McKinney | July 2024

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McKinney Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 4 JULY 25AUG. 22, 2024

2024 Home Edition

Trash turnover City leaders look for better service with provider switch

Crews deliver new trash and recycling carts to the Tierras Altas neighborhood in East McKinney on June 21 as part of the citywide rollout of new carts.

SHELBIE HAMILTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Waste Solutions. Balcones Recycling will also begin service as the city’s recycling processing provider. “Our hope is that we will see an increased performance,” McKinney Mayor George Fuller said in an email.

experienced stang challenges due to a lack of qualied drivers in the marketplace. City sta are working to address issues with the service but expect potential service improvements later this year when the city transitions to its new trash and recycling collection provider, Frontier

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

In an eort to curb trash and recycling collections city ocials have described as “not acceptable,” McKinney sta are bringing in a new provider. Director of Public Works Ryan Gillingham said service provider Waste Connections has

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

Impacts: BMW of McKinney debuts dealership (Page 7)

Government: City leaders approve local tax exemptions (Page 10)

Real estate: Local voucher program to aid residents (Page 19)

Dining: Six eateries now open in north McKinney (Page 25)

FALL ACTIVITY GUIDES ARE AVAILABLE!

Remember to BUY McKINNEY when shopping and dining!

SCAN TO VIEW OUR GUIDES AT McKinneyParks.org/ParksGuides

Supporting local businesses generates sales tax that is reinvested back into the community. Here are some of the local events and projects your sales tax dollars help support.

Give local to help change lives. Supporting local charities is a better way to help panhandlers.

Anytime the heat index reaches 100° the McKinney Salvation Army location opens as a cooling station. M-F • 10 AM – 4 PM • 600 Wilson Creek Pkwy. Did you know?

McKINNEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

For a list of local charities and volunteer resources, visit McKinneyTexas.org/ResourceDirectory

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Impacts

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• 111 W. Virginia St., McKinney • www.deviledeggco.com

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5 Expert Barber Beauty The barbershop and beauty salon offers haircuts for men and women as well as hair coloring. • Opened June 15 • 2800 Virginia Parkway, McKinney • 903-864-5440 6 Maple Street Biscuit Company The business offers biscuits, tacos, waffles and brunch bowls. Patrons can also enjoy a selection of beverages including coffee, lemonade, and mimosas. • Opened June 7 • 4020 W. University Drive, Ste. 100, McKinney • www.maplestreetbiscuits.com 7 Planet Fitness The 18,700-square-foot gym offers a variety of cardio and strength fitness equipment. • Opened June 28 • 117 S. Central Expressway, McKinney • www.planetfitness.com/gyms/ mckinney-central-expy-tx 8 Scenthound The wellness-based dog care and grooming facility offers services such as bathing and nail trimming. • Opened May 28 • 2761 Virginia Parkway, Ste. 200, McKinney • www.scenthound.com 9 The Soccer Corner The store sells soccer footwear, apparel and gear for players and referees. • Opened June 29 • 4060 W. University Drive, Ste. 100, McKinney • www.thesoccercorner.com

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• Opened June 7 • 3755 S. Lake Forest Drive, Ste. 200, McKinney • Instagram: Bahama Mama McKinney 3 Cajun Fish Grill The restaurant serves gumbo, jambalaya, boiled shrimp and other Cajun favorites. It also serves po’boys and a number of grilled fish dishes. • Opened July 1 • 2960 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 5, McKinney • www.cajunfishgrill.com 4 Deviled Egg Co. The McKinney location offers a variety of deviled eggs as well as egg salad and open-faced bagel sandwiches, Founder and CEO Raechel Van Buskirk said. • Opened July 13

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1 Aspen Dental The dental office offers checkups, crowns, oral surgery and emergency dental care. • Opened in late May • 1514 W. University Drive, McKinney • www.aspendental.com 2 Bahama Mama The store sells a variety of vape, CBD and smoke products including hookahs, hand pipes and disposable vaping devices.

