Malibu Jack's Indoor Entertainment Center Plans NRH Location

Exciting news, NRH! Malibu Jack’s indoor theme park is planning their first Texas location in North Richland Hills at 8651 Airport Freeway, in the former At Home building. Currently operating 4 locations across Kentucky and Indiana, Malibu Jack’s is an indoor family entertainment center that provides fun for all ages with indoor go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, bowling, indoor coasters, arcade games, tasty eats and drinks, and much more!

Malibu Jack’s parent company, Five Star Parks & Attractions, told the NRH City Council this week that they hope to close on the property this summer and, if all goes as planned, they will open in mid-2025. Five Star Parks & Attractions also owns and operates Track Family Fun Parks, Xtreme Racing Center, LazerPort Fun Center, Celebration Station, Speed Zone, Adventure Ziplines, Craig’s Cruisers, Scene75 and Fun Land with 27 locations in 13 states.

We are beyond excited that they have chosen to locate in North Richland Hills, bringing more great entertainment options to NRH families and the surrounding community! 

Limb Collection Reminders from Republic Services

If you need to dispose of limbs, fence panels or other bulky items following the recent storms, here are some reminders from Republic Services:

• Brush, tree limbs, leaves and other yard waste must be bagged, canned or tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet in length weighing no more than 50 pounds.

• Stockade-type fence panels must be cut into 4-by-6-foot sections or smaller. Loose pickets or slats must be tied and bundled.

• Place bagged household trash in a separate pile from limbs and yard waste. When trucks are getting full, priority is given to household trash. Limbs and yard waste may not be collected until your next collection day.

• You also have the option to take brush and bulky items directly to the landfill. Each North Richland Hills household gets one free entry into the landfill per month. A voucher must be presented to the landfill attendant along with your driver's license. Vouchers may be obtained online at https://www.nrhtx.com/landfill or at the Water Department at City Hall.

If you have questions for Republic, you can reach them at 817-317-2085 Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

By the way, if Oncor (or one of their contractors) took down limbs on your property during their repairs, they will be back to pick them up.

City Council Meeting Highlights

Following are highlights from the May 28, 2024 City Council meeting. For more details and to watch the meeting video, visit www.nrhtx.com/agendas. You can also sign up to be notified by email when new meeting agendas are posted. 

Pavement Assessment Results

During the work session, the City Council reviewed results of the city’s Pavement Condition Assessment. The assessment objectively measured all 256.71 centerline miles of city streets to determine the extent of pavement distress/deterioration, as well as the road roughness/ride quality. An Overall Condition Index (OCI) rating was assigned to each street, with 51% of street miles rated as good or satisfactory, 23.3% as fair, 14.4% as poor and 11.5% as very poor or worse. The City Council CIP Committee will review the data further and make recommendations for the city’s annual Preventive Street Maintenance Program. Streets that ranked very poor or worse would not benefit from the routine maintenance provided through the annual Preventive Street Maintenance Program, as they are in need of complete reconstruction. Those projects will be considered for a future street bond election. Roadways that TxDOT maintains in NRH (Davis, Boulevard 26, Precinct Line and Loop 820) were not included in the assessment. 

Work Session Livestream

The City Council agreed to livestream future City Council work sessions, starting with the June 10 meeting. Work sessions are a time for the Council to receive and analyze information from city staff and discuss issues that may be placed on future agendas for formal consideration by the Council. Work session meetings are open to the public. The work session livestream will be available to view at www.nrhtx.com/agendas, on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, or on Charter / Spectrum Cable Channel 190. Work session recordings will also be archived for on demand viewing at a later date. If work sessions are held off-site and cannot be livestreamed, they will be recorded and posted online.

Keep NRH Beautiful Scholarship

Members of the Keep NRH Beautiful Commission presented their annual scholarship to Carter Topley, a 2024 Graduate of Birdville High School. Carter impressed KNRHB Commission members not only with his academic achievements, but also with his community involvement including organizing volunteers for a large litter cleanup event and a trail project with the Parks Department.

Zoning Changes

Requests to change zoning from agricultural to residential were approved on 1.47 acres on Crane Road and on 1.92 acres on Hewitt Street. The properties were also replatted, creating 3 residential lots on Crane Road and 2 lots on Hewitt Street.

Approval was also given for a special use permit for a Margarita Hut at 5600 Rufe Snow Dr. The new business will be located next to Smoothie King and will offer wine-based margaritas to enjoy on site or to go. Margarita Hut has one other location in Little Elm.

