To: Residents living near the Math/Science/Technology Elementary School

From: The Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association

Subject: Proposed Bond

Attention Neighbors!

The Richardson City Council is proposing a bond that includes a proposal for adding a $1.4 million dollar 7,000 sq.ft. gym and a parking lot to the existing gym at MST and surrounding field, in order to relocate the Heights Gymnastics Program to this location.

According to the city, the gymnastics program is “monopolizing” the current location on Arapaho and the city is looking for a new location in which to operate the gymnastics program. This facility which is utilized by many residents in Richardson is considered a positive attribute of the City of Richardson; however, having it located on Highland Blvd. adjacent to the elementary school, will not be positive for our neighborhood. Here are just a few of the concerns that residents have identified:

• Public facility located in the middle of an existing neighborhood adjacent to an elementary school. It should be relocated to a more commercial area that is able to handle the amount of traffic and people it will attract.
• Increased traffic adding to an already existing speeding problem on Highland Blvd., Grove Rd., and Abrams Rd. along with Frances Way, Pittman, and Polk Rd.
• Increased safety issue for students and pedestrians. There is only one crosswalk in front of the school and there is no sidewalk on a portion of the south side of Highland Blvd. 
• Increased traffic may eventually force the city to enlarge Abrams and open up Grove at Centennial. 
• The facility will be open Mon.-Sat. from 9am-9pm and will host gymnastics meets. This will cause increased parking on the roads and more people traveling throughout our neighborhood. 

The City is planning on having an informational meeting at the MST but the date has not been scheduled yet. Check back here for a date, but in the meantime, for more information please contact David Morgan, Assistant City Manager, Neighborhood Services, 972-744-4202.

Our neighborhood has a voice.

Let’s hear what the city leaders have to say to us and come prepared to tell them what we feel is best for our neighborhood!