Coming soon

10 Smalls Sliders The quick-service restaurant will offer cheeseburger

FUNDED IN PART BY CITY OF McKINNEY

COMMISSION

FUNDED IN PART BY CITY OF McKINNEY

COMMISSION

www.millhousefoundation.org/makers-market www.millhousefoundation.org/artfest

FUNDED IN PART BY CITY OF McKINNEY

COMMISSION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

13 Village on the Park McKinney The senior living facility formerly known as HarborChase of McKinney changed ownership and rebranded in March, and is now operated by senior living hospitality firm Aspenwood. • 265 Plateau Drive, McKinney • www.villageontheparkmckinney.com

sliders, waffle-cut fries and milkshakes. • Opening in late 2024 • Located on the southwest corner of North Hardin Boulevard and West University Drive • www.smallssliders.com

Now open

Expansion

11 Collin College A $2M grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration will allow Collin College to expand its Plano campus to construct health care instruction facilities, according to a news release. • 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano • www.collin.edu

Closings

14 Tabu Shabu The business offered Japanese hot pot dishes consisting of a base, rice or noodle option and a protein option. • Closed June 30 • 1620 N. Hardin Blvd., Ste 1000, McKinney • www.tabushabu.com

15 BMW of McKinney The dealership offers new BMW vehicles as well as certified and pre-owned cars, according to its website. Over 400 cars and trucks are available on the dealership’s lot, a press release stated. The dealership spans over 70,000-square-feet on a 14.5- acre site and includes 47 service bays. The dealership is the second BMW franchise in Texas owned by Hendrick Automotive Group. • Opened July 8 • 2601 N. Central Expressway, McKinney • www.bmwofmckinney.com

In the news

Worth the trip

12 MillHouse McKinney The women-led art organization surpassed five years of operations on June 19, CEO and Executive Director Beth Beck said. In that time, the organization has grown to occupy over 14,000-square-feet of space inside the McKinney Cotton Mill. • 610 Elm St., Ste. 1000, McKinney • www.millhousemckinney.com

WorldSprings The recreational wellness destination offers 46 mineral soaking pools, eight saunas, a 12-room spa facility, and a restaurant and bar at Grandscape in The Colony. • Opened June 28 • 3240 Plano Parkway, The Colony • www.worldsprings.com

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Impacts

West McKinney

omelets, eggs Benedict and breakfast tacos as well as a lunch menu featuring sandwiches and salads. • Opened June 26 • 6651 Alma Road, Ste. 250, McKinney • www.thebrokenyolkcafe.com/location/mckinney 5 Piada The restaurant serves customizable bowls, pasta, salads and piadas, a type of wrap. • Opened June 18 • 8801 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney • www.mypiada.com 6 Redline Athletics The business offers fitness training for youth athletes. • Opened June 17 • 8410 W. University Drive, Bldg. C, McKinney • www.redlineathletics.com/mckinney 7 The Liquor Yard The family-owned store sells a variety of liquors such as vodka, whiskey and tequila as well as beer and wine. • Opened June 18 • 4100 Ridge Road, Ste. 109, McKinney • Instagram: The Liquor Yard

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4 Broken Yolk Cafe The restaurant offers a breakfast menu including

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READY, SET, SMILE!

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

In the news

Coming soon

Now open

11 Kura Revolving Sushi Bar Construction on the restaurant, which serves sushi on a revolving conveyor belt, is expected to be complete in early 2025, according to a project filing with the Texas Department of Licensing. • 8585 W. University Drive, Ste. 150, McKinney • www.kurasushi.com 12 Santorini Greek Grill The Mediterranean restaurant closed in January for renovations that changed the restaurant from full service to fast casual dining and reopened April 29. • 7810 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 280, McKinney • www.santorinigreekgrill.com

