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McKinney Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12 MARCH 28 APRIL 28, 2026
2026 Camp Guide
Built for the future
McKinney Fire Department’s administration sta are now operating in a new 40,000-square-foot building to start 2026. While a grand opening celebration for the re department’s new campus is expected later this year, ocials have already moved in, Fire Chief Paul Dow said. The 10-acre, three-building campus was funded by a voter-approved bond proposition. New $53M Fire HQ aims to support department growth
INSIDE
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Fire ghter paramedic Brandon Frazier stands next to a re engine Feb. 25 at the McKinney Fire Department’s new logistics building. (Colby Farr/Community Impact)
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Apply for multiple grants, including Transit, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and updated Community Support Grant funding. New Updates & More Opportunities McKinney Nonprot Grants
Ϯ c KINNEY ARTS COϮϮISSION GRANTS AVAILAϫLE
Supporting arts, culture, and creativity in McKinney.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
SEASON SUPPORT Up to $20,000 (nonprofits)
Applications accepted March 3 - April 3, 2026 Optional information sessions: IN-PERSON: Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m. McKinney City Hall, 401 E Virginia St. VIRTUAL: March 3 • 10:30 a.m. Registration required Email ConsolidatedGrants@McKinneytexas.org
Grants are awarded to eligible organizations that support McKinney residents with: • Basic and community needs, including food, clothing, education, housing, and shelter • Counseling, safety, and mental health • Housing support, infrastructure, transit services, and much more!
PROJECT OUTREACH Up to $10,000 (open to individuals, businesses, and organizations)
PUϫLIC ART Up to $20,000 (permanent art installations)
Projects must take place in McKinney. DeϱϽlines vϱry. AЂЂly eϱrly!
To apply or learn more, visit McKinneyTexas.org/Grants
COMMUNITY EVENTS ARE SUPPORTED
MCDC RECEIVES A HALF-CENT SALES TAX REVENUE
PARKS ARE BUILT AND UPDATED More than 30 parks built or updated in the last three years
WHEN RESIDENTS AND VISITORS SHOP AND DINE IN MCKINNEY: HOW BUYING LOCAL IMPACTS McKINNEY
• Arts in Bloom; April 10-12 • Empty Bowls; April 23 • Collin County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale; April 25 • McKinney Repertory Theatre; Concert with cast of Forever Plaid; April 26
$330+ million awarded since 1996.
RETAIL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS ARE AWARDED
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ARE UPGRADED AND NEW CONCEPTS ARE SUPPORTED
COMMUNITY FACILITIES ARE BUILT AND SUPPORTED • Chestnut Square Historical Village • Hugs Café Headquarters • Sunset Amphitheater • Collin County Children's Advocacy Center
• The Cotton Mill • Harvest at the Masonic • Hamm's Meat + Market • The Flour Mill
• Collin County Habitat for Humanity • City of McKinney Housing and Community Development • McKinney Housing Authority-The Remnant • 380 Villas by Sphinx Development
McKINNEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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New Requirement for Short-Term Rentals Annual Registration begins April 6, 2026
Apex Centre Full-day, weekly camps with optional before and after care Old Settler’s Recreation Center Full and half-day camps Recreation Center at Towne Lake Half-day Camps CAMPS SUMMER Register now!
Apartments, houses, rooms, or ADUs rented on short-term platforms like Airbnb and VRBO must be registered annually with the City of McKinney. McKinneyTexas.org/STR
WITH THE CITY OF MCKINNEY STAY CONNECTED
WEBSITE •ENEWSLETTERS • NOTIFY ME • FACEBOOK • INSTAGRAM X • LINKEDIN • YOUTUBE • NEXTDOOR • McKINNEY TV
McKinneyParks.org/Camps Scan code for a full list of camps, or visit us at:
McKinneyTexas.org/StayConnected
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MCKINNEY EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
About Community Impact
Community Roots: Founded in 2005 by John and Jennifer Garrett, we remain a locally owned business today. Texas-Wide Reach: We deliver trusted news to 75+ communities across the Austin, Bryan-College Station, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metros.
