RE CU SI ST DE OMER NT IA L page 3 page 4 page 6 PE U. Emergency Management provides disaster Celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Irving Progress continues with the Heritage Park IR PR RM PA S. ECRW VI SR POST IT preparedness information and tips for residents Animal Care Campus with a day filled with fun for redevelopment concept; construction update NG T NO ID ST SS , AG TX . in the event that a natural disaster strikes. the whole family during this year’s Pet Pawlooza. snapshots of the Music Factory and The Delaware. D 88 E AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF IRVING 3 IRVING CITCITYYOFIRVING.ORG MARCH 2017 / VOL 24 / NO 3 CityofIrving.org A N OFFI C I AL P U BLI C A TION OF T H E CITY O F IR VING STUDENTS LEARN WATER SAFETY TECHNIQUES Since its debut in 2012, the Parks and Recreation Department’s SwimSafe program has offered life-saving education to children across Irving. In 2016, the program reached a new milestone by equipping 2,250 second grade students in Irving Independent School District (ISD) with the ability to enjoy the water in a safe, fun manner. The Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of swimming programs throughout the Irving’s International Flair year; however, three of its programs provide water safety education to Irving ISD students. When scanning Irving’s vast corporate landscape, residents may not These include SwimSafe, SwimSafe Summer Grants Program and the Learn to Swim program. realize how many international flags the city’s many businesses ― large In 2016, the SwimSafe Summer Grants Program and small ― represent. offered 280 free lessons to lower income families, while the Learn to Swim program Irving truly presents an international mosaic with to a major international airport, Irving is an attractive provided classes to 3,357 children through the several hundred global companies located within the destination for both domestic and international city’s contracted third-party provider. city. Some of the home countries represented include businesses,” said Shin Takahashi, President and CEO of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, NEC Corporation of America. “We’ve had a presence in SwimSafe is a partnership between the city China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Irving for the past 30 years, and in that time we have and Irving ISD. The district offers instructors India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, seen many businesses establish operations here, creating and transportation, while the city assists Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, opportunities for growth mutually beneficial to those with training and the use of its facilities and Taiwan and the United Kingdom. businesses and the surrounding communities.” lifeguards. During the eight-class course, students learn safe swimming practices including These international corporations benefit Irving French corporation, ATOS SE (Societas Europaea), a how to avoid trouble, lifejacket rescue and self- tremendously. Not only do they contribute to the city’s global leader in digital services, moved into a new rescue techniques, such as turning and reaching significant corporate tax base — 73 percent of Irving’s 100,000-square-foot office off Interstate Highway 635. for the wall, bouncing back to safety, floating tax base is derived from the corporate community — they The company says it plans to grow to as many as 850 and calling for help. help Irving grow its multi-national roster. employees in the DFW area during the next five years. Home to Atos’ regional U.S. headquarters for digital IT “These swimming programs are vital to our “Our international corporations expand the city’s services, the company says it plans to expand its health young residents,” said Irving Mayor Beth Van opportunity to market across the globe,” said Irving care IT portfolio. Atos also is the worldwide IT partner Duyne. “It is important for our youth to learn the Mayor Beth Van Duyne. “When international companies for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The high-tech life-saving techniques that will keep them safe, locate here following a significant evaluation of Irving, corporation has about 100,000 employees in 72 countries informed and prepared.” they are directly endorsing our city as a great place in worldwide and serves a global client base. which to do business. In turn, those endorsements pique the interest of other international business leaders Irving’s massive corporate landscape provides a interested in establishing a U.S. presence.” progressive, innovative community where like-minded business people share information and benefit from each These corporate representatives also help Irving and the other’s products, services and knowledge. Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce staff in building international relationships. Two of North Texas’ main economic drivers and neighbors to Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and “The international corporations introduce us to others in Dallas Love Field airports, also play integral roles in their countries, as well as assist us in understanding their Irving’s success. DFW is one of the busiest airports in the unique needs,” said Irving City Manager Chris Hillman. world. Its central location provides easy access across “The relationships they help us build truly accelerate the United States and direct flights to most major global The SwimSafe program has evolved throughout progress.” markets. With the expiration of the Wright Amendment, the years and expanded to several elementary Dallas Love Field is one of the main hubs in the southwest schools from 2012 to 2015. In turn, the city works to ensure smooth corporate region and throughout Latin and South America. ● 2012 – 150 fourth graders from Townsell transitions. Once here, businesses find a pro-business Elementary. environment. NEC Corporation of America is a great There are many small international businesses that ● 2013 – 450 fourth graders from Lively, Brown example. Based in Japan, NEC employs nearly 98,000 benefit Irving as well. One of the most ethnically and Townsell elementaries. people worldwide and more than 580 at its U.S. diverse food streets in the region is Belt Line Road in ● 2014 – 600 fourth graders from Lively, Brown, headquarters in Irving. NEC recently announced it would Irving, where people can find cuisine from Peru, China, Townsell and Johnston elementaries. be the exclusive point-of-sale technology provider to Cameroon, Nepal, Mexico, Japan and India. These ● 2015 – 900 fourth graders from Brandenburg, Irving-based corporate neighbor, 7-Eleven Corporation. gems provide culinary delicacies, as well as valuable Johnston, Townsell, Britain, Barton, Davis, According to NEC, while 7-Eleven is a global company, introductions to other cultures from around the world. Townley, Brown, Hanes, Thomas Haley the geographic proximity of the two Irving headquarters While located in the heart of Texas, Irving provides elementaries. played a key role. a mosaic of international flair and serves as home to people and businesses from around the world. For more The city and the school district have big plans “Because of the great support from city leadership, information regarding Irving’s international partners, to teach water safety to more Irving students in access to a large and diverse talent pool and proximity visit CityofIrving.org/International-Business. n the future. All 20 Irving ISD elementary school second grades — nearly 3,000 students — will have the opportunity to learn and participate in the SwimSafe program beginning in 2018. Disability Parking Regulations “We are proud of the outreach initiative The Irving Police Department reminds motorists of parking regulations regarding spearheaded by the Parks and Recreation designated disability parking spaces. The parking spaces may be designated with a sign or Department,” said Irving City Manager Chris marking on the pavement. The regulation includes an area in front of an inclined ramp or Hillman. “In just a few short years, the SwimSafe striped area adjacent to a designated space. State law mandates the fine has a minimum of program has expanded its reach — educating $500 plus court costs. A person may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle in a disability parking students from second to fourth grade. This space without displaying a current, valid disability designation license plate or placard, progressive, early training helps ensure our even if a driver or passenger of the vehicle has a disability. For more information, visit number one priority: student’s safety.” n CityofIrving.org/Municipal-Court or call (972) 721-2451. n IRVING CITY A N OFFI C I AL P U BLI C A TION OF T H E CITY O F IR VING In the Galleries Free guided gallery tours are offered at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture Through March 26 | Administration/Front Foyer | Free Produced in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the poster exhibition explores African-American history, culture and community, and celebrates the historic opening of the newest Smithsonian museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Little Mermaid comes to Irving March 23-24. MainStage presents Calendar Girls March 17-April 1. See Mermaid Tails, Hear Guitar Wails and Meet the Girls of Yorkshire Dales … Irving Arts Center’s Sensational Spring Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., is a Smithsonian affiliate Taking the Stage Poster Portraits of Freedom institution that is home to many forms of art and entertainment. To learn Through April 16 | Dupree Lobby | Free more, visit IrvingArtsCenter.com or call (972) 252-7558. This juried student art exhibition draws from the detailed runaway slave advertisements March 2 | JumpstART – Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss March 23-24 | The Little Mermaid aggregated by the Texas Runaway Slave 10 a.m.