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June 2006 • Volume 3, Issue 6 This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home All Signs Point To Success For City, Says Keffler By Contributing Writer Brian Fraser In his annual State-of-the-City address, Richardson City Manager Bill Keffler said he sees signs of enormous strength, growth and change. The keynote talk during the Richardson’s Chamber of Commerce’s Signature Luncheon, Keffler’s presentation was attended by more than 100 business executives and community leaders. Keffler’s presentation was “not only a recap of where we’ve been and where we are now, it’s also a taking stock of our future. It starts with my bosses,” he commented, ”since it’s been the continuity of our City’s leadership which has made the difference in enabling the City of Richardson to be so successful. Overall, working together on a common mission, the City Council creates a vision for our community at the start and have seen it to completion. “Five areas – Comprehensive Planning; Neighborhood Integrity & Code Enforcement; Infrastructure Renewal; Retail Revitalization; and Financial Planning – encompass the 2005-2007 goals of this City Council. They’ve kept it simple and decided that these five sectors will make the difference for our community now and moving into the future,” he added. In terms of the City’s financial situation, Keffler identified some “restoring signals” in the City’s resources starting with the City’s improving property tax base. “Tax revenues – property taxes and sales tax -- are what drives the economy. Tax rates – and the revenues that the City collects -- are the 'litmus test' of a community ... that’s why you’ll see this mentioned a dozen times on the front page of The Dallas Morning News. “Sales tax will generate approximately a third of the revenue for the City of Richardson in 2005-2006. Although the total is still lower than it was in 1997-98, we’re seeing some improvement and a return to those levels. We certainly feel like we’re turning the economic corner even though the growth has been moderate over the last three years. Another good indication is that the sales tax revenues are up 11 percent this year over the same period last year. Keffler also pointed out the improving contribution of revenues from hotel-motel taxes. “The $8 million that The Richardson Hotel put into capital improvements is paying off in improved occupancy rates; this hotel is a beautiful centerpiece for the community. The average daily room rate (ADR) reached $83.38 for March 2006 while occupancy is at 68 percent, up seven percent over March of last year. There’s actually a wait now for breakfast in hotel restaurants and other meeting locations where people are getting together and making things happen. “A new full-service hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, has been announced for Richardson at Waterview Parkway and President George Bush Turnpike. This is a great sign and one that shows we’re still a destination for business travelers,” he remarked. The City’s credit/bond rating is AA+ (2000 upgrade) and Aa1 (2001 upgrade) by Standard & Poor's and Moody’s respectively. According to Keffler, both services feel that we are a good bet, that we’ve managed the financial situation of the City of Richardson well and can live up to the expectations of our upcoming bond election. City Operations“However, in terms of City operations, it’s a continuing challenge to keep employees. For instance, the Richardson Police Department currently has 15 positions open because, with residential and commercial growth to the north of us, there are now lots of opportunities for these officers at other police departments in North Texas. Residential Revitalization“We have 50 homeowner associations here in Richardson and, unlike the love-hate relationship in other cities, we try to work together by holding monthly informational and input meetings. The associations help develop pride in neighborhoods, such as Indian Reservation and Canyon Creek, for instance, and become involved in discussions of how code enforcement can contribute to neighborhood value. “The Council takes time to listen, on issues such as rental property inspections and RVs parking on properties, and has been courageous, I think, in assuming this role while the neighborhood associations too have been adamant about taking the point on many issues. Mobility“The superb transportation infrastructure is a big benefit of living and working in Richardson, Texas. Richardson is bounded on the north by the Bush Turnpike; on the south by LBJ Freeway (with the completed High-Five) and 75/North Central Expressway -- simultaneously the 'bane' and the 'magi' of our existence -- cutting right through the middle of the City. The Bush Turnpike now extends to DFW International Airport, in a predictable 30-minute trip – which is very important to us. "Pretty soon, over the next 18 to 24 months, we’ll have dual direction HOV lanes running at dawn and dusk into and out of Richardson. Looking to the future, we’re hoping that the Cotton Belt Line – a 54-mile route to Fort Worth through DFW International airport and even connecting to Tyler and Longview, will be approved for an East-West DART Light Rail route. Richardson has more transit stations along the DART Light Rail line than any other suburban city in the Metroplex. "We wanted to allow the DART red line to connect through Richardson in all directions. To protect that possibility, the City even bought a piece of property in Plano. The Council was very intuitive on that potential when they made that decision. In addition, we’re looking at a Galatyn Parkway overpass extension and the introduction of safe 'Quiet Zone' railway crossings. Economic Development"Economic development is the lifeblood of a community’s future and our Richardson Economic Development Partnership between the City and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce remains very strong. The REDP has produced a 'Surround Yourself with Synergy' brochure, which describes the many benefits of businesses locating in Richardson. And, according to an article by The Dallas Morning News real estate reporter Steve Brown, Richardson has made the biggest rebound and has some of the best real estate available in the Metroplex, in a very competitive marketplace. “With Countrywide taking over three large buildings, as well as purchases and major leases by Fossil and other companies, we’re now filling almost all our available 100,000 square-foot blocks of office space. So we’re getting close to needing new ‘build-to-suits.’ Countrywide has almost filled up those buildings at Galatyn with 2,500 employees and is looking at development of another 500,000 square feet, as well as leasing another building nearby. Texas Instruments is just finishing up construction of its fab and they’ll be putting in $2.5 billion dollars of equipment over the next two to five years. The fab was the biggest capital construction project announced in the world in 2003. The Discovery Channel did a program about what a good, ‘green’ facility TI has built. Usually, it takes years to put wafer fabs next to neighborhoods but we understand what is needed and the City of Richardson helped to make that happen.” "Meanwhile, Fossil, which was started by the Kartsotis brothers, graduates of Berkner High School, has taken the Fall Creek site on Central Expressway for their corporate headquarters. Other corporations – Avnet, AT&T, Fujitsu, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Samsung and Cisco – are growing in Richardson. The City has strong and growing institutional partners – UTD, RISD, DART, plus the Richardson Regional Medical Center and its planned new Cancer Center with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. With PISD and RISD, we’re looking to facilitate new school sites in the Breckenridge area. Redevelopment“The new development along the Bush Turnpike and Galatyn Park transit corridor and renewal along 75 around the DART transit sites is part of our dual vision of development and renewal. We’re a city that is a net importer of work; our daytime population is 136 percent of our residential population. That live/work connection is important and the jobs are staying here. Richardson has four DART stations and TOD (transit-oriented development) will soon be creating a new urbanism around these transportation nodes
There is a lot of other activity in Richardson’s retail sector:
Another change on the retail horizon, if passed by voters at the November election, may be the introduction -- similar to other nearby communities -- of alcohol off-premises purchasing at grocery and convenience stores. Conclusion“So far, we’re on a roll in 2006,” summarized Keffler. “The City of Richardson is strong and stable; we’re renewing and sustaining ourself; and the projects we’ve got underway are exciting, inspiring and assuring. We’re guided by visionary leadership, supported by a great community; and our growth is implemented through true partnerships. “With so many strong prospects for more economic development during 2006, we feel that Richardson will be even better in 2007.” Action News is a monthly publication of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Communications Department. Contact the editor. To unsubscribe, e-mail administrator@telecomcorridor.com. Please provide your name, company, phone number and e-mail address. |
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