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CITY
CITY OF IRVING.ORG
PAID
IRVING
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE
Irving City Council approves tax rate and a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21. See the budget overview on page 4.
IRVING, TX PERMIT NO. 883
The Irving Arts Center offers performances and Registered voters can cast their ballots gallery visits by reservation. Virtual tours, streaming for Irving City Council elections on Nov. 3. and Art To Go offers residents a variety of options. Información en español en la página 3. AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF IRVING
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RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
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CityofIrving.org
OCTOBER 2020 / VOL 27 / NO 10
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
IRVING COMMUNITY TELEVISION NETWORK WINS 11 NATIONAL AWARDS
February Public Input Meeting
Artist Rendering
City Seeks Community Input on Irving Boulevard Reconstruction In 2019, the City of Irving initiated a downtown revitalization project to redesign a 1-mile section of Irving Boulevard, from Sowers Road to Strickland Plaza, that runs through the city’s historic Heritage Crossing District. The project is intended to help draw people and businesses to this quaint and beautiful part of town and evolve the Heritage Crossing District into a destination location. Construction is slated to begin in 2021 and conclude in 2023. In February, the city hosted two public meetings to gather community input for a preliminary design. Now, Irving is asking business owners, residents and other stakeholders to review the proposed design and offer comments and feedback. In the interest of public safety, an online presentation, downloadable design materials and an online comment form will be available in mid-October at
CityofIrving.org/IrvingBlvd to gather input. The public input period will run for two weeks. Project Background Current plans recommend reducing three vehicle lanes to two lanes along Irving Boulevard from Sowers Road to Strickland Plaza. The remaining right-of-way would be used for parallel parking, wider sidewalks, a bike lane and streetscape amenities. While construction is underway, the city will make additional improvements to the water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The renovation project is one of many investments the city is making in the area.
The City of Irving has awarded 17 neighborhood and homeowner associations with $25,000 in funding for projects through the city's Neighborhood Grant Program. Eligible applicants are awarded up to $1,750 annually. Administered by the Communications Department, the grant funds are used to provide seed money to assist organized neighborhoods with community projects. The matching grants allow associations to leverage the organization’s existing capital and/or the time and talents of the residents with grant funds received from the city in an effort to improve the neighborhoods. The money can be used for beautification efforts, communication initiatives and neighborhood events. Associations receiving funding through the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Neighborhood Grant Program are: Barton Estates, Cardinal Village, Enclave at Windsor Ridge, Espanita, Hackberry Creek, High Point Estates, Historic Hospital District, Hospital District South, Irving Hospital District, Lakeside Landing, Las Brisas Hills, MacArthur Commons, Nichols Park, Northwest Place, University Hills, Valley Vistas and West Irving Improvement. For more information or details on registering a neighborhood association with the city, contact the Communications Department at (972) 721-7600. n
Eerie Irving Park, A Drive-Thru Experience Bring the family out to this first-time free fall event on Saturday, October 24.
Children aged 15 and younger will receive a commemorative bucket to collect treats along the route. Upon leaving Eerie Irving Park, each vehicle will receive one pumpkin to take home and decorate with the family. All treats, buckets and pumpkins are available while supplies last.
The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) recently honored ICTN with 11 awards during the 2020 virtual conference. NATOA received more than 550 entries submitted by local governments across the country. Top awards included the Award of Excellence for “Illuminate Irving,” a story about the city’s efforts to raise community awareness and provide assistance for those who experience domestic abuse.
For more information, contact project manager Imelda Speck at (972) 721-2398 or via email at ispeck@cityofirving.org. n
Neighborhoods Receive Grant Funds for Programs
Eerie Irving Park, a Drive-Thru Experience, will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Trinity View Park, 2221 E. State Highway 356. Come see all of the Halloween frights from the comfort of your vehicle. There will be something lurking at every corner, and for the older children, make the turn into Zombie Apocalypse.
Irving Community Television Network (ICTN) is the city’s video production department, which produces an array of local news programming, arts and entertainment features, and informational videos.
During the event, attendees must stay in vehicles at all times. No buses, oversized vans or RVs will be allowed. All applicable laws apply to vehicles, and each person should remain safely buckled in a seatbelt. Drivers must keep one car distance of space while traveling and maintain the flow of traffic. Any safety violations could result in being asked to leave the event immediately. COVID-19 governmental orders, including mask requirements in place at the time of the event, will be observed. Like and follow the Irving Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook @IrvingParksRec for the most up-to-date information or visit IrvingEvents.org. On event day, attendees traveling from Loop 12 should take the Irving Boulevard exit and travel east. Turn right at S. Wildwood Drive and left on 6th Street. Watch for directional signs for event. Service roads from Irving Boulevard/State Highway 356 to Trinity View will be closed; follow signage. Portalet restrooms will be available for guests prior to entering the park. n
The city’s production division also won an Award of Excellence in the Student/Intern category for “North Texas Comic Book Show 2019,” as well as its news series program, City Source, hosted by Thomas Gandy. “Irving is unique in that it offers a significant amount of local news for its residents,” said Irving Communications Director April Reiling. “Irving Community Television Network is a tremendous asset to the city and to the community, and I am proud of the team of professionals who work hard to tell Irving’s story in an engaging yet informative way.” The city leverages ICTN’s video production expertise for internal and external communications, including features on the employee intranet, the city’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. For a full listing of awards and to learn more about ICTN, visit the city’s website at CityofIrving.org/ICTN. To view additional ICTN videos, visit CityofIrving.org/YouTube or search for videos on-demand at ICTN.tv. n
CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES Residents are reminded to set clocks back one hour for the ending of Daylight Saving Time Nov. 1. As part of the Irving Fire Department’s Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery campaign, residents are reminded to replace smoke detector batteries when changing clocks. n