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Miranda Talley General Manager mtalley@ communityimpact.com
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Impacts
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in purchasing StatLab products and equipment that support histology, cytology and microbiology laboratory work, according to its website. • Opened Feb. 23 • 2090 Commerce Drive, McKinney • www.statlab.com
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5 The Wellness Room Chiropractic + Recovery
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The health industry business, featuring a spa- like setting, offers a variety of services including chiropractic care, a private sauna, cold plunge suites and red-light therapy • Opened March 2 • 2152 N. Lake Forest Drive, Ste. 400, McKinney • www.wellnessroomtx.com 6 Victoria in McKinney The first residents have recently moved into Victoria in McKinney, a new senior community. Amenities include home health services that will be available to all residents, daily activities and workout classes. Residents also have access to a walk-in pool and gathering spaces. • Opened in December
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• 153 Enterprise Drive, McKinney • www.victoriaseniorhomes.com
MCKINNEY RANCH PKWY. East McKinney
• Opened January 22 • 113 S. Tennessee St., McKinney • www.happymix.com
Coming soon
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7 E3 McKinney Motor Club Located in a 14,000-square-foot space at the McKinney Cotton Mill, members will be able to store their vehicles on-site and access a lounge area and a DIY shop area with a car lift, specialty tools and workbenches. • Opening in May • McKinney Cotton Mill, 610 Elm St., McKinney • www.e3storage.com/e3storage-of-mckinney-at-the- cotton-mill 8 Gravy & More Many menu items, including the Gravy Train Breakfast and Papa Dave’s Meatloaf, are served with gravy. Additional menu items include French toast, pancakes,
3 Shorty’s The menu includes hot dogs, smash burgers and a variety of sandwiches. The restaurant will also serve cocktails, wine and beer, according to its website. Co-owner Bryan McVay said he hopes to celebrate and share McKinney’s history through the restaurant. • Opened March 16 • 109 N. Kentucky St., McKinney • www.eatdrinkshortys.com 4 StatLab Medical Products The company’s new Customer Innovation Lab will be used for hands-on training, troubleshooting and guiding customers through real-world workflow applications. StatLab CEO Sung-Dae Hong said the lab will serve as a “showcase” for potential customers interested
121 1 Bojangles The eatery serves chicken dishes, including chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, according to its website. The restaurant also serves breakfast, sides such as seasoned fries and coleslaw, and sweets such as the restaurant’s signature Bo-Berry Biscuit. • Opened March 17 • 200 S. Central Expressway, McKinney • www.bojangles.com 2 Happymix Creperie The shop’s menu includes Japanese-style handheld crepes in sweet and savory flavors. The menu also includes matcha lattes, boba tea, loose leaf teas served hot or iced, and smoothies.
waffles, sliders, sandwiches and salads. • Opening in the third quarter of 2026
STAY AT
$10 OFF 1 ST BOARDING STAY AVAILABLE TO NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MUST PASS INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS.
448 N Custer Rd, McKinney, TX 75071
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
• 2414 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.gravyandmore.com
beverages including coffee, lattes, chai lattes and tea, as well as plants and plant accessories. • Expanded Jan. 31 • 214 N. Kentucky St., Ste. A, McKinney • www.habitat-plants.com 12 The Samaritan Inn Organization officials broke ground on a new pet kennel that will almost triple the capacity space of the existing on-site kennel and accommodate up to 28 pets—16 dogs and 12 cats. The kennel houses pets for residents of The Samaritan Inn, a comprehensive transitional housing program. • Opening in October • 1514 N. McDonald St., McKinney • https://saminn.org/paws-pet-kennel-expansion
Coming soon
9 Integrity Urgent Care The business will offer a variety of healthcare services including urgent care, primary care, virtual primary care and occupational medicine, the company website states.
• Opening in the fourth quarter of 2026 • 2414 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.integrityuc.com
10 Texans Credit Union The credit union is slated to open its first new branch in almost two decades in McKinney, a company representative said. The not-for-profit banking center offers a variety of services including loans, checking,
14 Texas Health McKinney The 51-acre hospital campus will include 60 beds when it opens, but officials plan to double the capacity in the future, a news release states. The facility will feature a Women’s Services Center, an emergency department, surgical suites, cardiology services and advanced imaging. The campus will also include a future medical office building. • Opening in 2028 • Intersection of Laud Howell Parkway and US 75, McKinney • www.texashealth.org
savings and credit cards. • Opening in early 2027 • 3950 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.texanscu.org
In the news
13 Pogue Construction The McKinney-based design, engineering and construction firm will be led by a new chief executive officer, according to a March company news release. Lou Morelli, who served as president for the past four years, will succeed former CEO Ben Pogue, who will retain his role as company chairman. • 1512 Bray Central Drive, Ste. 300, McKinney • www.pogueconstruction.com
Expansions
11 Habitat Plants + Coffee Owner Karina Velez leased the space next to the shop, which allowed the business to expand by about 3,500 square feet. Habitat Plants and Coffee sells a variety of
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Impacts West McKinney
4 Starbucks The establishment, which was founded in Seattle in 1971, sells a variety of beverages including coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Breakfast and lunch items, including sandwiches and protein boxes, are also on the menu. • Opened Feb. 23 • 7530 SH 121, McKinney • www.starbucks.com 5 The Kebab Shop The eatery serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes featuring rotisserie and grilled kebabs, including wraps, bowls and plates. Side dish options include hummus, falafel, grilled vegetables and more, the company’s website states. • Opened Feb. 20 • 8701 W. University, Ste. 470, McKinney • www.thekebabshop.com
Now open 1 Barrio Tacos
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The restaurant serves customizable tacos, and a variety of queso, guacamole and salsa dips served alongside chips. Barrio Tacos also serves tequila drinks and bourbon drinks, according to its website. • Opened March 5 • 9401 W. University Drive, Ste. 150, McKinney • www.barrio-tacos.com 2 Coffee Nutz Beyond classic espresso drinks—such as espresso, cortado, cappuccino and Americano—the cafe also features seasonal matcha options, pour-overs and siphon coffee and tea. The food menu features avocado toast, Golden teriyaki brioche, shrimp arugula salad. • Opened Dec. 10 • 6951 S. Custer Road, Ste. 500, McKinney • www.coffee-nutz.com 3 Milano Nail Spa The beauty industry business offers manicures, pedicures, brow and lash services, massages and more, according to the business website. • Opened in January
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6 D-BAT The baseball and softball training facility offers training opportunities, professional coaching and sports camps.
