Project Description
Public Engagement, West Prairie Creek Drive
The City of Richardson, Texas included the improvements to West Prairie Creek Drive in its 2015 bond program. In early 2021, an online survey revealed that many nearby residents were concerned about the preliminary plans for these improvements, which address water, sewer, traffic, parking and pedestrian safety. After the City revised these plans in response to this feedback, they chose to gain public input at an Open House on July 20, 2021. Strategic Community Solutions LLC assisted staff in the design of the workshop, and participated in the session as well. The Open House input provided direction for the final capital improvement design.
Collins-Arapaho TOD/Innovation District Form-Based Code
Few cities would initiate a rezoning of about 1,200 acres of developed private property. But for Richardson, rezoning is a critical step in the transformation of this employment center, which is an aging light industrial area adjacent to a DART light rail station. Building on the Game Plan created by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce (for which SCS was the consultant) and a Vision Plan developed by another team of consultants, the rezoning removes barriers holding back the mixed-use, higher-intensity and more flexible development desired by nearby residents, property owners, area businesses and young entrepreneurs hoping to start companies here. The rezoning consultant team was led by Kimley-Horn, Inc. and also included Jacobs and SCS. The City Council’s unanimous adoption in December 2019 came after a public hearing with many property owners expressing support.
East Arapaho Collins Economic Development Strategy
Another reinvestment priority for the City of Richardson is the East Arapaho Collins area. SCS designed a process for the City and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce to enable a volunteer task force to reach agreement on economic development actions for this area. These recommendations were approved as a “Game Plan” by the leadership of both groups in early 2017.
Main Street / Central Expressway Form-Based Code
SCS continued to work as part of a team, led by Jacobs and then by Kimley-Horn and Associates, that worked with the City of Richardson to implement the Main Street / Central Expressway Corridor study through a Rezoning Initiative. SCS responsibilities include public engagement (online and through meetings and interviews) and collaboration on policy direction. The initial City-initiated rezoning addressed four districts within the Corridor. Adopted in January 2014, it has spurred new development and reinvestment. A second City-initiated rezoning for four additional districts was adopted in October 2016.
Main Street / Central Expressway Vision Plan
SCS provided similar services as a subconsultant to Jacobs for a second project with the City of Richardson, which created an area plan for the Main Street / Central Expressway Corridor. This area includes both the traditional Richardson downtown and highway-oriented areas along a major expressway; it is also an ethnically-diverse area. This study produced recommendations for future land use, public and private investment to revitalize this area. The report divided the study area into subdistricts and provided land use, design and investment recommendations for each subdistrict. SCS designed stakeholder meetings, conducted and analyzed keypad polling of direction and visual preferences, structured implementation recommendations and priorities, and provided other planning assistance to the project. The Richardson City Council accepted this study’s recommendations in January 2013.
West Spring Valley Vision Plan and Implementation
Strategic Community Solutions was part of a consultant team led by HOK, which assisted the City of Richardson on its West Spring Valley Vision Plan. The initial phase of this study focused on creation of a vision and feasible economic strategy for revitalization of an older commercial arterial and its adjacent development. The team’s recommendations addressed land use, urban design, transportation, open space, other utilities, and related issues. The process included three Community Workshops, each including facilitated small group discussions and the use of keypad polling for participant feedback. Ms. Walz was part of the team designing the workshops, conducting and analyzing the keypad polling and developing recommendations for the City. The study’s recommendations were adopted by the City Council in November 2010.
The second phase of this project focused on the creation of design guidelines and a planned development ordinance to achieve the vision developed during the initial phase of work. SCS designed stakeholder meetings, conducted and analyzed keypad polling of direction and visual preferences, participated in focus group discussions and provided other planning assistance to the project. The ordinance resulting from this process was adopted in 2011.
Project Details
- Project TypeArea Plan, Public Engagement, Zoning
- ClientCity of Richardson, Texas
