McKinney | November 2024

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McKinney Edition VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8 NOV. 22DEC. 23, 2024

Bypass process begins Businesses close ahead of US 380 land acquisitions

Stores and restaurants along US 380, including White Rhino Coee and Jason’s Deli, have closed ahead as TxDOT representatives work to purchase land in the path of the US 380 bypass project.

SHELBIE HAMILTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

as many as 38 businesses and 26 residences, the completed bypass is expected to address roadway congestion for as many as 30 years into the future, TxDOT Public Information Ocer Madison Schein said in an email.

So far, three businesses have closed in the shop- ping center at the northwest corner of University Drive and Walnut Grove Road—Jason’s Deli, White Rhino Coee and 3Natives, all citing right-of-way acquisitions for the bypass. Although the project is expected to displace

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

As the Texas Department of Transportation makes progress on projects along US 380 in Collin and Denton counties, McKinney residents have begun to feel the impact due to multiple business closures.

CONTINUED ON 28

Also in this issue

Subscribe to our free daily email newsletter!

Election: McKinney voters expressed opposition to increasing City Council term limits, pay—see the full results (Page 12)

Business: Learn more about Traxxas, a McKinney-based radio-controlled car manufacturer (Page 33)

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Impacts

East McKinney

Coming soon

195

B L O OMDALE RD.

2 Shops at Wilmeth Plans are underway to open a new shopping center at the corner of Hardin Boulevard and Wilmeth Road, a leasing official confirmed in an email. The Shops at Wilmeth is expected to total 19,195 square feet of retail space, according to a project filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • Openings TBD • Southwest corner of Wilmeth Road and Hardin Boulevard, McKinney • www.hpiproperties.com 3 The Offices at McKinney Crossing The development includes plans for 17 buildings totaling 70,000 square feet upon buildout, according to Cloudloft’s website. The developer has filed plans for four buildings so far, according to TDLR. • Opening TBD • Northwest corner of North Central Expressway and Justice Road, McKinney • www.cloudloft.net

JUSTICE RD.

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WILMETH RD.

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380

WHITE AVE.

ERWIN AVE.

VIRGINIA PKWY.

VIRGINIA ST.

LOUISIANA ST.

INDUSTRIAL BLVD.

Relocations

4 Maverick Power The company relocated its headquarters from Plano to McKinney earlier this year, company officials confirmed. The company manufactures power distribution equipment and solutions for various industries. • Relocated Aug. 8 • 951 Harry McKillop Blvd., McKinney • www.maverickpwr.com

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In the news

5 Christian Brothers Automotive James Stennett took over as owner of Christian Brothers Automotive on Sept. 1. The business offers several services, Stennett said, such as work for air conditioning, brakes, electrical systems and engine repair. • 3790 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney • www.cbac.com/mckinney

pasta dishes and more, owner Alessio Arzola said. Additionally, Arzola said his primary focus with the restaurant is catering services. • Opened Oct. 10 • 4150 W. Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 600, McKinney • www.tuttoitaliankitchen.com

Now open

1 Tutto Italian Kitchen Tutto Italian Kitchen is now open in McKinney. The restaurant offers meals to go such as panini sandwiches made with fresh baked focaccia bread as well as pizza,

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BY DUSTIN BUTLER, COLBY FARR & SHELBIE HAMILTON

6 The McKinney First Baptist Church Members of the church celebrated the completed renovations to its worship center with a ribbon cutting in October. • Opened Oct. 20 • 401 W. Erwin Ave., McKinney • www.tmfbc.com North Texas Giving Day North Texas Giving Day, which was held Sept. 19, saw new records as participants donated $68.3 million to over 3,000 local nonprofit organizations, according to a news release from Communities Foundation of Texas. The previous record of $66 million was set in 2021. • www.northtexasgivingday.org

Now open

Coming soon

8 Specs Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods The store offers a selection of alcoholic beverages including wines, beers and seltzers. The shop also offers a selection of spirits, including tequila, vodka, rum, whiskey and more. Other products offered include snacks and other food items, mixers, soft drinks, glassware and bar accessories. The McKinney location also features a selection of cigars. • Opened Nov. 1 • 2900 W. University Dr., Ste. 100, McKinney • www.specsonline.com

9 Fish N’ Tails Oyster Bar The restaurant, which has several locations north of Dallas, serves a variety of seafood dishes including ceviche, fish tacos and fried shrimp. Fish N’ Tails Oyster Bar will occupy the space vacated by Hank’s Texas Grill at the end of 2023. • Opening Dec. 1 • 1310 N. Central Expressway, McKinney • www.fishntails.com