8 Assimilation Golf The business will offer two indoor bays featuring golf simulator technology from Trackman as well as a putting green and golf-specific fitness equipment. • Opening in July • 8400 W. University Drive, Ste. 401, McKinney • www.assimilationgolf.com 9 Cubana Grille The Nigerian-Jamaican fusion restaurant will serve wraps, fish and turkey. • Opening in July • 4051 S. Custer Road, Ste. 1160, McKinney • www.cubanagrille.com 10 Michael Anthony Photography The business will offer portrait photography, wedding photography and corporate headshots. • Opening in August • 8430 W. University Drive, Ste. 209, McKinney • www.michaelanthonyphotography.com

13 Jetset Pilates The 2,500-square-foot studio offers 50-minute custom classes focusing on strength training, cardio and conditioning, according to the company’s website. “I am so excited to introduce the west McKinney community to an experience I know they will love as much as I do,” co-owner Alycia O’Leary said in the release. • Opened July 7 • 3241 S. Custer Road, Ste. 103, McKinney • www.jetsetpilates.com/west-mckinney

Worth the trip

Netflix House The entertainment venue coming to the Galleria will offer immersive experiences as well as merchandise and food based on Netflix shows and movies. • Opening in 2025 • 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas • www.netflixhouse.com

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Government

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

McKinney leaders increase, approve local tax exemptions disabilities occurred in June 2023, with the exemp- tion increasing from $80,000 to $85,000. The new exemption will go into effect Oct. 1 for fiscal year 2024-25, city documents state. Also of note Council members also approved an ordinance Homestead exemption for eligible residents $60K $80K $100K

McKinney City Council unanimously approved increasing the residential homestead exemption from $85,000 to $90,000 for residents age 65 and older as well as individuals with disabilities during a June 25 special meeting. Council member Charlie Philips was absent for the vote. The specifics For every $5,000 increase in the homestead exemption, eligible homeowners will pay $21 less in taxes at the existing tax rate, and noneligible homeowners will pay $3.34 more in taxes given the tax rate, according to a presentation at a June 18 work session. The city’s tax rate is $0.427513 per $100 valuation. Homestead exemptions allow Texas home- owners to save money on their property tax bills by lowering the property value used to calculate property taxes owed. The last increase to the homestead exemption for residents age 65 and older and those with

$40K

that offers a 100% local property tax exemption for qualified child care facilities in the city, with council member Patrick Cloutier voting against the item. The program is a result of Texas voters approv- ing a constitutional amendment to allow child care facilities to receive local property tax exemptions as part of last November’s election. According to a presentation at the meeting, eligible facilities must: • Be a licensed child care facility • Participate in the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Rising Stars program • Have at least 20% of enrolled students who

$20K

2021

2022

2020

2023

2024*

SOURCE: COLLIN CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT/COMMUNITY IMPACT *NEW RATE EFFECTIVE OCT. 1, 2024

receive subsidized child care through the TWC Out of 17 McKinney child care facilities that participate in the Texas Rising Star program, four are eligible to receive the 100% local property tax exemption, Chief Financial Officer Mark Holloway said. The exemption would redistribute $19,000 of the tax levy, he said.

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BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

5 historic homes to remain in McKinney Five homes in McKinney will remain in the city’s historic district after a June 18 City Council vote. McKinney’s Historic Preservation Advisory

1 301 S. Kentucky St. Demolition Proposed actions 2 311 S. Kentucky St.

Relocation

3 303 S. Kentucky St. 4 305 S. Kentucky St. 5 312 S. Tennessee St.

demolitions or relocations at each property, which are located on the 300 block of Kentucky Street and at 312 S. Tennessee St. The certificate is required for any new con- struction, redevelopment or other alterations to properties within McKinney’s Historic Overlay District that can be seen from the public right of way, according to the city’s website. The applicant opted to request demolition for two of the homes due to existing structural issues, said Jeremy Jones, a representative of the appli- cant Barratt Properties, at the May 2 meeting. If approved, the sites would have seen a redevel- opment project including 240 multifamily units in a four-story apartment community, Jones said. Bob Roeder, representing the applicant, noted all five certificates of appropriateness were granted in 2022 but expired after on year. At the time, the process did not include approval by the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, he said.

