooms] with a more dicult, more critical type of patient,” Hutchenrider said. Hutchenrider said Methodist Richardson is also working on adding at least two new operating rooms to the main hospital and considering adding a new tower in the next few years. Medical Director of Cardiology Nhan Nguyen said that the ambulatory surgery center will expand the hospital’s quality of care.

E. RENNER RD.

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“We have the opportunity here to be on the ground oor to create something very, very special, and I think this is just the beginning of the whole thing,” Nguyen said.

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Events

BY ISABELLA ZEFF

• 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • www.eisemanncenter.com/event/?i=11606

February

The Baylor Project Head to the University of Texas at Dallas to see The Baylor Project, a Grammy-nominated husband-and-wife team that blends jazz, gospel, soul and R&B influences to honor the African American musical tradition. • Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. • $15, free for UT Dallas students and employees • 800 W. Campbell Road, Ste. 3021, Richardson • calendar.utdallas.edu/event/the-baylor-project ‘A Murder is Announced’ The Richardson Theatre Centre will perform a mystery play, based on an Agatha Christie book, that unravels the death of an unknown visitor, whose murder was foretold in a local newspaper announcement. • Feb. 6-Mar. 1, times vary • $22-$24 • 518 W. Arapaho Road, Ste. 113, Richardson • www.richardsontheatrecentre.net/season26.html Sinatra and Bublé This show features Dave Halston and Michael Nugent performing Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé songs. • Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. • $60-$97

The Simon & Garfunkel Story The immersive concert-style show follows the lives and careers of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, featuring a live band performing their hit songs. • Feb. 14, 8 p.m. • $49-$81 • 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • www.eisemanncenter.com/event/?i=11175 Dallas Black Dance Theatre The dance company will demonstrate some of their techniques at this library-sponsored event. • Feb. 21, 3-4 p.m. • Free • 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Richardson • bit.ly/dallasblackdance ‘Fright Lotus’ Murder Mystery At Richardson Adult Literacy Center’s annual event, audience members will watch a murder mystery performance, then work together to identify the culprit. • Feb. 28, 7-10 p.m. • $85 • 820 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson • bit.ly/frightlotus

Lunar New Year The festival, celebrating the Year of the Horse, will feature dragon and lion dances, musical and martial arts demos, art making, calligraphy, specialty booths and cultural performances. • Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (admission)

• 400 N. Greenville Ave., Richardson • www.richardsoncoredistrict.com/ lunar-new-year-2026

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RICHARDSON EDITION

RISD to grow CTE oerings with new $86M facility From the cover

Some background

The gist

The CTE center is the latest in a string of advance- ments RISD has made to its CTE programming. The district opened a Credit Union of Texas branch inside Berkner High School in 2023, and its Healthcare Academy, a partnership with Meth- odist Richardson Medical Center, saw enrollment grow by 14% from 2024-25 to the current school year, district CTE Executive Director Creighton Bryan said. The district also partners with Dallas College for its Pathways in Technology program at all four high schools, allowing students to earn associate degrees and certications while in high school. “Our students can walk across the stage at Dallas College two weeks before they walk across the stage to get their high school diploma,” Bryan said. Richardson residents in Plano ISD’s attendance boundaries can also access expanding CTE programming. PISD’s CTE center is under con- struction and expected to open in 2026. While CTE programming has expanded, RISD and PISD have seen declining enrollment every

RISD CTE enrollment by school year

As Richardson ISD continues to grow its Career and Technical Education, or CTE, offerings, the programming will soon have its own space. Voters approved the district’s bond package in November, including $86 million for a new CTE center, which will be located near the corner of Greenville Avenue and Walnut Street in south Richardson. Superintendent Tabitha Branum said that design for the project will start later this year with an eye on designing “the next generation of CTE center.” Branum said that the center will likely feature automotive, plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing and other programs that are challenging or expensive to replicate across campuses. “Being able to have them at one center is going to allow all four of our high schools to take advantage,” she said. Branum added that staff will consider high-demand programs, including water management and Artificial Intelligence- related paths, to be housed at the center. As the project enters the design phase, Branum said there will be a focus on a “modular design approach” so the space can transform with new programs as workforce needs change.

