City of University Park            January 2018
Welcome to UPdate .  This mid-month publication provides residents with timely information about upcoming City projects, programs and events. You can sign up for things too.    
Road Construction/Traffic Advisories
Excavation Work - Increased Truck Traffic near Snider Plaza
 
Truck traffic has increased at the southern edge of Snider Plaza. The truck traffic is part of excavation work for the Park Plaza development on the corner of Hillcrest and Daniel. This activity will involve inbound and outbound truck traffic on Hillcrest, Daniel and Haynie. Site excavation is expected to take several weeks. Throughout this activity flagmen will always be present to guide trucks in and out of the construction site. 
Portion of Dickens will soon close to northbound traffic
Rogers-O'Brien is continuing its work to relocate and replace existing utilities. Beginning next week, the work area will move from Haynie to Dickens. When that occurs, the northbound lane of Dickens will be closed to traffic from Daniel to Haynie (see map). This closure will not impact southbound traffic on Dickens. Weather permitting, it's anticipated the northbound lane of Dickens will be closed for approximately three weeks.  

Motorists should stay aware of signage and detours as they change with the flow of progress. The City will assist Rogers-O'Brien by posting specifics on how each phase of the work will impact traffic and parking in the area. If you are not following the City on social media, now would be a good time to start. Click on the tab below to look at offerings. 
 
The Park Plaza development involves the construction of a mixed-use development, featuring office space, retail shops and restaurants at the corner of Hillcrest and Daniel.  The Park Plaza development is slated for completion in spring 2019.
Parks and Recreation Department
Holmes Aquatic Center renovations

Improvements are well underway at the Holmes Aquatic Center.  As you can see, the new building, located on the northeast side of the complex is beginning to take shape. That building wi ll house an updated concessions area, family-style restrooms and meeting rooms. The project also involves new pump equipment for the children's sprayground. The project is scheduled to be complete in time for the 2018 pool season. 

Curtis Park's tennis courts, play areas and other amenities will remain open throughout the project.
UP Public Library
UP @ the Library Family Time - Saturday, January 27

It's been five years since we opened the new library in its Plaza at Preston Center location, and we would like you to celebrate with us during an afternoon filled with fun!






  • Make a fun bookmark | 1:30 p.m. 
  • Get a glitter tattoo 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 
  • Watch a juggler and eat cake | 2:00 p.m. 
  • Enjoy a lively concert with recording artist Lizza Connor | 3:00 p.m.

Sponsors:

This family-friendly anniversary celebration is generously sponsored by Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman and Associates.
UPPL Friends special lecture series starts tomorrow

Look who’s turning 5! It's been nearly five years since UP Public Library moved to the Plaza at Preston Center. In celebration, the Friends of UPPL will kick-off 2018 with a special lecture series. All the lectures will be held in the library’s 3rd floor community room from 7 to 8 p.m. 

Mark your calendar and join us Tuesdays and Thursdays, on January 16, 18, 23, 25
 
  • January 16 - Making Sense of New Media – Reid Slaughter, journalist
  • January 18 - Pet Health and Parenting - Dr. John Vandermeer, Highland Park Animal Hospital & Melissa Anderson with dog, Skinny Vinnie
  • January 23 - Privacy in a Public World - Ashley Cook, CEO/Founder ZOCCAM 
  • January 25 - And the Oscar Goes to… - Libby Hunt, movie reviewer
The Friends are offering one amazing price for all 4 speakers - $20. 
Where to get tickets
Series tickets are available at these library supporters: Suzanne Roberts Gifts, Kid Biz and Lucky Dog Barkery or UP Public Library. You can also purchase tickets at the library.  
This lectures series is underwritten by Kathy Myers and Lacy Schultz - Dave Perry Miller Real Estate
Story in the Park - January 20, 10 a.m. to noon

On Saturday, January 20 the tree-lined paths of Caruth Park (7801 Hillcrest) will feature a display of pages from the children's book, The Mitten . Kids can read the pages at their own pace and join us for a winter-themed craft and snack. 

The event is free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. If it's rainy or too cold, the event will move inside to the UP Public Library (8383 Preston Center Plaza).   
Community Outreach


Community Survey coming in March

Next month, residents will once again be asked to provide the City with feedback on its services, programs and communications. Households will receive the survey in that month’s utility bill. A self-addressed postage paid envelope will be included with each survey. For those who prefer to participate electronically, each printed survey will have a unique number on the front. To gain online access, participants will go to a secured link and type in that number. Whether you reply using the printed survey or you participate online, department-by-department content will be the same. Both formats will provide residents with the opportunity to include expanded written comments. Once the results are tabulated, we will report back to the community using the Arbor, UPdate and other outreach platforms.
City's Social Media
If an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Show, was under your Christmas tree, here is something to keep in mind. These devices and similar products from Google and Apple provide you with another convenient way to get City news and information without logging on to a computer or making a phone call.

The service is called Community Connect. It provides you with general community news and events, road closure information and emergency alerts. Community Connect also lets you listen to articles from the City's monthly newsletter, and acquire basic City information including hours, address and phone numbers for City Hall, the Peek Service Center, UP Public Library and the Holmes Aquatic Center.

To use Community Connect, just add the free skill to your Alexa app. Asking Alexa to provide you with information about University Park is easy. Use these specific prompts:
Alexa, ask My University Park what's in the news? 
Alexa, ask My University Park what are the events?
Alexa, ask My University Park for road closures.
Alexa, ask My University Park to read The Arbor.
Alexa, ask My University Park for building hours.
Community Events

Champions Parade and festivities at Goar Park

Thanks for watching the parade and coming to the festivities in Goar Park last Saturday.  All the fun was the perfect way to celebrate our Scots and their back-to-back 5-A football and tennis championships. Let's go for a 3-peat!
Upcoming City Meetings & Events