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• Opening in late April or early May • 8176 FM 2478, Bldg. 9, McKinney • www.dbatcelina.com
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• 8880 SH 121, Ste. 100, McKinney • www.milanomckinneymtc.com
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7 Mercy Court Townhomes The 11.2-acre residential project received unanimous approval from McKinney City Council for project zoning Feb. 3. Developers intend to build 65 townhome units across 18 buildings, according to project officials. • Opening TBD • Near the intersection of North Lake Forest Drive and Bloomdale Road, McKinney • www.mercycourttownhomes.com 8 Palladium Craig Ranch The new multifamily development by Dallas-based Palladium USA is expected to bring 327 apartment homes to a roughly 4.7-acre site in Craig Ranch Town Center, according to a news release. Preleasing for homes in the development is expected to begin in mid-2027. • Opening in 2027 • 7909 Collin McKinney Parkway, McKinney • www.palladiumusa.com
renovation project has an estimated construction cost of $120,000. Construction is slated for completion in March. • 5100 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 108, McKinney • www.southernsteer.com
Coming soon
Closings
10 Mahjong Chinese Kitchen The eatery, which offered lunch and dinner service, served Chinese cuisine including various soups, salads, noodle bowls and rice bowls. • Closed in late February • 210 N. Custer Road, Ste. 130, McKinney • www.mahjongkitchen.com
11 Kroger Marketplace The new 99,000-square-foot grocery store, which will anchor the planned Custer Frontier Marketplace retail development, was held in February. The store will offer various grocery and home goods, and generate between 200-250 new jobs, company officials said. • Opening in early 2027 • Southeast corner of North Custer Road and Laud Howell Parkway, McKinney • www.kroger.com
Worth the trip
TOCA Social The venue has 20 playing boxes, which are semi-private spaces, where guests eat, drink and play games on an interactive digital screen with five soccer ball-oriented game options. The menu features internationally- inspired finger foods such as sliders, wings and tapas. • Opened March 6 • 5652 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony • www.toca.social/us
What’s next
PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
9 Southern Steer Butcher The business is set to sell fresh, prime cuts of meat from sustainable and domestic sources in McKinney, the company website states, including beef, chicken and pork. Side dishes, marinades, desserts and more will also be offered. According to the filing, the 2,113-square-foot
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MCKINNEY EDITION
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Art Demonstrations • Live Music • Kids Art Avenue • Wine + Beer Garden ArtsInBloomTX.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY COLBY FARR
Registration will soon be required for short- term rental operators in McKinney. McKinney City Council members passed an ordinance amendment requiring annual registration of all rentals within city limits during a March 3 meeting. Council members voted 4-2 in favor of approving the ordinance amendment. Mayor Bill Cox and council member Rick Franklin dissented, and council member Ernest Lynch was not present for the vote. Development Services Executive Director Michael Quint said no fee was proposed to make it easy for operators to register but a fee could be added at a later date. Other North Texas cities, such as Frisco and Plano, also require short-term registration. Allen: Registration required annually • $350 for irst-time registration • $250 for renewal Frisco: Registration required annually • $300 for irst-time registration • $300 for renewal Plano: Registration required annually • $300 for irst-time registration • $200 for renewal McKinney: Registration required annually • No fee for registering New rules set for short-term rental operators
The background
The framework
Short-term rentals are typically de ned as a residential property that is rented to someone who is not a permanent resident, according to a sta presentation. The city collects hotel occupancy taxes directly from Airbnb and Vrbo, two platforms that manage short-term rental reservations in McKinney. When a visitor books a hotel or a short-term rental, they pay a 13% hotel occupancy tax. The city keeps 7%, and the remaining is collected by the state. Dollars collected by the city are used for promoting local events that generate overnight stays. Hotel occupancy tax revenues have increased each of the last ve years, with more than $3.3 million generated in scal year 2024-25.
