Richardson | February 2025

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Richardson Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 FEB. 28MARCH 27, 2025

Desks into doorsteps

INSIDE

Richardson aims to replace unused oce buildings with new apartment complexes, such as The Glenville. (Courtesy Sky Eyes)

RENNER RD.

Also in this issue Development: 443-unit apartment complex set for Arapaho Road (Page 13)

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Total Loans (in Millions)

Total Assets (in Millions)

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

$450

$400

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

Total Deposits (in Millions)

Net Income after Tax (in Millions)

$400

$350

$300

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

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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. 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 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. 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 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.

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Impacts

78 6 Jalapeno Loco The restaurant offers a number of dishes such as street tacos, tortas and more. • Opened Jan. 21 • 581 W. Campbell Road, Ste. 113, Richardson • 972-238-5100 4 Echo Suites According to the company’s website, the hotel suites feature kitchens with cooktops and full-size refrigerators, free standard Wi-Fi and smart televisions. Dog-friendly suites are available for an extra fee. The property also has a gym and laundry facilities. • Opened Jan. 23 • 3333 E. President George Bush Highway, Plano • https://bit.ly/3ZGMOWm 5 The Feathered Nest The boutique, now located in Cottonwood Market, sells women’s clothing and accessories. Cottonwood Market features an eclectic mix of dealers featuring vintage goods, antiques, artisan items, home decor, boutique gifts and more, the company website states. • Opened in January • 101 S. Coit Road, Ste. 50, Richardson • www.facebook.com/thefeatherednestplano 7 Malabar Kitchen The restaurant will serve Indian cuisine such as vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries and biriyanis. It will also have Indo-Chinese dishes such as chilli chicken and fried rice. • Opened Feb. 8 • 510 N. Coit Road, Ste. 2025, Richardson • www.malabarkitchentx.com 8 RY Barbershop The business offers haircuts for adults and children. It also offers beard trims, hot towel shaves and the Rey service, which includes an exfoliating facial scrub, massage, hot towel, deep hair cleansing, and hair, beard and eyebrow cuts. Walk-ins are welcome and patrons can also make appointments online. • Opened in December • 1144 N. Plano Road, Ste. 200, Richardson • www.instagram.com/ry_barbershop_/

PLANO PKWY.

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RENNER RD.

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ARAPAHO RD.

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Restaurant Bar, which closed in August. • Opened Jan. 29 • 401 W. President George Bush Highway, Ste. 119, Richardson • www.arashpersiangrill.com 3 Co7 Pho & Com The restaurant serves Vietnamese dishes such as com, a rice dish with a choice of fish, chicken or beef, and pho served with noodles and a choice of filet mignon, brisket or meatballs. It also serves wonton noodle soup and fermented fish soup. • Opened Feb. 1 • 1801 N. Plano Road, Ste. 100, Richardson • 469-626-7777

Now open

1 Altered States The business offers sensory deprivation float therapy, cold plunges, red light therapy and more. This is the second location for the company, the first is in Coppell. • Opened Jan. 18

• 212 W. Campbell Road, Richardson • www.alteredstateswellness.com

2 Arash Persian Grill The restaurant serves stews, kabobs, curries and more. According to the company’s social media, it is a sister restaurant to Avesta Persian Grill located in Houston. It is located in the space formerly occupied by Pambazo

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9 Zemen Bar & Grill The business offers a number of dishes such as kitfo, which is beef marinated in spices, and doro wot, a chicken stew. It also has vegan and vegetarian options. Additionally, Zemen Bar & Grill has a number of beer and liquor options. • Opened in December • 2148 E. Belt Line Road, Richardson • www.instagram.com/zemen_restaurantdfw 10 Zion Ethiopian Restaurant The restaurant serves Ethiopian appetizers, seafood and entrees. It will also begin offering a buffet in February that will include vegetarian and vegan options. Zion Ethiopian Restaurant opened in the space formerly occupied by Kebab-N-Kurry, which closed last year. • Opened in mid-January • 401 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 300, Richardson • 469-688-3344

