Frisco | November 2024

Business

BY ALEX REECE

Q&A: Lauren Williams looks to support Frisco’s Rail District in new role Lauren Williams stepped into her role as the Frisco Economic Development Corporation’s manager of downtown service and real estate, a position specially created for The Rail District, in late August. Williams’ job description includes acting as a liaison and go-between for city ocials and the business community in Frisco’s historic downtown, which is currently undergoing a multi-year, multi- million-dollar redevelopment. Despite construction, The Rail District is “very much open for business,” Williams said. “The best way to support Rail District businesses is by shopping locally,” she said. “Come out to The Rail District to eat at the restaurants, shop in the stores, take advantage of the services and enjoy the curated experiences these businesses oer.” Williams shared some information about the new position with Community Impact as well as what she wants to achieve as The Rail District’s liaison in the coming years. Answers have been edited for length, style and clarity. What does a Rail District liaison do? As liaison for downtown, I work collaboratively with partners across the city’s Engineering and Planning departments, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, Visit Frisco, and the Frisco Chamber of Commerce to support downtown businesses. I serve as a conduit between these groups and Rail District business owners, ensuring our eorts towards redevelopment are coordinated and impactful.

My work will include implementation of the newly created Frisco Rail District brand: Good to be Here; coordinate community outreach eorts; administration of the Frisco Rail District Investment Zone Pilot Program grants; facilitate the retention and expansion of downtown business, and recruit- ment of new business into downtown. Why was the position created? Over the last several years, Frisco community members have vocalized a desire and need for addi- tional city support in Downtown Frisco, specically a downtown liaison to work closely with downtown businesses to navigate revitalization in the district. In response, the mayor and city council [members] have kept downtown improvements on their top 10 priorities since 2022. To date, the City Council has made an investment of more than $200 million in various Rail District redevelopment eorts to enhance the Frisco Rail District and make it a destination. My role as manager of downtown service and real estate was created to provide dedicated support through existing resources and new programs to businesses in downtown Frisco during redevelopment, specif- ically the construction of Main Street and the new Fourth Street Plaza. What are the long-term goals of the position? Long-term, my primary goal is to ensure the Frisco Rail District is a vibrant and thriving des- tination for residents, tourists and businesses. This work will be accomplished through proactive eorts to support our existing small businesses, recruit new business, enhance tourism and facili- tate the development and management of new real estate downtown. As part of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, my position supports the EDC’s broader mission of attracting and retaining Type

COURTESY FRISCO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

A businesses like corporate headquarters and tech companies to drive economic growth and job creation for Frisco residents. My role in supporting downtown during redevelopment contributes to the city’s long-term economic sustainability. Also of note The city posts updates on construction progress as well as a parking map on its website. Another way for residents to support downtown businesses is through the Frisco Chamber of Commerce’s Receipt Race. After spending money in The Rail District, save the receipts and turn them in to a Parent Teacher Association. The ve PTAs with the most receipts will receive a cash prize. All PTAs are eligible to participate in this com- petition, not just those within Frisco ISD, Williams said. More details on this program can be found at the chamber’s website.

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