Number 268, January 2026

Mayor Stewart looks ahead to 2026

Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026



As the year comes to a close, my family and I join so many of you in reflecting on the accomplishments of 2025 and embracing the optimism that comes with a new year. The past twelve months have been highlighted by progress and sustainability, ensuring our community is equipped for generations to come. As we look ahead to 2026, I am excited about the opportunities and improvements on the horizon.

While we made meaningful progress this year, it was also a difficult time for our community following the July 4 flooding in Kerr County. The outpouring of kindness and support from our neighbors was a powerful reminder of the strength and care that connect us. Our thoughts remain with those affected.

Snider Plaza Improvements

After years of planning and preparation, 2025 marked the completion of the Snider Plaza Improvements Project. The project delivered major upgrades to aging infrastructure, including new pavement, a new fountain, sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping, representing a significant investment in the long-term vitality of this beloved community space. Throughout construction, the City shared regular updates through its website and social media channels to keep residents, merchants, and visitors informed on progress and key milestones.

With the physical improvements now complete, the City is turning its focus to long-term management of the Plaza to ensure it remains safe, functional, and sustainable for years to come. This includes implementing new regulations and policies related to deliveries and sidewalk usage, which are intended to preserve safe, accessible public spaces and protect the investment made in the Plaza’s infrastructure.

Fondren Building



In 2023, the City purchased the property at 5620 Fondren, adjacent to the City’s water tower, to serve as the future home of a new public safety facility. The building will primarily support indoor firearms training and evidence storage, along with a dedicated training room.

Construction began in 2025, and is expected to be completed in February 2026. This state-of-the-art space will be an important investment in public safety, and we look forward to seeing the Police Department begin using this new facility in the coming months.

Miracle Mile Reconstruction

Significant progress continues on the Miracle Mile Improvements Project, which officially began in May and is well underway. Work to date has included major upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure, along with the realignment of the Lovers/Douglas intersection, new pavement in Lovers Lane, and new sidewalks and pavement in the 4300 and 4400 north blocks of Lovers. Construction is expected to continue through summer 2026.

This project spans Lovers Lane from Lomo Alto to Douglas and includes utility upgrades, traffic signal improvements, landscaping, and other enhancements designed to improve safety and functionality of this major thoroughfare, in addition to adding parking spaces. The City is partnering with Dallas County and DART, which are funding more than half of the project, and these efforts are laying the groundwork for a long-term investment that will benefit the area for generations to come.

Park Improvements

In 2026, the City will continue prioritizing investments in our parks to enhance community gathering spaces across University Park. At Centennial Park, the Creekside Terrace improvements are now complete, marking an important milestone in the park’s ongoing transformation. Looking ahead, 2026 will include construction of new restroom facilities and the placement of Centennial bricks, further enhancing the park experience for visitors. Meanwhile, construction of the new Burleson Park playground is wrapping up, bringing a modern, engaging play space designed with safety, creativity, and accessibility in mind.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement. Together, we will continue to make University Park a vibrant and thriving place to live, work, and connect.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year!

City announces 2025 Employees of the Year

Courtney Peterson - Library

Courtney has been with the City since 2022 as a Circulation Assistant with the UP Public Library. She is described as a dedicated and positive member of the team who consistently goes above and beyond. She is always willing to help wherever needed and brings a kind, team-first attitude to everything she does. From creating engaging book displays and planning programs for all ages to supporting the Employee Committee, Courtney’s creativity and attention to detail shine through in her work.

Known as the team’s “birthday queen” and biggest encourager, Courtney helps make everyone feel valued. She also provides exceptional customer service, greeting patrons by name, remembering their reading preferences, and making every visitor feel welcome. 

Pat Brignon - Infrastructure Maintenance

A maintenance technician with more than 30 years of service to the City, Pat is reliable, maintains a positive attitude in daily operations, and is always ready to help coworkers and residents without hesitation. Pat takes great pride in ensuring street repairs are completed safely and efficiently, while also keeping equipment, including the asphalt truck, clean and well maintained. His coworkers say, "Throughout his long tenure, he consistently demonstrates and exemplifies what it means to serve others."

In recognition of their service, our two Gold Award Employees of the Year will receive a cash award from the University Park Community League. Congratulations also to our Silver Award winners!

Silver Award Honorees

• Jared Karr - Fire
• Erasmo Garcia - Municipal Court
• Curtis Fortner - Police
• Darrin Carter - Infrastructure Maintenance
• Octavio Villa - Infrastructure Maintenance

Help shape University Park's ADA Transition Plan

The City of University Park is working with Kimley-Horn to develop an ADA Transition Plan. ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a law that ensures people with disabilities have access to public spaces and services.

An ADA Transition Plan is a roadmap that helps communities meet these legal requirements and ensure that their public rights-of-way, city-maintained facilities, and parks are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Over the last several months, our consultant has been focused on data collection, and you may have seen team members in the field using various tools to document current conditions. The next phase of the project involves engaging the community to gain feedback on how to best prioritize safety improvements for the City.

How You Can Participate



We’re asking residents and stakeholders to share their input and help identify problem areas by visiting the City’s project website. Once there, you’ll be able take a short online survey to share your experiences and concerns. There is also an interactive map tool to identify specific locations where improvements are needed. 

