A new performance and music building at the University of Texas at Dallas is nearing completion after receiving a $10 million gift from the Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation.

The overview: The center will contain a 680-seat concert hall, which is now set to be named the Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation Concert Hall, according to a news release from the university. The facility will open in spring 2027.

Some context: The performance hall and music building is phase two of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum project to establish a 12-acre arts and culture district on campus.

Quote of note: “We envisioned so much that can come from this project, not just for UT Dallas, but for Richardson, for Dallas and for North Texas in general,” Bass Foundation trustee Michael Calhoun said in the release. “From a musical and performance perspective, this facility has the capability to reach youth, expose them to new ideas, and help them learn and thrive.”

From a new Asian buffet to the latest location for a salad-in-baguette concept, check out the latest on 15 businesses in Richardson.

Now open

Ajeena Mediterranean Café & Bakery

Owner Abdul Rahman said the café is rooted in Palestinian and Lebanese heritage and will offer a mix of traditional and modern Mediterranean cuisine, including sweet and savory baked goods.

The name “Ajeena” means dough, Rahman said in an email, and the café’s menu includes puff pastries and rolls, as well as lattes and matcha drinks.

“Beyond its food, Ajeena emphasizes community and hospitality, aiming to create a welcoming space where guests can gather and connect,” Rahman said.

• Opened Oct. 17

• 515 W. Campbell Road, Ste. 109, Richardson

• www.ajeenabakery.com 

Bread Zeppelin

The chain restaurant is known for its "Zeppelin," a hollowed-out baguette filled with salads, housemade dressings and proteins. Guests can also order Zeppelins as a bowl, soups, bread pudding and more.

The new Richardson location is the 12th in North Texas.

• Opened Sept. 30

• 1920 N. Coit Road, Ste. 201, Richardson

• www.breadzeppelin.com 

At the close of the first week of early voting on Oct. 25, 358,751 voters had cast their ballots at polling locations in Dallas County, county documents show.

What to know: About 23.96% of the county’s nearly 1.5 million registered voters have turned out for the midterm election as of Oct. 25, according to the Dallas County Elections Department. Additionally, 16,279 voters cast ballots by mail from Oct. 19-24, county documents show.

In 2022, Dallas County had 391,328 people participate in early voting, according to county documents.

What else: Early voting continues through Oct. 30, with polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Voters can cast ballots at any of the county’s 84 early voting locations.

On Election Day Nov. 3, voters will be able to cast their ballots at 444 locations across Dallas County.

At the close of the first week of early voting on Oct. 25, 214,745 voters had cast their ballots at polling locations in Collin County, county documents show.

Latest update: About 26.9% of the county’s registered voters have turned out for the midterm election as of Oct. 25, according to the Collin County Elections Office. The county has 799,130 registered voters, a representative of the Collin County Elections Office confirmed.

Also of note: The busiest polling locations during early voting so far have been McKinney’s John and Judy Gay Library, Plano’s Davis Library and Allen Public Library.

See five transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Upcoming projects

1. Loop 288 frontage road construction

Project: The Texas Department of Transportation is planning to construct frontage roads on Loop 288 in Denton County with grade separations and an improved connector to US 380. The project would span from I-35 to US 380 east of Geesling Road.

Update: TxDOT has yet to raise the necessary funds for the recently announced billion-dollar cost. TxDOT is still working with Denton County and the contracting firm to finalize schematics and plan the project’s timeline.

• Timeline: finalized schematic expected December 2026

• Cost: $1.3 billion

• Funding sources: TxDOT, Denton County

2. US 81 improvements

Project: TxDOT and the city of Fort Worth will reconstruct frontage roads and make intersection improvements along US 81 from I-35W to Harmon Road.

Update: Fort Worth City Council approved an advance funding agreement with TxDOT for $3.75 million for water main relocation as part of the project at a Sept. 29 meeting.

• Timeline: estimated completion January 2028

• Cost: $75.9 million

• Funding sources: TxDOT, city of Fort Worth