City’s Proposed Budget Maintains Current Tax Rate
Irving City Council is scheduled to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025-26 (FY26) proposed budget on Sept. 18. The final public hearing on the budget and tax rate is Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Irving City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. The hearing provides residents with the opportunity to share input on the proposed budget before final adoption.
The FY26 proposed budget maintains the current tax rate of $0.5891/$100 taxable value while funding key city operations and maintenance projects. Like all City of Irving budget cycles, the budget is structurally balanced and continues to fund the exceptional services and programs Irving residents enjoy today.
Additional Police and Fire Department Personnel
To
The Irving Police Department is accepting requests for officers or department representatives to stop by National Night Out events. Registration is free.
Learn more and sign up at IrvingTX.gov/NNORegistration
Colinas Blvd.
Community Invited to Help Reimagine Downtown Irving
Downtown Irving is getting a fresh look — and the community is invited to be part of the transformation.
The City of Irving, in collaboration with local nonprofit Better Block, is launching the Downtown Irving Reimagined Project, a community-driven initiative aimed at transforming the heart of downtown to a more vibrant,
pedestrian-friendly enhancements. The work is based on community feedback collected through surveys and outreach efforts over the past year.
Experience Main St.: Oct. 10 & 11
The workshops kick off Experience Main St., a series of events and activities that begin with a weekend celebration on Oct. 10 and 11, where the temporary transformation will be unveiled.
Volunteer Opportunities
Participants are encouraged to take part in a series of hands-on volunteer workshops Oct. 8, 9 and 10 to help create a temporary vision of what the future of Main Street could look like. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Activities include painting, building and other creative placemaking projects that bring together public art, community gathering areas and
The two-day celebration will feature: Pop-up shops and vendor booths
Interactive art
Live music and performances
Outdoor dining and local eats
A chance to walk through and experience the reimagined Main Street firsthand
Experience Main St. will continue through December 2025.
Additional volunteer opportunities are available during the event weekend to assist with event support and clean-up.
The project is part of a larger vision to support downtown revitalization, enhance walkability and make Main Street a more engaging destination for residents, businesses and visitors.
To volunteer, scan the QR code. For more information about the project, visit IrvingTX.gov/Downtown-Reimagined
Events at Irving Arts Center
TICKETED EVENTS
Sept. 5 | Candlelight: Tribute to Arijit Singh
Presented by Fever
6:15 p.m. | $30-$66
Sept. 5 & 28 | Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
Presented by Fever
Sept. 5 | 8:45 p.m. | $30-$68
Sept. 28 | 6:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.| $30-$68
Sept. 7 | Love, Death & Ketchup: Varun Grover Standup
Presented by OHO Productions
6:30 p.m. | $26.50-$33.50
Sept. 21 | Enter D Lafta
Presented by Edo Charles Entertainment
6 p.m. | $32.50-$102.50
A multicultural comedy, music and glamour show.
Sept. 25 | VIVIZ World Tour
Presented by Leo Presents
7 p.m. | $25.23-$172.25
The three-piece K-pop group, VIVIZ, performs live as part of its 2025 World Tour.
Sept. 26 | We Call It Ballet: Sleeping Beauty in a Dazzling Light Show
Presented by Fever
6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. | $36-$71
Experience this classic tale like never before, as dancers take the stage in glow-in-the-dark costumes.
Sept. 26 & 27 | Into the Woods Presented by Irving Youth Theatre (IYT) Times vary | $22.50
The IYT Educational Outreach of Entertainment Series of Irving presents its first full-length musical.
YOUTH & FAMILY EVENTS
Sept. 4 | JumpstART Stories & Art: Hats Off To Fall!
10 a.m. | Free | All Ages September is National Hat Month. Join this free story time and fun hat-making activity!
Sept. 14 | Second Sunday Funday: Exploring Folk Art & Outsider Art + Second Sunday Open Studio for Teens
1 to 4 p.m. | Free | All Ages
Drop in for this fun art-making activity. Find inspiration in the exhibition “Rooted Visions” and transform found objects and ordinary materials into works of art.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Oct. 4 | 6th Annual Volunteer Fair!
2 to 4 p.m. | Free | All Ages
Looking for a way to get involved and give back to your community? Connect with representatives from 40+ local organizations and nonprofits.
Oct. 5 | Sip, Snack & Create: A Toast to Teachers!