• 1144 N. Plano Road, Ste. 136, Richardson • www.bellefemmebridal.com

Now open

12 Titleist fitting center Titleist is opening a fitting center at Richardson’s Sherrill Park Golf Course, Mayor Bob Dubey said during the Richardson 2025 State of the City address. The fitting center will be the only site Titleist has in North Texas, Dubey said, adding that it will also be the only one in the country on a public golf course. The center will offer certified fitters and technology that will analyze a player’s swing and tailor equipment to them. • Opening TBD • 2001 E. Lookout Drive, Richardson

Closings

14 Dream Cafe The breakfast menu includes omelets, scrambles and benedicts, along with pancakes and breakfast tacos. For lunch, the restaurant serves salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers and more. Pot pies, chicken, shrimp tacos and more are on the dinner menu. The menu includes vegan and vegetarian options. • Opened Feb. 3

13 Burning Rice The restaurant served hot stone rice bowls featuring chicken, bulgogi and more. The signage states the restaurant is relocating; however, it is not known when or where this will happen and the company did not respond to a request for comment. • Closed Jan. 6 • 2069 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 200, Richardson • www.burningrice.com

Coming soon

11 Belle Femme Bridal The bridal store will offer plus-sized and curvy gown options, and accessories such as earrings, veils and more. • Opening March 15

• 520 Lockwood Drive, Richardson • www.dreamcafelakewood.com

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Government

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

Richardson City Council votes to fully fund DART With several Dallas Area Rapid Transit member cities asking for funding reductions, Richardson City Council supported fully funding DART. The overview DART is primarily funded by a one-cent sales and use tax paid by member cities. However, recently, six of the member cities have called for a 25% reduction in funding. Richardson City Manager Don Magner said DART is an amenity to the community. “We believe that it is important to continue to fund DART at the full penny because we believe it will be better when it’s more connected,” Magner said. Magner added that DART can be used as an economic driver for the city and the best way to do that is to fully fund it.

New census data shows decrease in city's median age

DART stations in Richardson

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CityLine/Bush Station

RENNER RD.

Richardson’s population has gotten younger from 2018 to 2023, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The details Overall, the total population increased by about 4,000 people in the five-year span, data shows. In addition to population growth, the data showed the median age of Richardson residents decreased from 36 years of age to 34 years of age. The most populous group of Richardson residents are those aged 25-34 at 21,355, making up 12.7% of the city’s population. In 2018, the city’s population of the same age group was 17,319.

Galatyn Station

ARAPAHO RD.

Arapaho Center Station

Spring Valley Station

City Council approves townhome development

Duck Creek Villas

Richardson

square footage of 1,200 and a maximum of 1,900. The development will be located north of Belt Line Road and west of Jupiter Road and each town- home will be three stories. “[Duck Creek Villas] is a good infill example of what middle missing housing might look like in Richardson,” City Manager Don Magner said. The focus on middle missing housing, Magner said, is because Richardson is mostly built out,

In an effort to address a lack of medium-density housing in the city, Richardson City Council approved a zoning change to allow a 36-townhome development. The details The development is called Duck Creek Villas, and will be on a 3-acre lot, according to city documents, and houses will have a minimum

E. BELT LINE RD.

meaning it has reached its maximum development capacity. Council also approved a special-use permit for a childcare center located at 3501 Murphy Road.

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Education

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

Galen College of Nursing expansion to add 150 more students

Galen College of Nursing is set to expand its facility following action taken by Richardson City Council. The college could add 150 students once the expansion is complete after council approved a special use permit for the school during the Feb. 17 meeting. The details Wes Hoblit, managing director for Masterplan, which represented Galen College of Nursing at the meeting, said the expansion is needed to address enrollment growth and a nursing shortage in North Texas. The approved permit will allow the campus to expand by about 27,000 square feet for a total of 67,000 square feet, increasing the number of students on-site from 300 to 450; however, the school is expecting a total enrollment of about 1,400 students, Andrew Bogda, assistant director of development services for Richardson, said.