DAVIS ST.

Board voted May 2 to prevent the demolition of two of the homes in this district and relocate three others. McKinney City Council’s vote upheld this decision. “We’re protective of the Historic District,” coun- cil member Patrick Cloutier said. “I am concerned about what goes there.” The city’s Historic Overlay District encompasses an area between US 75 and SH 5 that has zoning restrictions intended to maintain the historic character of properties in the area, according to the city’s development code. The specifics The demolitions and relocations would allow for a redevelopment of these sites, Director of Planning Jennifer Arnold said. The requests were to acquire a certificate of appropriateness for

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Government

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

A new public transportation option, the McKin- ney Downtown Trolley, began operating July 5. The details The new trolley oers rides on a xed route in and around downtown. It operates from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday each week as well as during special events. The trolley is also available to rent, according to the city’s website. The trolley’s route takes about 20 minutes to complete a full circuit, according to the city’s website. Riders will board the trolley at designated pickup stops but are able to get o the trolley at any point along the route. The 21-foot-long, 14,500-pound trolley seats 14 passengers in addition to the driver, who will oer historical and educational facts about the city during trolley rides. The trolley rides are free, with the option to provide tips to the trolley driver, Cultural District Director Andrew Jones said. However, Jones said the primary goal of the trol- ley is addressing mobility challenges in the area, such as crossing active roadways. For instance, a visitor to the downtown square could utilize the trolley to get to Tupps Brewery on the east side of SH 5 rather than crossing the highway on foot. “This helps increase the mobility of everybody around downtown, ... but we want that experience to be enlightening, educational and also enjoy- able,” Jones said. The route will pass destinations in the down- town area including McKinney City Hall, the McKinney Performing Arts Center, the Collin County History Museum, and the Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library. It also passes various parking lots and garages. Diving deeper The trolley cost about $211,000 and was funded by the McKinney Community Development Corp. and McKinney Main Street as well as hotel occupancy tax funds, the city’s website states. The trolley will be maintained by McKinney Main Street, with annual operating expenses estimated at $25,000, Jones said. The trolley will replace the DASH system, a free downtown shuttle that utilized a six-seat golf cart for on-demand transportation around downtown. “We knew there was a huge opportunity to make New trolley oers free rides around downtown

Trolley route Trolley stops

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the DASH experience better and have it feel more connected to our history, and also be a great fun experience,” Jones said. Jones said he does not anticipate an impact to the ow of trac in downtown as a result of trolley operations. “You will see it around, and you may have to slow down while somebody hops on or gets dropped o, but that’s happening already; we already have our DASH,” he said. The setup Jones said there were multiple trolleys that have run through downtown McKinney in the past. The rst interurban commuter train car system in the area debuted in 1907 and spanned from Dallas to Denison, with the McKinney portion trav- eling along Kentucky Street. The system operated for more than 40 years before closing, the city’s website states. Jones said the city’s new trolley is numbered “151” in honor of the rst trolley that operated downtown. Jones noted city sta aimed to select a trolley that had a similar look to the interurban cars that operated from the 1930s to the 1950s. The design also inspired the new trolley’s paint scheme and signage, he said. “We wanted to nd the one model of the inter- urban that most people recognize,” Jones said.

Riders will board the trolley at designated pickup stops but are able to get o the trolley at any point.

COURTESY CITY OF MCKINNEY

Quote of note “Downtown is unique because of its history, because of the unique architecture and also our independent small businesses,” Jones said. “[The trolley] helps us serve them and the community down here.”

