Esperanza Community Center at Dobie is now providing social and medical services in Richardson ISD’s former Dobie Pre-Kindergarten School.

The overview: The center, which officially opened Oct. 15, houses a senior center, food pantry, medical clinics, childcare and other resources.

How we got here: RISD closed Dobie Pre-K ahead of the 2025-26 school year as part of Project RightSize, which aimed to reduce the district’s budget shortfall. After Dobie closed, Andy Sommerman, Dallas County commissioner for District 2, directed $4 million in Economic and Community Development funding to create the resource center. The center’s purpose is to provide care from “womb to tomb” for the surrounding Esperanza neighborhood, he said.

Quote of note: “This neighborhood is one of the most vibrant communities in Dallas with huge, huge potential,” said Jaynie Schultz, a former Dallas City Council member. “Done well, we can help thousands of young people build strong and healthy futures.”

Pilates studio inLIFE Wellness is now open near the Richardson border.

InLIFE Pilates began in Australia and has expanded to the United States with locations across North Texas.

A closer look: InLIFE also offers a blend of reformer and fusion Pilates classes, including classes focused on strength, cardio and yoga. The new location is inLIFE’s first infrared studio in the United States, using heat panels to relax muscles and support circulation, co-owner Jo Scott said.

Scott said she sees all kinds of people at inLIFE classes, from Pilates experts to individuals who have never exercised before.

Quote of note: “Something about inLIFE makes people feel like it’s a safe space where they can come and try something new,” Scott said. “We’re getting people to move their bodies and to create a healthy habit that have never felt comfortable to step into a gym.”

• 7517 Campbell Road, Ste. 605, Dallas

Bibliobar celebrated its new location at its grand opening event Oct. 17.

The details: The locally owned downtown Plano bookstore, Bibliobar, has reopened in its larger space. The new location offers a larger and more diverse selection of books, including a children's section, stationary, games and gifts, according to a news release.

• 1024 E. 15th St., Plano

Check out five upcoming, ongoing and completed transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Upcoming projects

1. John Hickman Parkway construction

Project: John Hickman Parkway in Frisco will be constructed from Dallas North Tollway to Parkwood Boulevard. The project borders The Mix at the corner of Lebanon Road and Dallas North Tollway.

Update: The project is in the design phase and project details are not yet available.

• Timeline: early 2027-mid 2028

• Cost: $7.5 million

• Funding source: city of Frisco

Ongoing projects

2. Eldorado Parkway and Virginia Parkway rehabilitation

Project: Reconstruction of failing concrete panels and broken curbs will occur in McKinney along Eldorado Parkway between Ridge Road and US 75 and along Virginia Parkway between Stonebridge Drive and US 75.

Update: Work on Eldorado Parkway is complete. Work continues on Virginia Parkway between Lake Forest Drive and Hardin Boulevard. Any remaining work on Virginia Parkway between Hardin Boulevard and US 75 will be completed in summer 2027 after the project is rebid.

• Timeline: June 2025-October 2026

• Cost: $10.8 million

• Funding source: city of McKinney

The University of North Texas will open its brand-new science and technology building in the spring after breaking ground in August 2024. Officials hosted a tour of the nearly complete facility Oct 9.

The collaborative space and research facility is for UNT’s growing biomedical engineering, life sciences, chemistry, kinesiology, psychology and data science research footprints on its Denton campus, according to the university website.

Two-minute impact: The four-story, 110,000-square-foot building is located at the southwest corner of West Mulberry Street and Avenue C in Denton.

The project was funded by $103.4 million in tuition revenue bonds authorized by the 87th Texas Legislature in 2021, according to UNT’s website.

Looking ahead: The official spring opening date for the research building has not been announced yet, said Amanda Lyons, assistant director of media relations at UNT.

She added that a ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur in early 2027.