The school operates a hybrid schedule, Bogda said, and a portion of the students enroll in online classes, a portion work in clinical rotation and the remaining students are on-site. Trac mitigation measures because of the expansion are not needed, according to city documents; however, if the college were to expand in the future, it would likely be required. The background The college operates in a three-story oce building and rst received a special permit in 2023, Bogda said. The renovations will include a simulation lab and expanded classrooms, labs and study areas. The Envision Richardson comprehensive plan, adopted in 2024, designates the property where the college is located as regional employment and allows public or institutional facilities as a secondary use.

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Education

BY DUSTIN BUTLER & MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

UT Dallas cuts ribbon on esports center UT Dallas cut the ribbon on its new esports gaming center, Comets Landing. The center features a number of amenities such as PC gaming stations, console gaming areas

Richardson ISD enrollment trends RISD saw higher than expected, but still declining, student total student population.

2023-2024 actual

2024-2025 budget

2024-2025 estimate

40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0

Total enrollment

Economically disadvantaged

Special education enrollment

Dyslexia enrollment

and more. The details

SOURCE: RICHARDSON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

RISD projects student population decline Student populations in Richardson ISD are expected to continue to decline, according to a presentation at the Jan. 16 meeting. The details Several factors contribute to the reduction in student population, including declining birth rates

within RISD boundaries. “It’s important to note our demographer’s report is just one piece of data,” Superintendent Tabitha Branum said, adding the report is used for budgeting and analyzing staffing needs. Currently, RISD has nearly 37,000 students; however, a 10-year estimate shows nearly a 4,000 drop, according to a presentation by Georgia Leon- ard of MGT, the demographer used by the district. Along with declining birth rates, Leonard said other factors contributing to the decline in students are lower mobility, and fewer new single family developments.

The two-story, 16,000-square-foot-center cost $15 million will also host esports tour- naments and other student events, camps and academic programs.

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CAMPBELL RD.

State funding, property tax revenue boost help Richardson ISD narrow deficit Richardson ISD is expected to end the 2024-25 fiscal year with a $10 million deficit rather than the $27 million that was projected. The gist State revenue is calculated based on student attendance and the district had higher attendance rates than previous years, Pate said. By the numbers Total enrollment for the district for the 2024-

2025 budget was estimated to be 36,359; however, estimates put the actual number at 36,989, which is still a decrease from the 37,085 enrolled students in the 2023-2024 school year.

State funding also increased because comptrol- ler property values in Richardson did not increase as much as expected. Property tax revenue is estimated to be $242 million, but was budgeted for $239 million, according to district documents.

During a presentation to the board of trustees at the Jan. 16 meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Finance David Pate said several factors contrib- uted to the deficit reduction.

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Education Private School Guide

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

2025

North Dallas Adventist Academy Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K-12 Religious orientation: Seventh-Day Adventist Extracurricular activities: choir, band, orchestra, private music lessons, volleyball, soccer, basketball, robotics

Richardson

Plano

Breckinridge Montessori School Type: Montessori Grades served: pre-K-5 Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: soccer, dance, piano, dancing Enrollment: not provided Tuition: N/A

Good Tree Academy Type: Montessori, religious-based Grades served: K-12 Religious orientation: Muslim Extracurricular activities: after-school clubs, athletics,

Tuition: $6,600-$9,500 annually • 2800 Custer Parkway, Richardson • www.ndaacademy.org Salam Academy Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K-12 Religious orientation: Islam Extracurricular activities: Quran class Tuition: $292-629 monthly • 735 N. Plano Road, Ste. 100, Richardson • www.salamfoundation.us Saint Paul Catholic Classical School Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K through eighth grade Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: archery, chess club, basketball

spelling bee, science fair Tuition: $5,650-$8,700 • 3600 K Ave, Plano • www.goodtreeacademy.org

