Richardson ISD school board unanimously approved $486.7 million for the district’s six middle school transformation projects at the May 7 meeting.

The big picture: RISD’s middle school transformation, which transitions sixth graders from elementary to junior high campuses, includes the construction of four new middle school campuses and two renovations and additions to junior highs. The funds come from the 2025 bond package that Richardson ISD voters approved in November.

Breaking it down: The approved funds include the majority of building components for Liberty, Parkhill, Westwood and Richardson North middle schools, but only the first phase of construction at Richardson West Middle School and the second phase at Apollo Middle School.

Over the next two years, new campuses for Liberty, Parkhill, Richardson West and Westwood will be constructed, while Apollo and Richardson North are set to receive additions and renovations to their existing buildings.

What's next: Construction is set to begin in June and all six middle schools expected to be complete in August 2028

A three-story, mixed-use commercial building is under development on Richardson’s Main Street, owner Mohammad Asmar confirmed in an email.

The details: The building will contain 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space. Specific businesses have not been finalized, but Asmar said he aims to bring a “thoughtful mix of high-quality dining and retail concepts” to the building.

“Richardson has been an integral part of my journey, and I am honored to contribute to its continued growth and revitalization,” Asmar said. “I firmly believe this development will play a meaningful role in shaping the future character of downtown Richardson.”

What’s next: Demolition began earlier in April, and Asmar said construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

• 100 E. Main Street, Richardson

The last Spirit Airlines flight landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on May 2.

The next day, the airline posted that it would cease operations.

According to a Texas Workforce Commission filing, more than 900 employees in Texas were laid off, including 444 at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The other layoffs happened at Houston’s George Bush International Airport. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act filing shows 119 pilots, 246 flight attendants and 79 additional employees were let go.

According to FlightRadar.com, the last flight went from Detroit Metro Airport to DFW Airport, landing at 12:09 a.m. on May 2.  

Quote of note: “Our heart goes out to the thousands of men and women who have had their careers impacted by this bankruptcy,” said Chris McLaughlin, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport CEO, during the DFW Airport Board meeting May 7.

See what’s happening with ongoing or upcoming road projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Collin County
Coit Road
Project: Coit Road in Prosper will transition into six lanes. Currently, construction crews are working to expand the road to four lanes and prepare infrastructure including utilities and sidewalks for future expansion.
Update: Phase 2 has been delayed and will start at the end of the year. Phase 1 of the project, which covers Coit Road from First Street to Prosper Trail, is on track to wrap up this fall.

• Timeline: Phase 2 to start at the end of the year
• Cost: $24 million
• Funding source: town of Prosper, Collin County

• Timeline: expected to finish in late summer, early fall
• Cost: $22 million
• Funding source: city of Fort Worth