1 to 4 p.m. | Free for Educators | Ages 21 and older Educators are invited to enjoy brunch bites, mimosas, gallery tours and artmaking while exploring the exhibition "Rooted Visions." Registration required.
Irving Archives & Museum Events & Happenings
SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Through Sept. 28 | Badge of Pride: From Silence… To Celebration!
This landmark exhibit offers one of the first and most comprehensive artifactdriven explorations of LGBTQ+ history in Texas.
SECOND SATURDAYS
Enjoy Second Saturday with free admission and activities for everyone at the Irving Archives and Museum (IAM).
IRVING ARCHIVES AND MUSEUM
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $7, Ages 4-12 $5
Thanks to a generous community sponsor, admission to the Irving Archives and Museum is FREE through Sept. 28!
COMING SOON TO IAM
Two Photography Exhibitions by Jeanine Michna-Bales
Opens Oct. 18 | Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad Photographer Jeanine Michna-Bales spent over a decade researching the Underground Railroad. Her exhibition features 48 photographs documenting a 2,000-mile route based on real sites, cities and places passed through by freedom-seekers.
Opens Oct. 18 | Standing Together: Inez Milholland’s Final Campaign for Women’s Suffrage
This exhibition draws from Jeanine Michna-Bales’ book "Standing Together: Inez Milholland’s Final Campaign for Women’s Suffrage (2016–2020)." Through photographs, landscapes, reenactments and archival materials, she retraces Milholland’s grueling 1916 campaign across the American West, capturing the monumental effort that led to the 19th Amendment.
KIB SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR SEPT. 27 ANNUAL TRASH BASH
Keep Irving Beautiful (KIB) will host the 34th annual Trash Bash on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at T.W. Richardson Grove Park, 333 E. Interstate Highway 635. Volunteers will focus on cleaning the northern Campion Trail area to prevent litter from reaching the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The event coincides with National Public Lands Day and is part of Keep Texas Beautiful’s “Fall Sweep.”
KIB will provide litter pickers, gloves and bags for trash and recycling. After the cleanup, volunteers can enjoy educational exhibits and a provided lunch, including a vegetarian option.
Participants are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations for Crisis Ministries of Irving food pantry. Donors will receive a T-shirt while supplies last.
For those who prefer a virtual option, volunteers can clean up a safe Irving location of their choice and share results using the hashtag #IrvingTrashBash2025.
Registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 19. Visit IrvingTX.gov/KIB or call (972) 721-2175 for more information and to register.
IN THE GALLERIES
Free to view. Open Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. No advance reservation needed. Free guided tours are offered on the first Saturday and second Sunday of each month at 2 p.m.
We’ve Been Framed: IDAC Volunteer Art Showcase Through Sept. 27 | Courtyard Gallery
Features artwork created by those who volunteer their time working alongside the City of Irving’s Department of Arts and Culture.
Rooted Visions Through Oct. 18 | Main Gallery
Showcase of 25 self-taught Southern Black artists, who have redefined artistic expression with their innovative use of found objects and everyday materials. Artists such as Mose Tolliver, Hawkins Bolden and Bessie Harvey explore themes of resilience, storytelling and the transformative power of creativity.
TICKETED EVENTS
De Profundis: Echoes from the Deep (Paintings by Giselle Castro-Brightenburg) Through Oct. 25 | Carpenter Lobby Gallery Castro-Brightenburg’s work is a celebration of the natural world, focusing on its myriad shapes, colors and the intricate relationships within it. The artist draws inspiration from sea anemones, creatures with a dual nature — both inveterate animals and flower-like beings. She captures the juxtaposition of beauty and predatory instinct, exploring concepts which blur the line between what they are and what they seem to be.
Reception: Sept. 19 | 6 to 8 p.m.
Beauty is Not Always Pretty: Recent Photographs & Prints by Bill Thompson Through Nov. 29 | Dupree Lobby Gallery
Details of old railroad cars and the variegated, husk-covered surface of palm trees are the focus of approximately 30 photographs and screen prints included in the exhibition. For Thompson, who sees his primary journey as an artist as one focused on the subjects found in his everyday surroundings, these objects are metaphors that celebrate purpose and reveal themes of sacrifice and redemption. Reception: Sept.19 | 6 to 8 p.m.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities with local non-profits on Oct. 4 at the annual volunteer fair.