• 3900 Breckinridge Blvd., Richardson • www.breckinridgemontessori.com

Bridge Builder Academy Type: traditional Grades served: 1-12 Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: none Tuition: $32,000-$45,000 annually • 1221 W. Campbell Road, Ste. 209, Richardson • www.bridgebuilderacademy.com Dallas Learning Center Type: traditional Grades served: 6-12 Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: art, physical education, clay and pottery classes Tuition: $4,500 per semester (middle school), $7,000 per semester (high school)

John Paul II High School Type: religious-based Grades served: 9-12 Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: athletics, school clubs, fine arts, chess, robotics Tuition: $25,300 • 900 Coit Rd., Plano • www.johnpauliihs.org St. Mark Catholic School Type: religious Grades served: pre-K-8 Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: athletics, fine arts, karate, robotics, coding, school clubs, student council

Tuition: $9,800-$12,500 annually • 720 S. Floyd Road, Richardson • www.spsdfw.org

Tuition: $9,575-$13,150 • 1201 Alma Dr., Plano • www.stmcs.net

St. Joseph Catholic School Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K-8 Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities: athletics, clubs, dance, cheer, band, author camp, choir

• 1021 Newberry Drive, Richardson • www.dallaslearningcenter.com

IANT Quranic Academy Type: religious-based Grades served: pre-K through 12th grade Religious orientation: Islam Extracurricular activities: student council, sports Tuition: $7,350 annually • 840 Abrams Road, Richardson • www.myiqa.org

Tuition: $9,700-$10,100 annually • 600 S. Jupiter Road, Richardson • www.stjosephccschool.net

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RICHARDSON EDITION

Transportation

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

TxDOT provides updates on US 75 HOV lane project to Richardson council Richardson drivers may have noticed a change in traffic patterns on US 75—and more changes are coming, according to a TxDOT presentation given to Richardson City Council. During the Jan. 27 meeting, TxDOT Collin County Area Engineer Jennifer Vorster updated council on a project to rename the high-occupancy vehicle lanes on US 75 with what the department calls “technology lanes.” “What that means is that for 22 hours a day ... you’ll be able to use [the HOV lane] as a lane for everybody,” Vorster said. “[The HOV lane] will function as a fifth lane.” The details The purpose of the project is to expand US 75 to five lanes by eliminating the HOV lanes, which are underutilized, by removing the pylons sepa- rating northbound and southbound HOV lanes from I-635 to SH 121. Additional improvements include enhancements to lighting and signage, which requires constructing a new center divider between the northbound and southbound lanes. “We’re getting rid of that temporary barrier and putting in that nice permanent barrier all the way through,” Vorster said. Vorster said the center barrier is currently under construction from President George Bush Tollway to SH 121. Drivers can expect closures in the HOV lanes from PGBT to I-635 beginning in the summer or early fall. The project is expected to be com- pleted by the end of 2026, Vorster said, adding that it is currently ahead of schedule.

Glenville Drive construction to finish Road construction to Glenville Drive from Arapaho Road to Campbell Road are behind schedule but “progressing well,” Richardson City Manager Don Magner said. The details Work on the project began in 2023 and the project consists of reconstructing pavement, public utility improvements and improve- ments to traffic signals, lighting and pedes- trian sidewalks and bike lanes. The project was set to be completed in late 2024, but is now expected to finish in 2025. To make room for the bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks, the road will be reduced from four lanes to two lanes. Funding the project The budget for the project is $23.6 million and funding comes from the 2015 bond, the 2021 bond, certificates of obligation and grants.

Mckinney

121

Plano

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Richardson

635

The background Council was first briefed on the $57 million project in April 2023 and work began in March 2024. The project will convert existing HOV lanes to general purpose lanes by removing the pylons separating the northbound and southbound HOV lanes. The lanes will only be limited to HOVs, low-emission vehicles and motorcycles during high traffic hours—7-9 a.m. in the southbound lane and 4-6 p.m. in the northbound lane.