As part of the annual registration, rental operators must provide contact information for someone who can be reached 24 hours a day, according to a city document. The program aims to help identify rentals in McKinney in order to assist investigations related to criminal conduct or public nuisances. “Without a registration ordinance, it’s di cult to know how many short-term rentals we actually have,” Quint said. O cials estimate there are about 486 short-term rentals operating in and around McKinney, according to the sta presentation. Council member Geré Feltus asked how much sta time it would take to operate a registration program and whether that would justify a fee. Quint said it depends on how the program is administered and whether it can be automated through a platform such as Energov. “At a high level, we don’t think it’ll be a whole lot of work if we can automate it,” he said. “If it’s not automated and we have to do everything through paper applications, there’ll be some nominal load on city sta resources.” Any short-term rental operators who do not register with the city would be subject to a Class C misdemeanor, which is similar for other code violations, Quint said. Code violations are punishable by a ne of up to $500, according to McKinney’s code of ordinances.
Hotel occupancy tax revenues in McKinney
$4M Hotel occupancy tax revenue
$3M
$2M
$1M
0
SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: VISIT MCKINNEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Government
BY COLBY FARR
Officials look to solutions as local housing cost burden rises
Percentage of McKinney households that are cost burdened The percentage of cost burdened households has increased for both owners and renters in most income brackets. Renter households Owned households 2015 2015
A new report on affordable housing in McKinney shows that housing cost burdens have increased for owners and renters in the city. The specifics Root Policy Research Director Avilia Bueno presented the new report’s findings during a Feb. 17 McKinney City Council work session, which included an assessment of McKinney’s affordable housing needs and strategy recommendations. Housing cost burdens have increased for renters and owners between 2015 and 2023, according to Bueno’s presentation. Cost burden is defined as any household that spends more than 30% of its income on housing costs, Bueno said. “That means there is less income left over for education, health care, transportation, food, child care and other necessities,” she said. “There’s also less disposable income for the household to just spend in the local economy.”
2023
2023
Household income
SOURCE: ROOT POLICY RESEARCH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
develop a three-to-five-year affordable housing strategy for council’s consideration. “The intention is to develop clear priorities, implementation steps and measurable performance metrics to continue moving the needle forward on affordable housing,” she said.
Looking ahead City staff will use key findings and recommen- dations from the report to form a targeted goal for affordable housing, Housing and Community Development Director Margaret Li said. Staff will
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Government
BY COLBY FARR
Engineering firm picked to design downtown parking garage City officials are taking another step towards potential construction of a new parking garage in downtown McKinney. What’s happening? McKinney City Council members approved up to $411,500 for a contract with consulting firm Fish- beck during a March 3 meeting. Under terms of the contract, Fishbeck will provide schematic designs for a parking garage on a city-owned site at the corner of Hunt and Kentucky streets. The project also includes a proposed relocation of Central Park from the site to a location across Kentucky Street. The garage could accommodate between 330 and 630 parking spaces on up to six levels of parking, according to Fishbeck’s proposal. At least three design options and associated costs will be
Over $2.6M in grants awarded to 3 projects The McKinney Community Development Corp. officials awarded $2.66 million to three local projects as part of its Project Grants program, according to a news release. Each project was selected for its ability “enhancing the overall quality of life in McKinney,” the release states. The details Board members awarded $2,661,800 to: • McKinney Ranch Senior Living: $2.5 million for infrastructure for a 109-unit senior living development • Heritage Guild of Collin County: $148,500 for the construction of new restroom facilities at Chestnut Square • Collin County History Museum: $13,300 for building preservation projects, includ- ing window tinting and interior repairs
Central park
HUNT ST.
Proposed relocation of Central Park
Proposed parking garage
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SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
presented to the council for consideration. The context The proposed parking garage is part of an effort to redevelop several city-owned properties in the area, including the former City Hall and Devel- opment Services building, which are slated for demolition in 2026. City officials are exploring a potential partner- ship with the McKinney Economic Development Corp. to redevelop the former City Hall site for office uses.
