In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no residential trash, curbside recycling or brush collection Nov. 25-26. In addition, the following facilities will be closed: ● City Hall ● Heritage Aquatic Center ● Hunter Ferrell Landfill ● Irving Archives and Museum ● Irving Animal Care Campus ● Irving Arts Center ● Irving public libraries ● Recreation centers
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City of Irving Water Utilities Department adds its 11th ground-level water storage tank to the system, expected to be complete in spring 2022.
IRVING, TX PERMIT NO. 883
Many offices and services will resume normal business hours on Monday, Nov. 29. For a full schedule, visit CityofIrving.org. n
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RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
City Holiday/No Trash Collection
CityofIrving.org
NOVEMBER 2021 / VOL 28 / NO 11
A N O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E C I T Y O F I R V I N G
SHOP SMALL IN IRVING There are an estimated 8,880 businesses within the City of Irving, of which 86.9% have less than 20 employees.
Conceptual Rendering
Williams Square Plaza Update Excitement grows as the Irving Williams Square Plaza reconstruction project progresses on schedule with a projected spring 2022 completion date. The $7.8 million Capital Improvement Program project, located in the heart of Irving’s Urban Center, will soon transform into a pedestrian-friendly destination where visitors from all will enjoy the refinished iconic mustangs plus a variety of improved plaza amenities. Significant repairs to the infrastructure are currently underway including replacing the pumps, valves, controls and piping for the entire fountain with new spray jets and lighting within the fountain basin. The new piping is heavy-duty and built to last for many years. Crews also are working on a new water supply line and completely
reworking the electrical supply to provide enhanced lighting within the plaza for added security at night. Upon completion, Williams Square Plaza will welcome guests with enhanced landscaping, including three 10-by-10-foot waterproof tree wells that will hold 30-foot-Bur oak trees. In addition, the city is adding several shaded seating areas, a large stage area in front of the north tower, an ADA-compliant access ramp and an elevated viewing platform in front of the west tower, providing a unique view of the Mustangs of Las Colinas — a perfect photo-op experience!
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday, and this year the shopping holiday falls on Nov. 27. Shopping local is more important than ever for Irving’s small businesses, especially with the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Residents who spend tax dollars in town not only support small businesses, but those dollars are reinvested in the community in impactful ways. From improving neighborhoods to enhancing the quality of life in Irving — shopping small makes a huge difference. Celebrate small businesses by shopping local and giving back to the community! n
To stay up-to-date on the Williams Square Plaza project, visit CityofIrving.org/IrvingInvests. n
Make the Easy Choice: Recycle PROPER GREASE AND OIL DISPOSAL
"What a great workout,” Jane says as she opens her shiny silver fridge to grab a cold, refreshing water bottle. The plastic bottle sharply crinkles as she twists the cap off to quench her thirst. As she heads to the front door, she tosses her empty plastic bottle into her blue recycling bag and strolls down her two-step porch, waving at Bob as he slowly drives down the street. Thud. Crunch. Clank. Bob carelessly tosses a clear plastic bottle out the car window, which is now quickly rolling downhill in the breeze, hitting the concrete curb and sliding into a nearby storm drain. The plastic bottle has become a pollutant in the city’s stormwater drainage system, instead of a potential recyclable byproduct. In Fiscal Year 2020-21, crews removed 337,060 pounds of debris from the city’s drainage system.
Food waste should be managed appropriately to avoid costly issues with clogged pipes. Help maintain the integrity of sewer infrastructure by properly disposing of fats, oils, grease and other food debris after cooking.
Toss Like a Boss for National Recycling Day National Recycling Day is Nov. 15, and Solid Waste Services reminds residents to "Toss Like a Boss." Items that can be recycled include:
1. Dirty and tarnished floating through the dark drainage system, 2. Before it is released into the open-air stormwater runoff, and finally, 3. Discarded into a nearby stream, pond or lake where it will disrupt wildlife ecosystems, as well as any recreational areas and water views.
● Aluminum and steel food cans ● Corrugated cardboard (broken down and put inside the blue bag or placed underneath) ● Glass bottles and jars Make sure ● Paper recyclables are ● Junk mail (direct mail) EMPTY, CLEAN ● Magazines and DRY ● Paper bags ● School paper ● Paperboard boxes (cereal, macaroni, etc.) ● Plastic containers numbers 1-3 and 5-7
Do not be like Bob. Make the easy choice to "Toss Like a Boss," and remember — only rain down the drain.
Visit CityofIrving.org/Recycling for more recycling information. n
Because of Bob’s choice, the bottle’s journey follows the path of being:
Rent, Mortgage, Utility Assistance Funding Still Available for Residents Irving residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive short-term emergency housing assistance to pay rent, mortgage or utilities. The assistance is in the form of a grant, and no repayment is needed. Payments are made directly to a landlord, mortgage company or utility provider. Eligibility is dependent on income and household size. Residents are urged to review programs online to determine eligibility at CityofIrving.org/COVIDHousing. For more information, email housingassistance@cityofirving.org or call (972) 721-4899. n
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) should not be poured down the drain. Improper FOG disposal can lead to expensive sewer backups for homeowners and renters, and it creates a major strain on the city’s infrastructure and environment. The majority of sanitary sewer overflows are due to FOG buildup from homes and apartments. Help prevent sewer issues by following the proper FOG disposal tips: ● Always put oil and grease in collection containers. ● Wipe FOG residue from pots, pans, plates and kitchen utensils with a paper towel and place it in the trash can. ● Use a screen on the drain to catch food scraps and dispose of debris in the trash. ● Avoid using the sink disposal to prevent food scraps from impacting residential and city sewer pipes. Residents are encouraged to recycle FOG through the city’s Special Waste Collection program. Call (972) 721-8059 for more information. n