E. CAMPBELL RD.

E. ARAPAHO RD.

Greenville Avenue, Renner Road work cause closures Richardson drivers can expect lane closures on Greenville Avenue between Spring Valley Road and Huffhines Street. The details Lane closures began Feb. 3 so that crews can begin work on a storm sewer and water line. While crews are working, northbound traffic will be according to the city’s website. What else Additionally, drivers can also expect to see lane closures on Renner Road road at three locations: The right turn lane of westbound Renner Road onto northbound Plano Road

RENNER RD.

HUFFHINES ST.

The right lane of westbound Renner Road between Alma Road and Custer Parkway The right lane of eastbound Renner Road at US 75.

diverted into one of the existing southbound lanes. Construction is expected to last about two weeks,

E. SPRING VALLEY RD.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

Council approves apartment complex on Arapaho Road

More apartments could be coming to Richard- son, following actions taken by City Council. A proposed redevelopment project converting unused oce space to an apartment complex was approved by council during the Feb. 10 meeting. Two-minute impact The proposed redevelopment is located at 250 E. Arapaho Road. The project will consist of 443 residential units in ve buildings, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units available to lease, said Brian McNally, vice president of development for Legacy Partners, the real estate rm representing the developers. Additionally, the average unit size will be 850 square feet, according to city documents. The existing property has been vacant for several years, City Planner Amber Pollan said. The current building will be demolished and the project will include areas designated for open space.

What else? Council also approved a redevelopment project in downtown Richardson during the meeting. Both projects are in line with the future land use plan of the Envision Richardson comprehensive plan, according to city documents. Additionally, multi-family projects are considered a primary use for both locations. Currently, the city is targeting out-of-use or out- dated oce space for redevelopment to address housing needs, City Manager Don Magner said. By eliminating outdated oce space and replacing it with housing, the remaining oce space will become more competitive and the new apartments will help bring people to the area, Magner said. What’s next? The project is still in conceptual stages, Magner said. Demolition is expected to begin in October, with the project nearing completion by October 2029.

Jerry Harkins, owner of Tavern on Main Street in Richardson, speaks on the upcoming apartment complex on Main Street.

DUSTIN BUTLERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Events

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

March

The Ugly Duckling The Lightwire Theater presents a performance of the classic tale with electroluminescent wire. The performance will combine puppetry, technology and dance with a variety of music that ranges from classical to pop. • March 9, 2 p.m. • $20-$30 • Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • www.eisemanncenter.com/event/i/10346/d/the-ugly- duckling The Price is Right The Eisemann Center is hosting a live, interactive, non- televised version of the show “The Price Is Right.” The show will allow select participants to try out some of the show’s longest-running and most popular games, and also win cash prizes. The stage show has been going for more than 20 years. • March 13, 7:30 p.m. • $44-$63 • Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • www.eisemanncenter.com/event?i=10687 Fluid Art Experience The event will give attendees an opportunity to sit in on demonstrations from several artists and learn techniques and tips on a variety of acrylic pouring art forms. Two time slots for classes will be hosted each day, and each class will last around three hours. • March 14-16, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. • $250-$350 (per class) • Renaissance Dallas Hotel, 900 E. Lookout Drive, Richardson • www.fluidartexperience.com Make a butterfly garden Dallas Master Gardener Janet Smith will be teaching attendees how to create a butterfly garden in their own gardens. Smith specializes in creating attractive landscapes that conserve natural resources and money, are good for the local ecology, and attract bees, butterflies and birds. Free seeds will be available while supplies last. • March 15, 1-2 p.m. • Free

Richardson Farmers Market The weekly farmers market, hosted by Four Seasons Markets, occurs every Saturday. Guests can buy a variety of fresh produce and “artisanal” goods, according to the market’s website.