CTE enrolled

Total students (grades 9-12)

7,603 7,574

10,505 10,556 10,457

2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

56% of 2025 class graduated with industry certification 2,582 industry-based certifications earned, 2024-25 7,308 +7,300 RISD high schoolers have participated in CTE programs in each of the last three school years.

SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

year since 2019 and 2012, respectively. Recent dis- trict initiatives in response to declining enrollment include campus closures in both districts, along with opening enrollment outside of attendance boundaries.

What they’re saying

“We want to make sure that we’re designing something that is looking a decade ahead and not a decade in the rear.” TABITHA BRANUM, RISD SUPERINTENDENT

“Businesses will often locate in communities or regions that can produce the talent.” DON MAGNER, RICHARDSON CITY MANAGER

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Some context

Why it matters

Berkner High School student Khloe Chaney works in the on-campus Credit Union of Texas Smart Branch. She said the program has improved her interpersonal and financial literacy skills while helping expose her to a potential career path. “I’m really excited about the doors this program has opened for me,” she said. “You can really see the change that the students go through when you’re working here.” CUTX CEO Eric Pointer said the program helps “bring our mission to life.” He said that the program also adds to the company’s future talent pipeline, saying that CUTX has hired several former Smart Branch students to permanent roles throughout the organization. Richardson City Manager Don Magner said that partnerships with Richardson

May 2022 PISD bond passes, including CTE center funding

DFW workforce projections

Employment (2022)

Projected employment (2032)

25K 20K 15K 10K 5K 0

November 2024 PISD CTE center starts construction November 2025 RISD bond passes, including CTE center funding 2026 • RISD CTE center design phase starts • PISD CTE center opens

Business

Industry Health care

Education

SOURCE: TEXAS LABOR ANALYSIS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

2028 RISD CTE center starts construction

and Plano ISDs help bolster the city’s efforts to recruit and retain businesses in the city. “We are in a really good position, where I see RISD and PISD CTE programs really helping us,” Magner said.

2031 RISD CTE center opens

SOURCE: PLANO ISD, RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Business

BY KAREN CHANEY

Artwork, including statues featuring a variety of stones, are for sale at Texas Counter Fitters.

Texas Counter Fitters specializes in unique stone from around the world.

Texas Counter Fitters is situated on 4.5 acres in Richardson.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Texas Counter Fitters oers stone slabs, artwork

First-time visitors to Texas Counter Fitters showroom in Richardson are often surprised to nd a museum-like space, where natural stone slabs are showcased alongside diverse styles of artwork. “People are surprised by the beauty,” Community Engagement Ocer Diana Einstein said. “I’ve invited people here and they wear sneakers and sweatpants because they expect it to be dusty and cold. They walk in and say, ‘I should have dressed up, this is like an art gallery.’” Chris Blackburn and Andrew Gilbert opened Texas Counter Fitters in 2010 followed by the Richardson showroom in 2020. The set up Sandwiched between two indoor showrooms is an outside showroom. Each area features a variety of stone slabs sourced from around the world including Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Cambodia and more. Blackburn said Texas Counter Fitters focuses on exotic stones. “We specialize in unique [stones] whereas some distributors in town ood their inventory with what’s popular,” Blackburn said. “We buy stu that’s one-o and unique. We might sit on it—we just wait for that person to come in and go, ‘That’s the one!’” Interspersed throughout the showrooms are unique pieces of art many of which have stone components. Blackburn said the artwork helps customers and designers conceptualize what the