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MCKINNEY EDITION
Education
BY MARY KATHERINE SHAPIRO
Superintendent to serve through 2029
MISD o cials look to delay teacher certi cation rule
McKinney ISD trustees approved a waiver application to ask the Texas Education Agency to delay the requirement that all district teachers must be certi ed at a Feb. 16 meeting. House Bill 2, which Texas lawmakers passed during the 2025 legislative session, prohibits districts from hiring uncerti ed educators to teach core subjects, such as math, English, social studies and science. The details House Bill 2 prohibits uncerti ed teachers in reading and math classrooms for kindergarten through fth grade for the 2026-2027 school year, said Shelly Spaulding, MISD’s assistant superin- tendent of public relations, communications and support services. The law will apply to all core subjects, including science, social studies and English/language arts, in the 2027-28 school year. To comply with the legislation in future school years, MISD is partnering with Indiana Wesleyan
“McKinney ISD has decreased the number of uncerti ed teachers signi cantly, but the number of certi ed applicants is becoming signi cantly smaller every year.” SHELLY SPAULDING, MISD ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
McKinney ISD Superin- tendent Shawn Pratt is now expected to serve in his role through 2029 following a contract extension. The district’s board of
OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES
trustees voted to approve the contract amendment at a Feb. 16 meeting, extending Pratt’s contract to June 30, 2029. Pratt has been MISD’s superintendent since March 2023. A closer look Pratt’s initial contract included a salary of $305,000 and the contract amendment does not indicate a salary increase, per district documents. An amendment to the contract made in 2025 extended his service to June 30, 2028.
University and teaching certi cation program Teachworthy to help teachers work toward certi ca- tion, Spaulding said. The waiver application period closed March 2, and all noti cations of approval are expected to be shared with the district by March 31, according to the TEA’s website.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Health care
BY HEATHER MCCULLOUGH
Internal medicine doctor discusses allergy symptoms, treatments As springtime pollen allergies approach, North Texas residents with seasonal allergies may experience increased symptoms. Dr. Deepika Kumaresan, an internal medicine doctor with Baylor Scott & White Health, spoke with Community Impact about allergies in Dallas- Fort Worth, including symptoms, most prevalent allergens and treatment. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com. What are allergies, and what does the average person need to know about them? Allergies occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to substances that are typically harmless—like pollen, dust, mold or pet dander. When exposed, the immune system releases
chemicals, such as histamine, which trigger symptoms ranging from sneezing and itchy eyes to more serious reactions. Understanding your triggers and recognizing symptoms early helps you manage allergies effectively. Which allergens are most prevalent in North Texas? North Texas experiences a high burden of airborne allergens throughout the year. The most common include: • Tree pollens: oak, pecan, cedar, elm • Grass pollens: Bermuda and Johnson grass • Weeds: ragweed, especially in the fall How should people treat them? The right care team can help you develop a personalized plan to finally get them under control. Common treatments include over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays and decongestants for short-term relief. Environmental controls—such as keeping windows closed, using air conditioning and regularly cleaning indoor spaces— can also help reduce exposure.
COURTESY BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE
Common allergies by season In Texas—and especially North Texas—seasonal allergies can occur nearly year‑round due to the climate and plant diversity, Kumaresan said.
Winter (December-February): cedar pollen
Spring (February-May): tree pollens
Summer (April-September): grass pollen
Fall (August-November): ragweed
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MCKINNEY EDITION
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Transportation
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BY COLBY FARR
MCKINNEY
Upcoming projects
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U N I V E R S IT Y D R .
5
U N I V ER S I TY D R.
380
1 Infrastructure improvements along Tennessee, Lamar and Hunt streets Project: Reconstruction of Tennessee Street between Virginia and Lamar streets, Lamar Street between Church Street and SH 5, and Hunt Street between Kentucky Street and SH 5. Update: Design is 90% complete, and o cials expect to bid the project this summer. • Timeline: fall 2026-late 2028 • Cost: $16 million • Funding source: city of McKinney 2 Graves Street and First Avenue infrastructure reconstruction VIRGINIA PKWY. Project: Reconstruction of infrastructure for a section of Graves Street between Greenwood Street and Harroun Avenue, as well as First Avenue between Graves and College streets. Update: Design work is underway. • Timeline: May 2025-late 2026 (design), construction EL DORADO PKWY.
380
1ST AVE.
HARROUN AVE.
2
3B
GREENWOOD ST.
VIRGINIA PKWY.
5
JONES ST.
LELA ST. HALL ST.
McKinney
5
BONNER ST.
1
FLORENCE ST.
LAMAR ST.
FOOTE ST.
HUNT ST.
3A
VIRGINIA ST.
KENTUCKY ST.
MEDICAL CENTER DR.
to start spring 2027 • Cost: $16.3 million • Funding source: city of McKinney
399
MCKINNEY RANCH PKWY.
FRISCO RD.
4
COUNTRY CLUB RD.
Ongoing projects
S T
MAINST.
SRT TOLL
MCDONALD ST.