SCAN ME
SCAN ME
On Sept. 26, Fever presents We Call it Ballet: Sleeping Beauty in a Dazzling Light Show.
For Arvo Part, Oil on Canvas by Giselle Castro-Brightenburg
Fall Activities Around Irving
The Irving Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Activities Brochure is now available! It provides information on how to schedule, sign up and register for the upcoming camps, classes, programs and activities available through December. The guide includes schedules by age groups and information for all Irving recreation centers. Pick up the Fall 2025 Brochure at any recreation center or view online at IrvingTX.gov/Parks-Classes-Programs Search Facebook for @IrvingParksandRec and “Like” the page to stay up-to-date with what is going on in Irving Parks and Recreation — events, programs, schedules and more. Visit IrvingTX.gov/Parks for more information.
Parks & Recreation Center Activities
Cimarron Park Recreation Center
201 Red River Trail, (972) 910-0702
Sept. 26 | Paints & Pastries
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Ages 18 and older | $10 per person Unwind with an evening of painting, pastries and creativity. Register by Sept. 19.
Georgia Farrow Recreation Center
530 W. Davis Drive, (972) 721-2519
Sept. 6 | Neighborhood Parking Lot Sale
8 a.m. to noon | All Ages | $10 per 10x10 spot Turn trash into cash. Call to register.
Heritage Senior Center
200 S. Jefferson St., (972) 721-2496
Sept. 6 | Dallas Women's Expo
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Ages 50 and older | $5 The ultimate experience for women, combining the best in shopping, speakers, makeovers and rejuvenation.
Sept. 18 | Name That Tune Bingo
6 to 8 p.m. | Ages 50 and older | $2 Guess the song, mark the card and win! Bring a snack to share.
Lively Pointe Youth Center
909 N. O’Connor Road, (972) 721-8090
Sept. 4 & 18 | IYAC Meeting
6:30 to 8 p.m. | Ages 11-17 | IPAR Card
Join Irving Youth Action Council (IYAC) this year.
Sept. 13 | Babysitter Training Course (Red Cross Certified)
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Ages 12 and older | $65
Learn childcare basics, first aid and emergency response — earn a two-year Red Cross certification. Register by Sept. 12. For details, call (972) 721-7310.
Mustang Park Recreation Center
2223 Kinwest Parkway, (972) 556-1334
Sept. 8-13 | 9/11 Climb Challenge
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Ages 18 and older | IPAR Card
In honor of the 343 first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, join in remembering them by participating in the 110-floor challenge on the stair master. The first 15 sign-ups will receive a commemorative T-shirt upon completion.
Sept. 19 | Badminton Bonanza
6 to 9 p.m. | Ages 18 and older | IPAR Card
Join this Friday night fun! Players of all levels are welcome to enjoy the event. Bring your own racquets and birdies. No registration required.
Thursdays | Super Soccer Stars
10 to 11:45 a.m. | Ages 18 months-5 years | $72/mo.
A skill development program that uses soccer to build self-confidence, improve physical literacy, enhance gross motor skills and promote socialization. To register, call (469) 756-5901.
Irving Parks and Recreation offers activities for all ages year-round. Register in person, at a local recreation center or online at IrvingTX.gov/IrvingRec
INDOOR AQUATIC
Library Card Sign-Up Month + Programs
The Perks of Being a Library Cardholder
Discover the value of an Irving Public Library account during National Library Card Sign-Up Month in September. Cardholders gain free access to an extensive collection of print, audio, visual and digital materials, along with technological tools and Little STEAMers backpacks, book club kits and Playaways portable audio devices. Library card privileges also provide students and jobseekers with helpful online resources, including Brainfuse online tutoring and LinkedIn Learning classes.
Library cards are available in a variety of designs at all library locations, outreach community events and online.
Also in September, the Library "Heart" Local program offers food for thought by rewarding diners with discounts and specials when they show their library card at participating area restaurants.
Local eateries include:
Bruno’s Ristorante, 9462 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Joe’s Coffee Shop, 425 W. Irving Blvd.
Lennys Grill & Subs, 3401 W. Airport Freeway
Milkshakes & More, 925 W. John Carpenter Freeway
New York Pizza Pasta & Subs, 10009 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Pax & Beneficia - Las Colinas, 5244 N O'Connor Blvd.