• March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • 101 S. Coit Road, Richardson • www.fourseasonsmarkets.com

Taste of Richardson The Richardson Library is hosting a “mini-restaurant tour of several of the diverse, delicious restaurants Richardson has to offer,” according to the city’s website. The event will feature small bites from several restaurants and is open to all ages. • March 29, 1-2 p.m. • Free • Richardson Library, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd, Richardson • www.cor.net/departments/public-library

• City Council Chamber, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Ste. 525, Richardson • www.cor.net/departments/public-library Trailblazing Women of Country The afternoon concert will be a tribute to the music of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, featuring performances from Miko Marks, Nashville-based singer Kristina Train and others. • March 23, 2 p.m. • $30-$50 • Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson • www.eisemanncenter.com/event/i/10361/d/ trailblazing-women-of-country

RICHARDSON EDITION

Desks into doorsteps From the cover

The inspiration

Two-minute impact

eliminating an office product that wasn’t going to compete very well and replacing it with some- thing much more valuable,” Magner said. At both The Glenville and Sherman Lofts, the previous buildings were demolished so that new construction could take place. Tommy Mann of Winstead PC, which rep- resents Lang Partners, the company redeveloping the property, told Richardson City Council when the project was originally approved in 2021 that the previous building was “unappealing to current tenants” and the company struggled to lease the space.

The city is largely built out, Magner said, meaning that fewer large single-family homes can be developed. “Most of what we’re going to do is redevelop and reinvent little pockets of Richardson,” Mag- ner said. “Because of the economics of the day, most of the new projects will be much denser.” The city is also leveraging the projects’ prox- imity to DART’s Red Line, aiming to also increase DART ridership in the process, Magner said. Magner added that in the current commercial real estate market many companies are looking for highly amenitized offices. “We see it as a win-win because we were

Three projects that aim to repurpose outdated office space as apartments are in the early stages of development, Richardson City Manager Don Magner said. The Glenville, a former Baylor Scott & White medical office located at 2520 N. Central Expressway, and Sherman Lofts, located at 111 W. Spring Valley Road, have both started construction. A third, located at 250 E. Arapaho Road, was approved at City Council’s Feb. 10 meeting. JLB Partners Developer Jeff Patton said the building set to become The Glenville was poorly suited for retail or office uses because the COVID-19 pandemic permanently reset the office market with many businesses offering work from home or hybrid opportunities.

RENNER RD.

PGBT TOLL

250 Arapaho Road

Sherman Lofts

The Glenville

Projects

Current land use Richardson officials aim to redevelop outdated office space near major roadways as residential developments.

CAMPBELL RD.

Total acres

3.78

4.43

10.39

Total units

379

390

443

ARAPAHO RD.

Office Retail Multi-family Parks

Estimated unit size Estimated completion Eliminated office space

750 sq. ft.

825 sq. ft.

850 sq. ft. 30-36 months

BELT LINE RD.

18-20 months

18-20 months 20.22K sq. ft.

80K sq. ft.

156K sq. ft.

SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Diving in deeper

What’s next

By eliminating underused office space, the remaining office space becomes more competi- tive and brings in new companies, Magner said. Additionally, the city offers economic incen- tives to companies willing to move to Rich- ardson and several businesses have expanded or relocated their offices recently, including Associa, Geico and Micron Technology. Associa, a property management company, is investing $55.5 million for real estate pur- chases, building enhancements and other tenant improvements. Similarly, Micron Technology, which makes semiconductors, received an economic incentive of $300,000 and plans to invest $30 million in tenant improvements. Geico designated Richardson as its operating hub in December, expanding its offerings to include commercial insurance, Jason Andruko- nis, Geico head of commercial operations, said. Along with the office buildings’ proximity

Magner said that both the Glenville and Sherman Lofts would have started construction earlier if not for economic considerations such as inflation and lending interest rates. He added that those are beginning to stabilize. As a result, residents may see significantly more construction in 2025 than they did in 2024, especially with a third project on the horizon.

Geico

Associa

Micron Technology

500

250 250

jobs

SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSON, GEICO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

to DART stations, Magner added that nearby restaurant and entertainment options will further support new residential developments, while they could also see an increase in customers. Patton added that The Glenville’s location makes it unsuitable for a mixed-use develop- ment, similar to CityLine, but the access to public transit and nearby parks and trails make the location “a vibrant area to add housing density.”