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
3 Eldorado Parkway and Virginia Parkway rehabilitation Project: Reconstruction of A Eldorado Parkway between Ridge Road and US 75, and B Virginia Parkway between Stonebridge Drive and US 75. ROLATER RD. Update: Construction crews are beginning work on the last remaining section of Eldorado Parkway between Country Club Drive and US 75, which is expected to nish this spring before crews move to Virginia Parkway. • Timeline: June 2025-late 2026 • Cost: $10.3 million • Funding source: city of McKinney 4 Medical Center Drive improvements Project: Reconstruction and widening of Medical Center Drive between Frisco Road and Spur 399 to a four-lane divided roadway.
Update: Construction is underway as of January 2026. The contractor has removed the existing pavement from the roadway’s southbound side. Tra c has been shifted to the northbound side. • Timeline: January 2026-early 2027 • Cost: $5.2 million • Funding source: city of McKinney 5 Infrastructure improvements along Lela, Jones, Foote and Bradley streets Project: Renewal of substandard infrastructure, including streets, drainage and utilities, will take place at various segments. Update: Paving is underway on Lela Street. The project is expected to nish this summer.
• Timeline: February 2025-summer 2026 • Cost: $7.5 million • Funding source: city of McKinney 6 US 380 and Community Avenue intersection improvements
Project: Improvements including additional turn lanes and tra c signal improvements for the US 380 and Community Avenue intersection . Update: The new tra c signal has been placed for operation. Sewer relocations are underway. • Timeline: March 2025-summer 2026 • Cost: $5.6 million • Funding sources: city of McKinney, Texas Department of Transportation
17
MCKINNEY EDITION
Events
BY MARY KATHERINE SHAPIRO
• Free (admission) • 6861 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney • https://mckinneytexas.libcal.com
• 404 N. Church St., McKinney • www.jumpintoartstudios.com
• $50 • 4201 S. Hardin Blvd., McKinney • https://bit.ly/3ONQ12R
April
Backyard Beekeeping workshop The Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association will host a workshop where attendees will learn about the role of bees in the ecosystem, learn how to create bee- friendly habitats and start a beehive. • April 4, 11 a.m.-noon • Free (admission) • John and Judy Gay Public Library, 6861 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney • https://mckinneytexas.libcal.com McKinney Farmers Market The farmers market at Chestnut Square is open year- round and o ers a variety of fresh produce. • April 4, 8 a.m.-noon • Free (admission) • 315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney • www.chestnutsquare.org/farmers-market Sip & Throw Pottery Night Jump Into Art Studios will host a two-hour beginner pottery workshop for adults. Students will create four pieces, and wine will be served.
2nd Saturday Bird Walk The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary will host an event to help beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identi cation techniques. • April 11, 8 a.m. • $16 (adult ticket), $14 (senior ticket), free (members) • 1 Nature Place, McKinney • https://bit.ly/3Mxvhfc Guided Historic Walking Tour McKinney’s Historic Preservation O ce and Visit McKinney will partner to o er a walking tour of the historic district on the second Tuesday of each month. All tours leave from the Visitors Center. • April 14, 11 a.m.-noon • Free (admission)
Spring Native Plant Sale The 37th annual Spring Native Plant Sale fundraiser at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary will feature plants, herbs and native milkweed plants. • April 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 19, 1-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1 Nature Place, McKinney • www.heardmuseum.org/plant-sale The Boho Market Tupps Brewery will host a market where guests can purchase items from local vendors. The event is family- friendly and dog-friendly.
Empty Bowls The 15th annual event will be held at Tupps Brewery and features a showcase of handcrafted bowls made by professional and amateur artists. Guests can enjoy a sampling of gourmet soups and light bites prepared by chefs. Proceeds of the event go to Community Lifeline Center, Community Garden Kitchen and The Little Free Pantry of McKinney. • April 23, 6-8 p.m. • Ticket prices vary • 402 E. Louisiana St., Building 2, McKinney • www.emptybowlsmckinney.com/event-tickets The Lion Swing The McKinney High School Band Booster Club will host a swing dance as a fundraiser to support the band program. Attendees will hear music from the MHS Mane Attraction Jazz Band and the McKinney Dance Band. The event also features a silent auction and refreshments. • April 25, 7 p.m. • $20.50-$25.50 (ticket) • 1400 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney • www.visitmckinney.com/event/the-lion-swing/12173
• April 18, 1-6 p.m. • Free (admission) • 402 E. Louisiana St., McKinney • https://bit.ly/46lI62U
• 200 W. Virginia, McKinney • https://bit.ly/4ceUwNM
Arts In Bloom Festival During this three-day festival in downtown McKinney, event attendees can see art from over 125 local, regional and nationally recognized artists. For $30, guests can taste 12 wines from Texas wineries and take home a commemorative glass. Food and art
demonstrations will also be available. • April 10, 5-10 p.m.; April 11, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; April 12, noon-5 p.m. • Free (admission) • 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney • www.mckinneytexas.org/3571/arts-in-bloom
Earth Day Celebration The John and Judy Gay Public Library will host an Earth Day event with nature-inspired crafts and activities. The event is open to attendees of all ages. • April 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
McKinney A ordable Housing Summit The city of McKinney will host an a ordable housing summit for business leaders and developers to learn about partnership opportunities and incentives. • April 13, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• April 10, 7-9 p.m. • $88 (admission)
LOWRY 4100 E US 380 (972) 540-2500
ALLEN 1839 N Central Expy (972) 908-3488
MCKINNEY 2900 W University Dr (214) 341-5487
Built for the future From the cover
Tracking re station development in McKinney Fire o cials are planning for new re stations in districts 2 and 5. Plans are also underway to develop a new re station in District 9 though a site address has not been determined for Fire Station No. 14.