Closings

7 Guitars and Growlers In a social media post, the company said it did not renew its lease. The announcement came shortly after the restaurant celebrated its fifth anniversary. The restaurant served sub sandwiches, paninis, nachos, chicken wings and more. • Closed Oct. 20 • 2741 Virginia Parkway, Ste. 500, McKinney • www.guitarsandgrowlers.com

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Impacts West McKinney

Now open

Coming soon

1 CubeSmart Self Storage The business offers storage units for rent, with various unit sizes available. The location also sells moving supplies, including boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap. • Opened Oct. 16 • 7150 Craig Ranch Parkway, McKinney • www.cubesmart.com 2 Westridge Dental Studio The business offers a number of services including deep cleaning, cosmetic bonding, dentures, teeth whitening and fillings. • Opened Oct. 6 • 1530 Independence Parkway, Ste. 150, McKinney • www.westridgedentalstudio.com 3 Office Evolution The facility spans over 9,000 square feet and offers both private offices and coworking spaces. The space also features meeting rooms, a community kitchen and other business center amenities. • Opened November 1 • 8720 Silverado Trail, McKinney • www.officeevolution.com/locations/mckinney

4 Brakes Plus McKinney City Council members approved a specific use permit for the business at an Oct. 15 meeting. Brakes Plus offers automotive services including repairs and maintenance. • Opening TBD • West side of Lake Forest Drive, just south of University Drive • www.brakesplus.com

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Relocations

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5 Cytracom Technology company Cytracom is set to relocate its headquarters to McKinney sometime in January. The company will move into the eight-story office tower at District 121 and will occupy about 30,000 square feet of office space in the building, including the entire top floor and some of the seventh floor, according to a news release. • Relocating in January 2025 • 7300 SH 121, McKinney • www.cytracom.com

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In the news

Now open

Coming soon

6 Chick-fil-A The restaurant reopened in early October following renovations to the restaurant, a representative said. The store was closed from July to October to accommodate the renovation work. • 8700 SH 121, McKinney • www.chick-fil-a.com 7 H-E-B H-E-B launched tap-to-pay services across all its Texas stores beginning Oct. 7, allowing customers to make quick, contactless payments using digital wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay. • 8700 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney • www.heb.com

9 Egg-Cited Brunch House The restaurant serves a number of breakfast items including omelets, eggs benedict, skillet dishes and more. The lunch menu includes salads, wraps, paninis and burgers. • Opened Oct. 23 • 7200 W. University Drive, Ste. 190, McKinney • www.eggcitedbrunchhouse.com

10 Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café The restaurant is set to open a location in McKinney’s West Grove development, according to a news release. The cafe serves sweet and savory crêpes, with flavors such as dulce de leche, s’mores and chicken alfredo. Other menu items include food items such as waffles, soups, salads and paninis, as well as beverages such as hot drinks, milkshakes and alcoholic drinks, according to its website. • Opening in the second quarter of 2025 • 8701 W. University Drive, Ste. 100, McKinney • www.sweetparis.com

Closings

8 3Natives The restaurant closed due to impacts of the upcoming US 380 bypass project. • Closed in late September • 8710 W. University Drive, Ste. 125, McKinney • www.3natives.com

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Government

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Council considers proposal for new 2,450-acre special district

A new municipal management district has been proposed for northwest McKinney, which could guide the development of the “last big tract of land” in the city, McKinney City Council Member Rick Franklin said. Council members discussed the proposed development at an Oct. 15 meeting, and indicated a consensus that city staff should proceed with negotiations with the property owner. The details The proposed Colmena Ranch development would span over 3.8 square miles, city documents state, which would make it larger than any other existing or planned special district in the city. An initial land use plan for the site includes nearly 1,400 acres dedicated to single family housing. Other planned uses include amenities, commercial developments and flex-use space for land uses such as multifamily housing or office buildings.

Diving in deeper The site under consideration is currently in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The property owner is interested in negotiating with city offi- cials regarding annexing the land into city limits and establishing zoning in exchange for the city leaders’ support to create the special district, said Michael Quint, executive director of Development Services, at the meeting. “We’ve been talking about Colmena Ranch, both internally inside the city and externally with random folks for the better part of two decades, so the fact that we’re here ... talking about it is a big moment,” Quint said. The negotiations would allow for the city to execute an agreement that would govern the land uses and development of the property, according to a presentation at the meeting. Quint said the development would be an opportunity to annex land from the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

New roads

COTTAGE HILL PKWY.