“[Redevelopment is] a big priority for us … I think this is an indication that our strategy is being successful in a relatively short period of time.” DON MAGNER, RICHARDSON CITY MANAGER

RICHARDSON EDITION

Dining

BY KAREN CHANEY

Jeng Chi carries on family tradition in Richardson Francisco “Chico” Teng, a third generation restaurateur, said when his mom, Mei Teng moved to Texas from China, following a stint in Taiwan and Brazil due to political unrest, she started working in an Asian supermarket in Richardson. Eventually, she oered to make and sell steamed buns at the store. “I remember in high school we’d make steamed buns on the weekends and she sold them at the supermarket,” Chico said. Eventually, Chico’s father, Yuan Teng joined the family in Texas and together they decided to open a dough-centric Chinese restaurant versus a rice-ori- ented restaurant since those already existed in the community. The backstory Chico’s grandfather opened many businesses in China, including a restaurant he named Jeng Chi.

In 1990, the Tengs opened Jeng Chi in DFW China Town in Richardson. The business tripled in size during the rst two decades in operation. During that time, Chico graduated from Univer- sity of North Texas with a graphic design degree, worked a corporate job for a while then decided that lifestyle wasn’t for him. He returned to the family business where he became a manager then, to increase his skillset, he trained as a baker at a large culinary establishment in Taiwan. While there he learned how to elevate Chinese cuisine. “Somehow the Chinese cuisine kind of stepped itself down to the point that it became a buet in America,” Chico said. “In Taiwan it is not that way. The food progressed into this modern thing. So my purpose here was to create this idea of traditional food, but meeting today’s needs.” In 2013, Chico and his wife, Janelle Teng, who had extensive hospitality experience, took over ownership of the family restaurant which was being relocated to a much larger space within DFW China Town. “He asked me to marry him in October 2012, we were married in March 2013 and opened the [new

location] in April,” Janelle said. “[The Jeng family] took a huge leap of faith in their son’s choice of a spouse. They didn’t really know me.” On the menu Chico said he and his mother created recipes for all the menu items. “Our kitchen is most well known for our dump- lings,” Janelle said. Dumpling options, which are all hand-rolled, include juicy, steamed, boiled and pot stickers. “When we say we make everything from scratch, we really mean from scratch,” Chico said. Quote of note When Chico walks through the restaurant, which will celebrate its 35th year anniversary in May, he nds audible joy in the journey. “When the restaurant is going well, it’s about the roar— that’s the exciting thing. It’s actually people enjoying themselves,” Chico said. “You provide something that is really good, and then that thing churns and creates something beautiful.”

Chico and Janelle Teng took over ownership of Jeng Chi in 2013.

E. ARAPAHO RD.

N. GREENVILLE AVE.

E.MAINST.

400 N. Greenville Ave., Ste. 11, Richardson www.jengchirestaurant.com

Small juicy dumplings ($14) are Jeng Chi’s signature soup dumplings which are lled with pork, ginger, green onion and seasoning.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

DALLAS 9500 North Central Expressway (214) 369-2800 ADDISON 15055 Inwood Road (972) 239-5891

FIRST EDITION!

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT FEBRUARY 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EXCURSIONS: A Port Aransas Quest CRITTER: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: A Western Wear Pair FEATURE PREVIEW: Panhandle Fires, One Year Later

Above: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas.