The full story
Administration o cials moved into the department’s new headquarters at the end of January, Dow said. The headquarters is located centrally within the $53 million campus and will house the department’s assistant chiefs, battalion chiefs, its Emergency Medical Service division and the Fire Marshal’s O ce. The campus also includes a logistics building to store department equipment as well as a new building for Fire Station No. 2, replacing the nearly 30-year-old building on West University Drive. The old station had one drive-thru bay and couldn’t accommodate the six re ghters that were typically stationed there, Dow said. “We literally had bunk beds in the rooms because we could not accommodate the number of re ghters,” he said. MFD operates 10 re stations covering 10 districts across the city, said Sean Stephens, assistant chief of support services. More re stations are planned in districts 2, 5 and 9, according to the city’s website. Funding for the campus comes from a $75 million bond proposition passed in 2019. Funds from that proposition are also reserved for a new Fire Station No. 11 and Fire Station No. 8. City Manager Paul Grimes said the new campus represents a “long-term investment” in McKinney’s safety. “As McKinney continues to grow, we have a responsibility to make sure our Fire Department has the space and infrastructure needed to support emergency response across the city,” Grimes said in an emailed statement. “This facility strengthens coordination and allows our team to operate more e ciently while preparing for future demands.” Department o cials plan to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 8 for the campus.
Current McKinney re stations Future McKinney re stations O ine re stations District zones with planned re stations
10
5
75
Fire Station 1 Fire Station 2 Fire Station 3 Fire Station 4 Fire Station 5 Fire Station 6 Fire Station 7 Fire Station 8 Fire Station 9 Fire Station 10 Fire Station 11 Fire Station 12 Fire Station 13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
13
9
2
380
1
12
8 9 10 11 12 13
5
380
7
75
3
4
5
6
8
N
MAP NOT TO SCALE
121
11
2
20K sq. ft.
Building A McKinney Fire Station No. 2
16K sq. ft.
40K sq. ft.
Building B Administration
Building C Logistics
TAYLOR BURK DR.
SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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20
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COLBY FARR
About the department
A closer look
One more thing
The new headquarters houses 42 employ- ees that were previously located in the McK- inney Public Safety Building. The new space is designed to accommodate the department now and in the future, Dow said. Sta ng at the department has increased more than 60% since 2009. The department was funded for 270 full-time positions in scal year 2024-25.
Average response times in seconds EMS McKinney Fire Department
With re administration moving to the new campus, McKinney police are expected to expand operations within the existing McKinney Public Safety Building. A separate $70 million bond proposition passed in 2024 will fund any renovations to the existing building, according to the city’s website. The new re campus is opening at a time when the department is focused on “pushing the standard of care forward,” Grimes said. The department aims to make McKinney a “four-minute city” by partnering with the police department and residents to place automated external de brillators within four minutes of any cardiac emergency. “The idea is to have a force multiplier out there, and we’ve been working on this for a couple of years,” Dow said.
0 100 200 300 400 500
2022-23
2024-25
2025-26*
2023-24
SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY COMMUNITY IMPACT * TARGETED
McKinney Fire Department sta ng history
Department o cials are not anticipating adjustments to Fire Station No. 2’s coverage area because of the move, Dow said. Fire Station No. 2 is the department’s busiest station, he said. In 2025, the station’s EMS vehicle and re engine responded to more than 2,700 calls. For comparison, in District 10, both vehicles at Fire Station No. 10 responded to about 700 calls.