We’re also encouraging residents to stay informed of project updates by making sure you are registered to receive the City’s newsletters.

Community input will help guide the City’s priorities as we plan future accessibility improvements. Thank you for being part of this collective effort to ensure our community is accessible and welcoming for all!

Tree Education: Pruning techniques

Winter is one of the best times of year to prune many types of trees. With leaves gone and growth temporarily dormant, it’s easier to see a tree’s structure and make clean, intentional cuts that support long-term health.

Proper winter pruning helps remove dead or damaged branches, improves airflow, and encourages strong growth in the spring. It can also reduce the risk of falling limbs during storms and help maintain safe clearance over sidewalks, streets, and structures.

When pruning, avoid excessive cutting and never “top” a tree, which can weaken its structure and lead to long-term damage. Use clean, sharp tools, make cuts just outside the branch collar, and focus on removing crossing, broken, or diseased limbs. For larger trees or work near power lines, residents are encouraged to hire a certified arborist.

A little thoughtful pruning during the winter months can go a long way toward keeping our urban forest healthy, safe, and beautiful year-round!

Last month, while his elves remained at the North Pole to prepare his sleigh for the big night, Santa Claus toured the streets of University Park in UPFD's Chevy Tahoe. Residents were able to track Santa’s nightly progress through the neighborhoods using our new and improved Santa Tracker. Over five nights, the Santa Tracker logged more than 7,850 hits. Saying that red is his favorite color, Santa commented that he enjoyed traveling through UP in his new ride this year!

4500 block of Miracle Mile construction to begin

Weather permitting, crews are expected to move into the north side of the 4500 block of Lovers Lane during the week of January 5. The north side of the 4500 block of Lovers Lane will be closed to all vehicular traffic for the duration of this work. See below map for traffic pattern during this phase, which is expected to take 4 to 6 weeks, weather permitting. 

Traffic control devices will be in place to help vehicular traffic and pedestrians travel through the area safely. The sidewalks immediately adjacent to the buildings will be open for access to all businesses while the work on the parking area is taking place. Later in this phase, crews will begin demo on the sidewalks adjacent to the buildings, but access to business doors will always be available during business hours.

Golf cart shuttle hours update

As of January 5, shuttle hours will be from 8 to 11 a.m. in the morning and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the evening, Monday through Saturday. The shuttle offers door-to-door service for any business along Lovers Lane between Douglas and Dallas North Tollway. If you can’t find parking in front of the business you are visiting, use the public parking spots at the Scotland Yard baseball field or at Lot 4141 on Lovers Lane, then call or text 469-515-4701 to request a ride. Take advantage of this convenient option and come support our local businesses! Reminder, all businesses are OPEN during construction!

Don’t forget to recycle your Christmas tree! The Sanitation Division will pick up discarded trees on scheduled collection days from front curbsides. Before setting your tree out for collection, remove the tree’s stand and all ornaments, lights, tinsel and plastic. The City composts clean trees, but can only do that if they are free of all decorations. If you live south of Lovers Lane collection is free if the tree is at the curb by January 15. For residents who live north of Lovers Lane, curb collection is free through January 16. Please place your tree at the curb by 7 a.m. on the last collection day. After those dates, the collection fee is $33.30. If you place your tree at curbside and do not remove the tree stand, lights or ornaments, your next monthly water bill will show a $33.30 charge. For more information, call the Sanitation Division at 214-987-5451, or dial 311. 

Would you like to receive an email reminder to set your tree out? Click on the bar below to sign up for reminders!

The Friends Annual Drive has begun!

Support the UP Public Library with a donation to the Friends. Give as little as $25 for the year and become a “Friend” of the UP Public Library. Your donation will be used to:

• Maintain and improve Library facilities
• Host in-person events by local luminaries and authors
• Fund enriching Library programs such as Summer Reading
• Purchase books and materials for circulation

To become a Friend or learn about the benefits of membership, visit our website. 

Meet Me at the Library Series: Rusty Williams - January 13

The Friends is pleased to host Rusty Williams, author of Deadly Dallas: A History of Unfortunate Incidents and Grisly Fatalities, which weaves together stories of the surprising perils of city life at the turn of the twentieth century. Stampeding livestock on city streets, untrustworthy elevators, collapsing buildings and exploding boilers are only some of the unexpected hazards early Dallasites faced at a time when technologies were shifting and the city was experiencing explosive growth.

This Meet Me at the Library Presentation will be held on Tuesday, January 13 in the UP Public Library 3rd Floor Community Room at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. The program is free and open to all but reservations are highly recommended.

Winter Book Sale - February 6 and 7

Cozy up with a good read this winter! The Friends Winter Book Sale will include a wide selection of Adult Fiction, Non Fiction, Classics, Cookbooks, Coffee Table Books, Kids Books from Board Books and Picture Books to Middle Grade through YA and School Required Reading. We will have a special selection of American History books for all ages in celebration of our Semiquincentennial.

Friday, February 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. - Member-Only Presale Hours

Friday, February 6 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Open to the Public

Saturday, February 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Open to the Public

City of UP Peek Service Center (4420 Worcola St. Dallas, TX 75206)

Prices are $5 Adult Books (including cookbooks), $4 Kids Books (3/$10), $10 Coffee Table Books and a selection of both collectible and bargain sale titles with special pricing.