Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 Post
2023 is just one day away! In our last post for the #NRH22YIR, we’re recapping some of the top stories from the NRH Police and Fire Departments during 2022.
Luka joined NRHPD as the department’s newest K-9. He is the third K9 to work for NRH, replacing Breta who retired in 2021 after 9 years of service. Much of the cost to bring Luka on board was covered by a generous donor.
With help from the latest in DNA technology, NRHPD was able to solve a 19-year-old cold case involving the shooting of then-officer and now Assistant Police Chief Jeff Garner. You can read more about this case and watch the press briefing at https://www.nrhtx.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=989.
Police Chief Jimmy Perdue was sworn in as president and spokesperson of the Texas Police Chiefs Association. In this leadership position, he testified before the Texas Legislature and spoke to numerous national news outlets about policing and public safety issues.
The NRH Fire Department was once again awarded “Recognized Status” from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Best Practices Recognition Program. To earn this status, a department must meet or exceed best practices related to emergency medical service, fire operations, special operations, training, fire prevention/risk reduction/community outreach, communications, professional standards, conduct and more. The recognition lasts for a period of 4-years.
Grayson Smith became the first graduate of the Birdville ISD Fire Academy to join the ranks of the NRH Fire Department. The Birdville ISD Fire Academy was created in 2016 as a partnership between the NRH Fire Department, Birdville ISD and Tarrant County College to prepare today’s youth for a career as a Firefighter/Paramedic. We are thankful for the partnerships that make this program possible and look forward to watching Grayson progress in his career.
We hope you enjoyed our look back at 2022. Thank you for being part of our community this past year. We look forward to continuing to serve you in 2023!
Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 Post
There are only 2 more days until 2023! As we count down to the new year, we’re taking a look back the top development news in North Richland Hills in 2022.
Progress continues on the City Point mixed-use development next to NRH City Hall. The developer wrapped up the construction of streets and other infrastructure earlier this year and started building new homes and apartments. Construction of the new commercial buildings along City Point Drive is anticipated to begin in 2023.
Other businesses currently under construction and expected to open in 2023 are:
• Tru by Hilton Hotel – Located on Weyland Dr near SH183, the four-story hotel will have 84 rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center and breakfast café.
• Wild Fork Meat & Seafood Market – Located on Davis Blvd near Precinct Line Rd, this specialty grocer will provide a large selection of affordable, high-quality meats.
• Warespace - Located on Boulevard 26, near City Point Drive, Warespace will be a launching pad for small business start-ups providing business space with shared professional, technical and logistic services.
• B&B Theatres – Located on Davis Blvd in the former Alamo Drafthouse, B&B Theatres hoped to be open already, but encountered supply chain issues while making changes to the concession and restaurant areas. They now expect to open soon after the new year!
• Braum’s – Under construction on Davis Blvd in front of B&B Theatres and on Loop 820 next to Sweetie Pies Ribeyes, Braum’s has also been impacted by supply chain delays with their freezer units. Once the freezers are in place, they will build their stores around them.
• Volli Entertainment – Under construction on Loop 820 in the former Hobby Lobby, Volli Entertainment will provide endless family fun with indoor pickleball, shuffleboard, golf simulators, trampoline park and more.
In other news, TEXRail added new long-term parking options at both the Smithfield and Iron Horse stations. This is a benefit for residents wanting to take the train to DFW Airport.
The Neighborhood Initiative Program completed 44 projects with 2,890 volunteer hours to help residents in need with home and yard maintenance. Each project not only helps a resident in need, it also has a positive impact on neighborhood revitalization!
Our Economic Development Department earned a Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council for its annual development report.
We will share more highlights from 2022 tomorrow, so be sure to check back. #NRH22YIR
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 Post
2023 is only 3 days away! As we count down to the new year, we’re highlighting some of the NRH Parks’ and Library’s top accomplishments in 2022.
North Richland Hills ranked #6 and was the only city in Texas to make Opendoor’s list of 15 Best Cities for Families in 2022!
The Library hosted two New York Times best-selling authors for their Behind the Book Series and five events for their Celebrating Culture Series. A record number of residents also participated in the 2022 Mayor’s Summer Reading Club.
NRH Parks & Recreation added pickleball courts to Richfield Park and utilized a $500,000 grant to make safety improvements to the trail system.
Kemper Sports took over the management of Iron Horse Golf Course. Kemper Sports has been one of the nation’s top golf course management companies for more than 40 years.
With 47 days of 100+° weather, NRH2O Family Water Park was the place to be this summer. The park was recognized by HomeToGo as the most affordable water park in the nation in 2022!
NRH Centre exceeded its operational expectations this year with many camps, classes and programs selling out.
Check back tomorrow for more of our 2022 year in review. #NRH22YIR
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 Post
4 more days until 2023! As we count down to the new year, today we’re recapping the major street improvement projects of 2022.
Dirt finally started moving on the reconstruction of Bedford Euless Road. This project will continue through most of 2023. Businesses along Bedford Euless remain open during construction, so be sure to give them your support!
The long-awaited reconstruction of Glenview Drive is in the utility construction phase. As soon as Atmos is done relocating and improving its pipeline infrastructure along Glenview, roadway reconstruction will get underway.
Engineering design work is wrapping up for the reconstruction of Iron Horse Boulevard, with construction expected to begin in 2023.
The Lariat Trail reconstruction project is also in the engineering design phase, with construction to start in 2023.
On our residential streets, reconstruction of Diamond Loch West Courts, North Hills Drive and Nor’East Drive is complete. Projects to reconstruct Meadow Oak Drive, Pearl Street and Southampton Drive are underway.
A new asphalt surface was also placed on Amundson Drive along with 18 neighborhood streets in 2022 as part of the ongoing Preventive Street Maintenance Program. Funding for the program was increased in 2023, so be on the lookout for more street improvements in the coming year.
A record number of water main breaks during the 100+° heat wave this summer also kept our utility crews very busy. We are thankful for their hard work to keep the city’s water system in good working order.
The Public Works Department also saved money by bringing in-house and streamlining new federally required training for employees to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
We will share more highlights from 2022 tomorrow, so be sure to check back. #NRH22YIR
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 Post
There are only 5 more days until 2023! As we count down to the new year, let’s take a look back at 2022.
Did you know, this year the NRH City Council increased the homestead exemption to the maximum 20% and reduced the property tax rate by 2.4 cents, providing some property tax relief to homeowners? This means your property taxes to the city are based upon only 80% of your home’s appraised value. If you recently purchased a home in NRH, make sure you filed for your homestead exemption. You only need to do it once and the benefit will continue annually as long as you stay in your home. The form is available online at https://www.tad.org/forms/homestead-exemption.php.
The City’s good credit rating was reaffirmed this year by Moody’s and S&P. This means the city receives lower interest rates when borrowing money and additional savings to taxpayers. The Aa2 and AA+ ratings are a reflection of the city’s fiscal responsibility and sound financial management.
The City was also recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. These awards show that we’re following best practices and transparency in budgeting, planning and reporting the City’s finances. Being good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to us is something we take seriously.
Be sure to check in with us tomorrow, as we look back at more accomplishments from 2022.