Rey’s Restaurant & Bar, 2836 N. O’Connor Road
Sultani Grill & Burgers, 2851 Esters Road
Tio Carlos Mex-Latin Grill, 2742 N. O’Connor Road
For a full lineup of participating dining spots and discounts, visit IrvingTX.gov/Library
A Swap for All Seasons
From cornucopias to clovers, jingle bells to jack-olanterns, brighten up the seasons ahead with a décor exchange. South Irving Library hosts the Holiday Home Décor Swap from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 27, when community members can pick up donated and gently used decorations for a variety of seasonal celebrations.
Did you know there are three Makerspace locations in the community? The Irving Public Library hosts a variety of machines and technology for cardholders to use in each of
out for a two-hour loan period.
Visit IrvingTX.gov/miy-zones for more information including locations, hours and calendar.
SCAN ME
Solid
Shredding
NOW ACCEPTING BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATIONS
Residents interested in serving on a board or commission can apply at OnBoard.IrvingTX.gov/ Application.
Qualified applicants must be a resident of the City of Irving and a registered voter in the city for at least one year immediately prior to the date of their appointment.
The deadline to apply for November board appointments is Friday, Sept. 12. For more information, call (972) 721-2493.
Below is a list of boards and commissions:
Advisory Committee on Disabilities
Animal Services Advisory Committee
Arts Board
Board of Health
Building and Standards Commission
Civil Service Commission
Construction Board of Appeals
Convention and Visitors Bureau Board
Green Advisory Board
Housing and Human Services Board
Library Board
Parks and Recreation Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board, No. 1
Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals
For board description, qualifications and meeting frequency, visit IrvingTX.gov/ City-Secretary and select “Boards and Commissions.”
MacArthur Boulevard Reconstruction Project Concludes This Fall
Construction wraps up fall 2025 on the MacArthur Boulevard Reconstruction Project between Metker Street and Byron Nelson Way. In addition to the complete reconstruction of the roadway, upgrades include improvements to the drainage, water and wastewater infrastructure.
Funded primarily through existing bond funds, the $28.7 million reconstruction project is a lasting investment in reducing congestion and improving driving conditions for Irving motorists.
For
New Elevated Water Storage Tank on Esters Road
Work begins this fall on the Esters elevated storage tank replacement project. The new tank will increase water storage capacity by 1 million gallons to support population growth in southwest Irving.
The existing 1.5 million-gallon Esters tank, located behind the West Irving Library in the Police and Fire Training Facility parking lot, was built in 1985 and was last rehabilitated in 2010. Building the new 2.5 milliongallon tank eliminates the need to invest in maintenance and repair of the existing tank while providing the additional storage required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to meet future water demands.
The new water tank will be constructed at 2601 Esters Road. Once complete, the old tank will be demolished, and the area will be paved over to expand parking at the Irving Police and Fire Training Facility.
The $14 million replacement project is funded through the Water and Wastewater System bond fund and is expected to be complete in summer 2027. For more information on the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives, visit IrvingTX.gov/IrvingInvests
Conflans Road Extension Now Open
After two years of construction, motorists can now travel across the new extension of Conflans Road between Valley View Lane and State Highway 161. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in late August to celebrate the project’s public opening.
Conflans Road Extension Project Scope
Construct 1,607-foot-long bridge across the Bear Creek flood plain
Construct 956-foot-long, four-lane divided thoroughfare (Valley View to bridge)
Construct 1,351-foot-long eastbound half of Conflans Road (bridge to SH 161)
Construct 12-foot-wide shared-use pedestrian path along the south side of the right-of-way
Construct new water, wastewater and storm sewer infrastructure
Raise two Oncor high-voltage transmission lines by 40 feet
Multi-Agency Coordination
The nearly $43 million project was completed using city and federal funds and involved significant engineering and construction challenges for the four-lane divided thoroughfare across the Bear Creek flood plain. Design and construction activities for the project required extensive coordination with several major agencies that included: the Army Corps of Engineers, Texas Department of Transportation, Dallas County Flood Control District No. 1, Oncor Electric Delivery Co., Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Trinity River Authority, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
This milestone infrastructure project represents the completion of the last remaining and most complex section of Conflans Road, a major collector on the City’s Master Thoroughfare Plan.
For more information on the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives, visit IrvingTX.gov/IrvingInvests
Artist Rendering
Ribbon-cutting Ceremony