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

McKinney ISD ocials are expecting to dip into the district’s reserve general fund to balance the scal year 2024-25 budget. The $392.82 million budget was approved by the board of trustees June 24 in a 6-1 vote, with trustee Chad Green voting against approval. The board previously discussed the budget planning process in March and May. The breakdown While $273.36 million in expenditures is budgeted for in the general fund, district ocials expect actual expenditures to be $267.35 million—a variance of $6 million. To address the budget shortfall, $21.79 million will be reallocated from the district’s reserve fund balance. A district’s fund balance should hold enough money for a district MISD to dip into fund balance to address shortfall

General fund: $273.36M Debt service fund: $105.27M Food service fund: $14.19M

Total: $392.82M

SOURCE: MCKINNEY ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

to operate for 75 days, according to the Texas Association of School Administrators. The district will have $73.96 million remaining in its fund balance at the end of the 2024-25 scal year. Looking ahead District ocials remain optimistic the Texas Legislature will provide additional funding to schools in the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January, said Dennis Womack, assistant superintendent of business, operations and technol- ogy. In the fall, district ocials will present a list of budget cut options ready to implement if they are needed, he said.

Welcome Back students & teachers!

Spend life

learning.

Spending Life Wisely means taking small steps towards a life of love and impact. And we’re here to inspire and empower you along the way with information that educates, empowers, and inspires each person to reach their highest purpose and realize their greatest success.

"When we’ve come to nancial emergencies or crises, [the board] has allowed the district to continue to operate without having to make draconian cuts or school closures." DENNIS WOMACK, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF BUSINESS, OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY

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Schools to see new safety systems

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Five McKinney ISD campuses and facilities will receive new weapon detection systems in the 2024-25 school year. The $1.27 million purchase of Evolv security systems was approved by the board of trustees June 24. The purchase of the sys- tem will be covered through 2021 safety and security bond funds.

The details The systems will be installed at all MISD high schools, the MISD Stadium and the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program campus before the 2024-25 school year. The security systems uses technology to screen people and detect if they are carrying weapons as they enter schools.

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Transportation

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Ongoing projects

1 East Virginia Street and Throckmorton Street reconstruction Project: Improvements planned include reconstruction of the roadway as well as underground utility work, roadway illumination and improvements to the hardscape and landscape. The work will also include adding a single lane roundabout at the intersection of the two roadways. Update: East Virginia Street will remain closed throughout the duration of the project, according to city documents. The closure will allow crews to make up time lost due to prior construction delays. Detours will be routed along East Louisiana Street. Portions of the roadway may be reopened as construction continues. • Timeline: early 2024-April 2025 • Cost: $13 million • Funding source: city of McKinney, North Central Texas Council of Governments 2 East Louisiana Street improvements Project: Work on the roadway includes paving, drainage improvements, as well as pedestrian and hardscape elements. This project also includes construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Louisiana Street and Greenville Street. Update: The roadway is open to two-way traffic, U N I V E R S IT Y D R . VIRGINIA PKWY. 380 MCKINNEY

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according to the city’s website. The construction crews continue work on the sidewalks, landscape and hardscape. Repaving of adjacent roadways, Green Street and Andrews Street, has also been completed. • Timeline: June 2022-summer 2024 • Cost: $9 million • Funding source: city of McKinney, North Central Texas Council of Governments 3 Wilmeth Road connection Project: This project includes construction of a new four-lane divided roadway connecting Wilmeth Drive

O Update: The project has seen construction delays due to conflicts with underground utilities. City staff is working to open the new Wilmeth Road lanes prior to the completion of the intersection at Hardin Boulevard, according to city documents. • Timeline: March 2022-summer 2024 • Cost: $25 million • Funding source: city of McKinney, Collin County UISIANA ST. VIRGINIA ST. between Lake Forest Drive and Hardin Boulevard as well as three multilane roundabouts along the new stretch of Wilmeth Road at the intersections of Lake Forest Drive, Taylor Burk Drive and Hardin Boulevard. INDUSTRIAL BLVD.