Proposed new district area

COLLIN COUNTY OUTER LOOP

LAKE FOREST DR.

City officials have seen challenges with annex- ing land in McKinney’s extraterritorial jurisdiction due to legislation in recent years that have limited the city’s annexation power. “I don’t think we have a choice but to engage in these conversations and try to find a way to bring them into the city,” Mayor George Fuller said.

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Government

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

McKinney could host World Cup training site McKinney could host a 2026 FIFA World Cup team following the development of a local training site, pending selection by the organization. Representatives of the Inpower IQ Performance Center presented a plan for the development of a “FIFA-sized” soccer field on city-owned land adjacent to the business’s existing facility, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Kinkade said at an Oct. 15 McKinney City Council meeting. The specifics The proposed field would be constructed on an undeveloped 4.4 acre site purchased by the city through bond funding in 2017. The land was ini- tially planned to accommodate a future expansion of the StarCenter but is currently undeveloped. Kinkade said the facility has already received preliminary approval from FIFA to serve as a training site for a World Cup team, but an outdoor

Sunset Amphitheater sees amendments McKinney City Council members approved amendments to the development agreement for the amphitheater planned for southeast McKinney in a 5-1 vote. Council member Justin Beller voted against the item, and Mayor Pro Tem Geré Feltus was absent from the Oct. 15 meeting. McKinney leaders approved the initial development agreement in April, which includes over $50 million in incentives. The details The first amendment allows for a change to the terms of purchase for the land. Other amendments included changes to the list of eligible operators, additional screening in the site plan and enabling the city to potentially use eminent domain for offsite infrastructure needs.

Proposed facility growth

Inpower IQ Performance Center Proposed soccer field City-owned land property boundary Proposed project site

COLLIN MCKINNEY PKWY.

S WAY

soccer field is needed to meet all requirements of the organization. City Council members expressed a unanimous interest in pursuing an agreement that would allow for the development of the field and supporting its potential use as a training site.

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Election

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

McKinney voters oppose increasing Council term limits, pay

McKinney voters have rejected two of four propositions on the November ballot, including measures that would have increased compen- sation and consecutive term limits allowed for McKinney City Council members. Over 88,000 McKinney residents cast a vote towards one or more of the propositions, repre- senting nearly 68% of registered voters in the city, according to the Collin County Elections Office. The gist • Proposition A asked voters to cast a vote for or against increasing term limits for council members from two consecutive, four-year terms to three consecutive, four-year terms. This proposition failed, with 42,176 votes against, representing 51.16% of votes cast. • Proposition B asked voters to increase the compensation of council members to $750 per month for newly elected council members and $1,000 per month for newly elected mayors. This proposition failed, with 44,962 votes against, representing 55.88% of votes cast. • Proposition C asked voters to allow city staff to make corrections to “errors” in the charter, such as misspellings and grammar issues, as well as revise references to state laws as needed. This proposition passed, earning 59,276 votes in favor, representing 74.19% of votes cast. • Proposition D asked voters to allow the charter be amended to remove provisions, practices and policies the city no longer uses. This proposition passed, receiving 58,321 votes in favor, repre- senting 72.78% of votes cast. Election results were certified by city officials at

Results breakdown

Winner

Proposition A

Proposition B

Shall Section 9 of the McKinney City Charter be amended to provide that mayor and city council members shall have term limits consisting of three (3) consecutive, four (4) year terms beginning with the 2025 election?

Shall Section 16 of the McKinney City charter be amended to provide for compensation of $750 per month for newly-elected council members and $1,000 per month for a newly-elected mayor beginning October 1, 2025?

48.84% For 51.16% Against

44.12% For 55.88% Against

Proposition C

Proposition D

Shall the McKinney City Charter be amended throughout to correct non-substantive errors such as misspellings, punctuations, grammar and sentence structure and revise references to obsolete provisions of state law and harmonize conflicting sections and conform notice and publication requirements to state law?

Shall the McKinney City Charter be amended to delete provisions, practices and policies which are no longer employed by the City of McKinney?

72.28% For 27.22% Against

74.19% For 25.81% Against

SOURCE: COLLIN COUNTY ELECTIONS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Sally Riche, president of the Citizens for McKin- ney PAC which supported passing all four proposi- tions, thanked McKinney voters in a statement. “We are grateful for everyone who came out to vote and have their voices heard,” she said in an emailed statement. “It was an extremely close race, and we believe as people continued to learn more about the propositions, they began to vote in favor, as can be seen by the numbers on Election Day, where we won nearly 60% of the vote.”

a Nov. 14 special meeting. What they’re saying

Tom Michero, president of the Keep McKinney Unique PAC that opposed Proposition A, said the failure of Proposition A will result in more citizen participation in McKinney’s local government. “Four seats on the City Council will become available in May of 2025,” Michero said in an emailed statement. “I encourage everyone to get involved in keeping McKinney unique.”