stone will look like in a home. Digging deeper Blackburn has visited a variety of stone quarries and explains a bit of the mining process. “The white marbles come from ... Calcutta, Italy. There are specic regions that are white marble,” Blackburn said. “Quartzites come from inside the earth. Sometimes you get good blocks, sometimes you get bad blocks. You don’t know until you’re cutting into it.” What else? Throughout the year, Texas Counter Fitters hosts events, including nonprot fundraising events, educational seminars and more. Blackburn measures success by the impact of their community involvement such as supporting initiatives like funding an art therapy center and installing natural quartzite countertops to enhance the kitchen at Dallas ISD’s After8toEducate, a shelter for DISD students. The background Armed with years of industry experience, Blackburn and Gilbert started out in a small space in east Dallas that had a tendency to attract unwel- come four-legged guests. In the ensuing years, the business has grown from a two-person operation to over 100 employees with their Richardson show- room encompassing 4.5 acres.

Stone home décor items are available at Texas Counter Fitters.

Texas Counter Fitters sources stone slabs from around the world.

E. ARAPAHO RD.

909 N. Bowser Road, Richardson www.texascountertters.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

BY ISABELLA ZEFF

City initiatives to focus on increasing affordable housing supply

Another approach

Renters have also felt the impact of rising housing costs and Richardson has an “acute undersupply” of affordable rental housing units, the assessment found. Milligan recommended that the city advocate for the state to designate some of Richardson’s five eli- gible census tracts as opportunity zones, which are identified by meeting median family income and poverty rate criteria. The program facilitates tax incentives to spur economic development, includ- ing the development of affordable apartments. “The whole purpose of this program is to increase the flow of capital into communities that were seen as too risky due to lower incomes,” Milligan said. Magner said the city plans to submit its opportu- nity zone application within the next month.

Milligan recommended strategies to develop more reasonably priced “missing middle” housing, units like townhomes that bridge the gap between large apartment complexes and single-family homes. Most of Richardson’s zoning does not currently support these housing types. Milligan said city staff is preparing to review the comprehensive zoning ordinance to allow more development. “By completely revamping the comprehensive zoning ordinance and making it a more modern, contemporary document … we’ll make it easier for developers and businesses to do business in the city,” City Manager Don Magner said.

Grow America field director Maureen Milligan presented housing initiatives to City Council on Jan. 12, after the city commissioned a housing needs assessment last year. Milligan identified three priority housing needs: more reasonably priced units for families, more affordable rental units and a strategy for older, low-income homeowners to age in place. Richardson’s population is growing but the supply of lower-priced homes in Richardson is shrinking, the assessment found, and an increasing number of residents are housing cost-burdened, which means they spend over 30% of their gross income on housing costs.

Richardson's monthly average asking rents

Home sales prices in Richardson

The majority of homes sold in Richardson in 2024 were over $300,000. In 2011, most homes sold were less than $250,000.

Studio

One-bed

Two-bed Three-bed

2011

2024

$2K

35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

$1.5K

$1K

$500

$0- $69K

$70K- $99K

$100K- $149K

$150K- $199K

$200K- $249K

$250K- $299K

$300K- $399K

$400K- $499K

$500K- $749K

$750K- $999K

$1M+

Home sales price

SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: COSTAR/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Looking ahead

Richardson can do it,” Magner said. After City Council’s approval for staff to move forward with the recommendations, Magner said the city will focus on securing opportunity zone designations and reviewing the city’s comprehensive zoning ordinance. City Council will receive further briefings on each of the recommended initiatives throughout 2026, Milligan said, in order to create more specific plans.

be unable to maintain their aging homes due to health issues or financial restraints. She said Richardson could access federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant. Richardson would receive a little under $700,000 a year from the grant if the city pursued this initiative. “We’re the only entitled city in the state of Texas that doesn’t accept a dollar, so my thinking is, if Frisco can do it ... then

Nearly 5,000 homes in Richardson were built prior to 1980 and are currently owned by a resident 65 years or older, the assessment found. Many of these homeowners may be unable to maintain their home due to age- related health issues or financial restraints, according to the report. Milligan also suggested that the city develop a home repair program to provide assistance to low-income senior homeowners, who may

RICHARDSON EDITION

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