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Imagine a community where your loved one can truly

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Development

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Tek Leaders, a global IT services rm, is set to relocate its headquarters and 140 employees to McKinney, according to a news release. A new pickleball and badminton facility is being developed on the same site in conjunction with the Tek Leaders oce building. The details Oce, pickleball facility under construction in west McKinney step in our mission to innovate and lead in the data solutions sector,” Aerrabolu said in the release. “We look forward to contributing to and thriving in this vibrant community.” Construction work on the site began in early 2024, and is expected to be completed in Decem- ber 2025. Diving deeper The Pickleball and Badminton Academy of

Tek Leaders, currently located in Plano, was founded by Devender Aerrabolu in 2008 and provides custom IT solutions for clients. Its new headquarters will be located at the northeast corner of Custer Road and Silverado Trail in west McKinney. The three-story oce building will span 30,000 square feet and will include an additional penthouse-level space, the release stated. The company plans to relocate current employ- ees as well as create over 100 new jobs in McKin- ney, according to the release. “Relocating to McKinney marks a signicant

Tek Leaders will debut its new McKinney headquarters in late 2025.

America facility will span 35,000 square feet and will include 16 indoor badminton courts, according to a news release. The facility will also feature 10 pickleball courts, with six courts inside the facility and four outdoor courts. The new sports venue will serve players of all ages and skill levels, the release stated, and will oer beginner classes, advanced training sessions and local tournaments. The facility is set to open in February 2025 and is expected to create as many as 30 jobs.

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Events

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

• Lone Star Winery, 103 E. Virginia St. • www.lonestarwinecellars.com

• 305 E. Virginia St., Ste. 104 • www.thecomedyarena.com

July

Magical Moth Night The Heard Museum will celebrate National Moth Week. Attendees will use gentle lights to attract moths. • July 27, 8-11 p.m. • $9-$12; 50% discount for members • 1 Nature Place • www.heardmuseum.org Forever Plaid This musical tells the story of four young singers who die in a car crash and then posthumously take the stage for one nal gig. • July 26, 27, Aug. 2, 3, 9, 10, times vary • $22.50-$47.50 • McKinney Performing Arts Center, 111 N. Tennessee St. • www.mckinneytexas.org/117/performing-arts-center

Finale Fest The McKinney Public Library will host a street carnival featuring games, performances and vendors. • Aug. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Free • John and Judy Gay Library, 6861 Eldorado Parkway • www.mckinneytexas.org Even It Up Heart tribute band Even It Up will perform at Hub 121. Restaurants in the area will oer food and drinks.

Downtown McKinney Classic Car Show Downtown McKinney will host a classic car show. Awards will be given for best car, best truck and more. • Aug. 17, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. • Free (admission) • 307 N. Kentucky St. • Facebook: Downtown McKinney Classic Car Show Rise and Shop Attendees of this downtown McKinney shopping event will nd exclusive samples, sales, discounts and oers from participating businesses. • Aug. 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • $15 • 111 N. Tennessee St. • www.visitmckinney.com McKinney Literary Fest The McKinney Public Library will host a two-day event for writers featuring workshops, panels and networking opportunities intended to inspire adult-age authors. • Aug. 17-18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free • John and Judy Gay Library, 6861 Eldorado Parkway • www.mckinneytexas.org

• Aug 10, 8-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • 7570 SH 121 S. • www.hub121.com/calendar

Seth James Country musician Seth James will perform at the Guitar Sanctuary. The concert will have a full bar and food service available from Zin Zen Wine Bistro. • Aug. 24, 8-11 p.m. • $25-$150 • The Sanctuary Music & Events Center, 6633 Virginia Parkway • www.thesanctuarymckinney.com

Premium Wine and Hutchins BBQ Pairing Experience Lone Star Winery is hosting a guided wine and barbecue pairing. Attendees will learn about each pairing from a certied wine expert. The tasting is for wine beginners and experts. • Aug. 13, 20, 27, 7-8:30 p.m. • $44

August

Dinosaurs Live Dinosaurs Live is returning to the Heard Museum. The seasonal exhibit features life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move in a natural environment and features facts about the dinosaurs exhibited.