RICHARDSON EDITION

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Fellow Texan, WELCOME

I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to bring you this special edition of Texas Monthly ’s February issue within the pages of Community Impact . One great Texas institution meets another. Community Impact and Texas Monthly have shared goals: to equip you with the news and perspectives that help you understand your state and your neighborhood and inspire you to engage with the people and places that surround you. Each month, we’ll provide you a kind of sampler of what Texas Monthly has to offer. Food, drink, travel, critters, and a taste of some of the award-winning storytelling Texas Monthly is known for. Enjoy the next few pages, thank you for welcoming us into your home, and please consider subscribing to Texas Monthly. —ROSS McCAMMON

EXCURSIONS Among the Craniacs North America’s tallest bird stalks Port Aransas once again. Its fans are back too. BY ROSE CAHALAN

I'M LEANING ON the rail of the Scat Cat, a red-and-white charter fishing boat in Aran- sas Bay, when two bottlenose dolphins leap majestically out of the water alongside our wake. The midday February sun gleams on their fins as the pair chases us. “Look!” I shout. A few of my sixty or so fellow passengers turn to watch, but this is only a warm-up for the real stars of the show: the whooping cranes. Today’s tour is part of the Whooping Crane Festival, an annual four-day winter celebra- tion of one of the continent’s rarest avian

species—and its tallest. About two thousand birders have descended on Port Aransas, a Gulf Coast town of around 2,900 residents on Mustang Island, for the twenty-seventh iteration, which is packed with more than fifty events, including birding tours and lectures by scientists. (This year’s festival happens February 20–23.) Before the arrival of European settlers, more than ten thousand of these birds soared across the continent, but habitat destruction and overhunting drove them to the brink. By

EDITOR IN CHIEF, TEXAS MONTHLY

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Its Reputation As a Ranch Pest Is Changing. The most common of the five species of prairie dogs in North America, these charismatic creatures today inhabit only about 2 percent of their native range, which once covered roughly 100 million acres of the Great Plains. Agriculture and urban development have consumed much of that habitat, and some ranch- ers, worried that these prairie dogs were competing with cattle for grass, exter- minated them. It turns out, though, that they are beneficial for grasslands. SO HOW DO THEY HELP? Prairie dogs nibble down the woody shrubs that could hide their predators and that often take over grasslands. This preserves habitat for birds and animals such as pronghorn. Plus, the rodents’ digging mixes and aerates the soil, and their scat provides nutrients. HOW DO WE KNOW FOR SURE? Scientists collected data from a group of GPS collar–wearing cattle that grazed on three pastures within a pre- serve. In warm seasons, the herd spent more time on the prairie dog colony than in areas outside it. I HEARD THEY CARRY PLAGUE. IS THAT TRUE? Prairie dogs are susceptible to the syl- vatic plague, caused by the same bac- terium as the bubonic plague. But it’s primarily fleas, not rodents, that spread it. At a respectful distance, you can en- joy them without fear. —Robyn Ross CRITTER BLACK�TAILED PRAIRIE DOG

early efforts to revive whooping cranes with captive breeding. During several breeding seasons in the late seventies and early eight- ies, he even lived in a shed with a female crane named Tex, who had imprinted on humans after hatching at the San Antonio Zoo. “Cranes require a great deal of space,” Ar- chibald said. “Each species selects a different type of wetland or grassland.” Unfortunately, those are some of the most easily destroyed habitats: With no trees to cut down, develop- ers can simply pave them over. Captive breed- ing has played a crucial role in the comeback of the species. In the past decade, the Dallas Zoo has picked up the baton, as one of seven organizations in the U.S. and Canada to carry on Archibald’s legacy of breeding baby whoop- ing cranes to release in the wild.

1941 only 21 whooping cranes were left in the wild. Today, after decades of extensive conservation work, there are about 700 wild whoopers left. Wherever there are cranes, there are crani- acs. The birders who visit Port Aransas—“We estimate the economic impact to be near $1 million,” says Brett Stawar, president and CEO of the town’s tourism bureau—bring with them an intense enthusiasm. The undisputed king of the craniacs is George Archibald, the 78-year-old cofounder of the International Crane Foundation. Archibald was a leader in

A birder at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas, on December 14, 2024; birders in Port Aransas; a sign at the preserve.

RICHARDSON EDITION

January 18-February 14

Give your loved one the ultimate symbol of endless love… a hissing cockroach.

Stop by the Museum Store to visit our Valentine's Roach Motel!

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