Street Construction Contracts

The City Council approved construction contracts with Texas Materials Group, Inc. (dba Texas Bit) and with Apex Construction, Inc. for the reconstruction of Kirk Lane, Wood View Drive, South Crest Drive, Windhaven Road, Crystal Lane, Daniel Drive, Lake Side Circle and Post Oak Drive, as part of the 2020 Street Bond Program. Apex Construction will repair the concrete curb and gutter and Texas Bit will perform the subgrade and asphalt paving work. The street reconstruction projects are expected to be completed later this year.

Appointments

The City Council appointed Kelvin Deupree to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, Blake Vaughn to serve as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem and Ricky Rodriguez to serve as Associate Mayor Pro Tem, all for a term of one year. These appointments are made annually, as outlined by the city charter, to designate who will preside in the Mayor's absence.

Early Voting for NRH Runoff Election Starts Monday

Early voting begins Monday, June 3 for the runoff election for NRH City Council Place 4. Matt Blake and Jeff Arwine, the top two vote-getters in the May 4 election, will be on the ballot. Election Day is Saturday, June 15. Early voting hours and locations are listed below.

Early Voting Hours

• Monday - Friday, June 3-7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saturday, June 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Monday - Tuesday, June 10 - 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

• NRH Library, 9015 Grand Ave.

• Former Bursey Senior Center, 7301 Bursey Rd.

• City Point United Methodist Church, Duncan Family Life Center, 7301 Glenview Dr.

Wet Weather Means More Potholes

Did you know, excessive rain can lead to an increase in potholes? Potholes are caused by three elements: surface cracks, water and traffic. Small surface cracks form in pavement and expand over time with the action of traffic. Water then seeps through the pavement, weakening it further and causing more deterioration. With all of the rain we’ve experienced over the last several weeks, we are seeing more potholes surface. NRH Public Works is working hard to get these fixed. If you see a pothole crew, please use caution as you drive by. Remember to move over and slow down to keep everyone safe. 

You can report potholes on NRH city streets via the city website or by calling 817-427-6460 and Public Works will add it to their list. We appreciate your patience, as they work to get caught up. Please contact the Texas Department of Transportation district office at 817-370-6500 or online to request pothole repairs on state roadways within North Richland Hills, including NE Loop 820, Davis Boulevard, Precinct Line Road and Boulevard 26. 

Take Steps to Control Mosquitoes

After the recent rains, now is a good time to dump any standing water around your property. It will help to stop your yard from being a mosquito breeding ground. Mosquitoes need stagnant water to lay their eggs, and anything from clogged gutters to backyard toys can turn into a breeding ground if you're not careful. Check for and drain standing water once a week. Visit the city website to learn more.

Upcoming Events

🤸‍♀️Play Today NRH

Join NRH Parks & Recreation the first Saturday of the month for Play Today NRH. On Saturday, June 1 they will be at Green Valley Park, 7701 Smithfield Rd., from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with games and activities. All ages and abilities are welcome.

📚 Mayor's Summer Reading Club Kick Off Party

Celebrate the kick-off of the Mayor's Summer Reading Club from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 1 at the NRH Library! Dance through bubbles and enjoy family-friendly activities like hula hooping, a petting zoo, and touch-a-truck with big city vehicles. This is a free, outdoor event in the Library parking lot. Visit the Mayor's Summer Reading Club page on the Library's website for more upcoming events and activities. 

🌳 Library in the Park

Join the NRH Library on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. through June 11 for stories, songs, and rhymes in one of our local parks. You can also take home some fun crafts, check out books, learn about upcoming events, and even sign up for The Mayor's Summer Reading Club! As seating conditions vary, we recommend bringing your favorite picnic blanket, towel, or folding chair. Please visit the library's website for a list of locations.

🚲👟 Round the Town Bike & Hike

The June Round the Town monthly bicycle ride and hike will take place Tuesday, June 4, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Richfield Park, 7250 Chapman Rd. NRH Parks & Recreation will lead the community in a 9.3-mile bicycle ride and a 1.2-mile hike. Everyone is welcome to bike or hike. Bring your water bottle, and if riding a bike please wear a safety helmet during the ride.

🗑🚲 Fossil Creek Mountain Bike Trail Ride & Park Clean Up

On Saturday, June 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. join your neighbors in a cleanup event at Fossil Creek Park & Trail. After the cleanup, stay for a fun time at the Fossil Creek Mountain Bike Trails Open Ride in conjunction with the Fort Worth Mountain Bike Association. The trail ride is immediately following the park clean-up from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

🎻🎶 Celebrating Culture Series: Sombati World Music Performance

On Monday, June 10, enjoy a lively performance, bringing music from all over the world to life. From traditional Irish and Scottish music, waltzes, and ballads from Northern Spain and Appalachia, polkas, tangos, and rhumbas, toe-tappers from the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, and Transylvania, and a few unique concoctions of their own, Sombati brings you the world in music. This free performance will take place from 6 - 7 p.m. on the second floor of the NRH Library.