• Aug. 31-Feb. 17, 2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free (with admission) • 1 Nature Plaza • www.heardmuseum.org

Tim Ketchersid The Comedy Arena will host comedian Tim Ketchersid. • Aug. 1, 7:30-9 p.m. • $15

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Real estate

BY PRESTON RAVIN

Home Edition

2024

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Home Edition! This guide features news ranging from key real estate trends and new developments unique to your neighborhood to an overview of the housing industry across Texas. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists, and all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news—please show them your gratitude by supporting local businesses. Trash and recycling impacts every resident and our cover story this month looks into why the city changed providers and how the process is going. You can also get a look ahead at an estimated increase in monthly cost for trash and recycling services across the city. Our coverage in this edition also expands on local tax exemptions, preservation efforts in McKinney’s historic district, and how businesses like Tek Leaders are adding employment opportunities to our community. You can also learn more about a new housing voucher program created to aid qualified McKinney residents ages 62 and older amidst rising housing costs. Whether you’ve lived in McKinney a long time or are new to the community, I hope you’ll find this edition useful and informative. We value your readership and feedback. Reach out to us at mcknews@communityimpact.com with feedback, questions or news tips.

What's inside

Local voucher program to aid qualified residents (Page 19)

Miranda Talley General Manager mtalley@ communityimpact.com

Survey identifies preservation priorities for historic homes (Page 20)

Check out local residential real estate market data (Page 21)

What North Texas homeowners should know about solar panels As more Dallas-Fort Worth residents are consider- ing a switch to solar energy, a local expert weighed in on what homeowners may need to consider. In an effort to explore the growing impact of solar energy within the community Lori Clark, senior program manager at North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Transportation Department, broke down how solar panels can be useful for homeown- ers. She also advises how homeowners can find more information about solar panels. How do solar panels work? Solar panels are made out of primarily silicon sheets, but the sunlight energizes electrons in the solar panels themselves, which start moving around and create current, which creates electricity. So as long as you’ve got sunlight, and it doesn’t have to be full sun—cloudy days work too—those solar panels are able to create energy on site. How much energy do solar panels provide? So there’s several key terms that you should know. One is a cell, which is like an individual square, generally of silicon material. If you see

a solar panel, you see a lot of little squares, sur- rounded by silver outlines. Each individual square is a cell, and those cells are connected to each other in a single solar panel. I have a system on my roof of 24 panels. Most home solar panels are between 350 and 450 watts of power. That’s about enough power to run something like a TV or a microwave to power an entire home. You generally need 17 to 21 panels. What are the benefits of having solar panels? The benefit of higher electricity cost is that it makes solar more beneficial economically, because you’re generating your own power, so that’s power that you don’t have to pay the utility for. You still have to pay every month to be connected to the electric grid, and you do have to pay the capital cost of installing that solar array, but the cost of installing solar has come down like 90% over the past decade, so it’s much less expensive now than it used to be. There’s also a resilience benefit. During the winter storm, there were several people who had solar and battery storage in their homes, and they didn’t lose power, it’s able to run off of solar. What are some drawbacks of solar panels? The number one drawback is that they can be expensive, depending on how much you install at a home. You’re not necessarily going to see the payback in a single year. It may take a few years for you to see the cost savings, so you have to be able to handle that upfront capital cost.