+61%
300
200
100
2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 0
SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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21
MCKINNEY EDITION
Community
Camp Guide
2026
Cost: $180-$315 per week • 3253 Alma Road, McKinney • www.impactactivities.com/tcom-camps Eldorado Country Club Type: sports Ages: 6 and up Dates: June 2-Aug. 7 Cost: $300-$375 • 2604 Country Club Drive, McKinney • www.eldoradocc.com
• www.bricksandminifigs.com/mckinney-tx
McKinney
Chestnut Square Heritage Village Type: art, crafts Ages: 7-14
Alpha Omega Gymnastics Type: sports Ages: 3-15 Dates: May 26-Aug. 7 Cost: $162-$277 per week or $44-$75 per day • 8412 Stacy Road, Ste. 100, McKinney • www.aogfun.com/kids-camp Apex Centre Type: art, academics Ages: 5-12 Dates: May 26-Aug. 7 Cost: $200-$375 per week • 3003 Alma Drive, McKinney • www.mckinneytexas.org/576/camps Bach to Rock Type: music Ages: 4-17 Dates: June 1-July 31 Cost: $300-$500 per week • 3041 S. Custer Road, Ste. 200, McKinney • www.bachtorock.com/mckinney Boys & Girls Club of Collin County Type: art, academics, sports Ages: 5-18
Dates: June 2-July 30 Cost: $150 per week • 315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney • www.chestnutsquare.org
Collin College: College for Kids Type: academics, college preparedness Ages: grades 7-9 Dates: June 1-4 Cost: $125 • 2200 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.collin.edu/community/summercamps.html Collin College: Nurse and Health Science Investigation Camp Type: academics, health Ages: grades 7-12 Dates: June 1-3 Cost: not listed • 2200 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.collin.edu/community/summercamps.html
Jump Into Art Studios Type: art, crafts Ages: 6-18 Dates: June 1-July 31 Cost: $190-$368 per camp • 404 N. Church St., McKinney • www.jumpintoart.com
The Kid Connection Type: academics, art, activities Ages: 5-18 Dates: June 1-July 30 Cost: $300 and up (session lengths vary) • 6800 Weiskopf Ave., McKinney • www.thekidconnectiontx.com
The Comedy Arena Type: improv, comedy Ages: grades 5-12 Dates: June 15-19, July 13-17 Cost: $260-$285 per week
McKinney Art House Type: art, crafts Ages: 6 and up Dates: May 25-July 31 Cost: $350-$360 per week
Dates: June 1-July 24 Cost: $550 per camp • 701 S. Church St., McKinney • www.bgccc.org/enroll Bricks & Minifigs Type: academics, brick building
• 305 E. Virginia St., Ste. 104, McKinney • www.thecomedyarenatrainingcenter.org/ kids-summer-camp
• 502 N Kentucky St., McKinney • www.arthousetx.com/artcamps
McKinney Fire Department Type: career, fire department Ages: 12-15 Dates: June 1-5, 8-12 Cost: $25 (McKinney residents), $40 (nonresidents)
The Courts of McKinney Type: tennis, swimming, activities Ages: 4-18 Dates: May 26-Aug. 7
Ages: grades 2 and up Dates: June 1-July 30 Cost: $235 per session • 1411 N. Custer Road, Ste. 200, McKinney
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COLBY FARR & SHELBIE HAMILTON
• 301 N. McDonald St., McKinney • www.mckinneytexas.org/calendar
Pro Black Belt Academy Type: sports Ages: 6 and up Dates: May 25-Aug. 8 Cost: starting at $299 per week • 7551 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 600, McKinney • www.problackbeltmckinney.com Tutor Doctor Type: education, 1x1 tutoring Ages: pre-K-seventh grade Dates: June 1-Aug. 31 (six- or eight-week camps available) Cost: starting at $360 • Online or at-home tutoring • www.tutordoctor.com/frisco-mckinney/ summer-programs
McKinney ISD Type: adventure, activities, crafts
Ages: grades K-5 Dates: June 1-26 Cost: $120 per week
• 300 Joplin Drive, McKinney • www.mckinneyisd.net/page/ mini-summer-enrichment-camps Oak Hollow Golf Academy Type: golf, swimming Ages: 5-17 Dates: June 1-Aug. 6 Cost: $130-$325 (four-day camps) • 3005 N. McDonald St., McKinney • www.oakhollowgolf.com Pine Cove at First McKinney Type: sports, religion Ages: grades 1-6 Dates: July 20-24 Cost: $399 • 1615 W. Louisiana St., McKinney • www.pinecove.com/city/first-mckinney
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wild- life Sanctuary Type: nature Ages: 3-16 Dates: June 1-July 31 Cost: $250 per week • 1 Nature Place, McKinney • www.heardmuseum.org/summer-nature-camps
YMCA McKinney Camp Echo Type: adventure, activities, fitness Ages: 5-12 Dates: May 26-July 24 Cost: $210-$245 per week • 7152 Silverado Trail, McKinney • www.ymcadallas.org/locations/ mckinney/programs/day_camps This list is not comprehensive.
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MCKINNEY EDITION
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