DEVELOPMENT City leaders assess 3 options, give direction for proposed design of deck park connection
DESIGNING THE DECK Multiple options for the design of the deck park were presented to city council members.
Preferred design: Inverted Deck Park
BY SHELBIE HAMILTON
Beller said. McKinney Mayor George Fuller expressed support for the project, noting the potential for it to connect the downtown area to future developments including city hall. “We have an opportunity ... to do a legacy project funded 100% by a federal government that sees a value in it, that would create, again, a legacy project with a huge amenity in our downtown,” Fuller said. The options City staff first presented different options for a deck park to McKinney City Council members in 2022. The connection would use community spaces to bridge the two sides of the highway at Virginia Street and Louisiana Street. The inverted deck park alternative preferred by council members would be constructed underneath SH 5 with the road remaining at street level. The North Central Texas Council of Governments has committed up to $30 million for the inverted deck park option. Other options included a deck park, in which SH 5 would be routed underneath the park. City staff has identified this design as a less viable possibility, Flom said. Another choice presented is the enhancement of the existing crossing, creating two distinct parks at Virginia and Louisiana streets. The deck park and inverted deck park options are estimated to need between $2-$2.5 million in annual operations and maintenance costs, while the third option of enhancing the existing crossing would require $100,000, according to the presentation. All of the connection options would require the portion of SH 5 from FM 546 to US 380 to be taken off of the TxDOT’s maintenance and control system, Graham said. The city would assume maintenance costs for the road segment, Graham said.
McKinney city leaders have identified an inverted deck park design as their preferred option for a pedestrian connection project downtown. The project The proposed deck park would connect each side of the roadway through a public park space, either at or below street level, creating an alternative pedes- trian crossing. The proposed project is focusing on a pedestrian connection across SH 5 in the downtown area of McKinney, according to an April 18 presentation. SH 5 bisects the downtown cultural district and the city’s historic neighborhoods on the east side. There are multiple factors spurring the development of SH 5, including the redevelopment initiative the city is working on for the east side of SH 5, which will feature a new city hall and other projects. Another factor is state plans to improve the road. “The city is evaluating alternatives to improve crossing safety, strengthen connections between communities currently divided by the highway, and further enhance the Historic Downtown McKinney Cultural District,” a statement on the city of McKin- ney’s website says. The reconstruction of SH 5 by the Texas Depart- ment of Transportation is about 70% designed and is expected to begin construction in late 2024, McKin- ney Director of Engineering Gary Graham said. Council direction Council members offered a variety of feedback, with some criticism of the proposed project. Council Member Justin Beller noted the project doesn’t support solving problems the SH 5 corridor currently faces, including improving crossings at other intersections along the highway. “We have bigger problems along this entire corridor that needs solutions, and I don’t see this as a solution to any of those problems that we have,”
RENDERINGS COURTESY CITY OF MCKINNEY
• Road remains at ground level, park constructed under the roadway
• Estimated $40-$45 million • Five properties impacted
Alternate option: Deck Park
• Park constructed at ground level, roadway routed underground below the park • Estimated $85-$95 million • 27 properties impacted
Alternate option: Enhanced crossing
• Road and park both remain at ground level, the crossing is enhanced with two park areas on either side of the roadway • Estimated $3 million
• No land acquisition needs identified SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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