COURTESY LORI CLARK

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Local voucher program to aid residents

Qualified participants include:

Households making between 30%-50% of the area median income of $113,286

A new program from the city of McKinney could help residents at risk of losing their housing. McKinney City Council members unanimously approved a local gap housing voucher program as part of the consent agenda at a May 21 meeting. The gist The local gap voucher program will offer fund- ing for qualified McKinney residents. The pilot program will offer vouchers for 10 households and is estimated to cost $150,000 for the first year. The funding will be sourced from the McKinney Public Facility Corporation, which has a fund balance of $500,000, according to city documents. Program participants would pay up to 30% of their income toward rent, rather than their full housing costs. The program will follow guidelines similar to those in place for the city’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance program. City staff aim to continue the program using

revenue from a public-private partnership between the city and development firm JPI. The partnership created a 383-unit affordable housing development, the Jefferson Verdant, that is expected to generate $420,000 annually, said Cristel Todd, interim director of the Housing and Community Development department, at a May 21 work session prior to the regular meeting. What they’re saying Todd said the program will assist in preventing seniors or people with disabilities from becoming homeless while on the growing waitlist for a Housing Choice Voucher. Council member Patrick Cloutier said rising housing costs are impacting residents on fixed incomes, such as those who receive Social Security. “This is a growing problem. ... These people might be homeless if it weren’t for this kind of program,” Cloutier said.

Seniors age 62 and older

People with disabilities

Households living in tax credit apartments that have seen price increases

SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

“We’re trying to help folks that ... already receive assistance. They’ve lived here a really long time … but because our housing prices are increasing so dramatically … they are on the verge of having to leave or being kicked out.” KIM FLOM, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Real estate

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Survey identifies preservation priorities for historic homes, buildings in McKinney

Survey area The historically significant area surveyed is larger than the city’s designated Historic Overlay District. While the survey area included the roughly 1,300 properties located in the Historic Overlay District, nearly 5,000 properties outside of the district were also surveyed, according to the report.

A recently completed survey of buildings in East McKinney identified over 3,300 historically signifi- cant properties, according to city documents. The gist The survey included assessing over 6,200 prop- erties in a designated, 4.9-square-mile historically significant area identified by city staff. The survey area also included the Historic Overlay District, which is a smaller area inside the historically significant area that receives additional oversight and regulations from the city in an effort to preserve historic properties, Historic Preservation Planner Cassie Bumgarner said. Both designations identify an area with properties of historic significance. The survey was conducted by Hicks & Company Environmental Archeological Consultants as well as subconsultants. Bumgarner said the process included field surveys of the properties, which included taking photographs and assessing the architectural details of each property as could be seen from public streets. Diving deeper The report is helpful in documenting change over time, Bumgarner said, as well as to ensure regulatory processes on building alterations are being followed. Prior surveys were completed in the 1980s, 2005 and 2015. “It’s really helpful to see change over time, and the more frequently you do surveys and have these photos, the more you can see [change] over time,” Bumgarner said.

The survey report outlined a number of recom- mendations for city leaders and staff, including conducting additional surveys on a regular sched- ule, such as every 5-10 years, Bumgarner said. The recommendations also detailed a poten- tial expansion of the Historic Overlay District. Bumgarner said city staff are considering the expansion as well as other potential options, including creation of a cultural district. By the numbers Of the over 6,200 properties in the survey area, 3,338 were identified as historic resources. The properties include residences and businesses as well as other buildings and structures. The properties identified as historic resources were also assigned a preservation priority rating of either high, medium or low. Properties given a high rating have structural integrity and “are excellent examples of architectural styles or types,” while lower rated properties may have seen alterations or exhibited an architectural style that is in abundance in the area, the survey report states. Over 50 properties changed in historic priority rating compared to the 2015 survey, with more than half moving to a lower rating. “McKinney is not unique in the fact that some of these ratings go up and some of them go down over time,” Director of Planning Jennifer Arnold said at a May 21 meeting. “That’s the balance that we have to try [to] navigate to make sure that we are still a vibrant, redeveloping downtown.”

Historic Overlay District Historically Significant Area

380

W. VIRGINIA ST.

W. LOUISIANA ST.

WILSON CREEK PKWY.

“The historic resource survey doesn’t ... disrupt daily life ... but it provides a lot of value to us and in the future, so I would love to see people support more regular surveys,” CASSIE BUMGARNER, HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNER

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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