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Election

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Election results breakdown

Over 517,000 ballots were cast in Collin County, totalling 68.78% of registered voters, according to unofficial election results. All results are unofficial until canvassed.

For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

Incumbent

Democrat D

Green G

Libertarian L

Republican R

Winner

58.32% David J. Schenck 41.68% Holly Taylor Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, presiding judge R D

Local

Texas Senate, District 30

65.1% Brent Hagenbuch 34.9% Dale Frey

R D

U.S. Senate

53.15% Ted Cruz 44.46% Colin Allred 2.37% Ted Brown

R D L

58.95% Lee Finley 41.05% Chika Anyiam Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 58.43% Gina Parker 41.57% Nancy Mulder Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 R D R D

59.72% Keresa Richardson 40.28% Tony Adams Texas House Representative, District 61 61.24% Matt Shaheen 38.76% David W. Carstens Texas House Representative, District 66 R D 60.32% Jeff Leach 39.68% Makala L. Washington Texas House Representative, District 67 59.18% Scott Grigg 40.69% Stephanie Cooksey Collin County Tax Assessor Collector R D 61.42% Darrell Hale 38.58% Yvette Johnson Collin County Commissioner, Precinct 3 54.98% Sammy Knapp 45.02% Cesar Avila Collin County Constable, Precinct 3 R D R D R D R D

Texas Railroad Commissioner

55.71% Christi Craddick 38.91% Katherine Culbert 2.6% Hawk Dunlap 2.75% Eddie Espinoza

R D L G

US Representative, District 3

62.55% Keith Self 37.45% Sandeep Srivastava

R D

58.31% Jimmy Blacklock 41.69% DaSean Jones Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 2 57.42% Josh Devine 42.58% Christine Vinh Weems Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 4 R D 56.36% Jane Bland 40.38% Bonnie Lee Goldstein Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 6 R D

68.48% Pat Fallon 31.52% Simon Cardell US Representative, District 4 R D

63.43% Pam Little 36.57% George King State Board of Education, District 12 R D

R D L

Texas Senate, District 8

59.46% Angela Paxton 40.54% Rachel Mello

R D

3.26% J. David Roberson

SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, COLLIN COUNTY ELECTIONS/COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: SOME RACE TOTALS DO NOT EQUAL 100% DUE TO VOTES FOR WRITE-IN CANDIDATES.

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Education

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

The number of teachers leaving McKinney ISD slowed down in the 2023-24 school year, according to data presented by the district. The district saw a 2% decrease in its attrition rate from 2022-23, said Alana Chisum, MISD assis- tant superintendent of human resources, during a staffing strate- gies update at an Oct. 28 meeting. A closer look In the 2022-23 school year, MISD’s attrition rate was 19.1%— lower than other Collin County school districts of similar size, which had an average rate of 20.8%. The district’s attrition rate was also lower than the state’s average rate of 21.4%. “There is still much more work to be done … to ensure we are keeping our highly qualified staff here in the district,” Chisum said. The approach MISD’s Human Resources department has implemented McKinney ISD sees decrease in teacher turnover

Teacher experience with MISD 0 years 7.6% 1-5 years 21.4%

6-10 years 18.9%

11-20 years 33.5%

Over 20 years 18.6%

SOURCE: MCKINNEY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

initiatives for recruiting and retaining teachers, Chisum said. The district issued 71 letters of intent to prospective teach- ers who attended a job fair in February. Of those who received letters, 49 are now current MISD employees, she said. “We absolutely see this as a suc- cessful initiative,” Chisum said. The student teacher program is another recruitment method, she said. The district had 28 future educators from nine universities join MISD for the fall semester. “Our goal is to offer a great experience for these students so they want to stay in MISD,” Chisum said.

McKinney ISD receives ‘superior’ rating for financial integrity

data from the 2022-23 school year. The background MISD has received a superior rating since the 2014-15 school year, except for last year’s rating of C due to a reporting error of federal emergency funds for the COVID-19 pandemic, according to district data. The district appealed the score, but was denied and did not receive any communication from the TEA as to why the appeal was denied, district officials said.

McKinney ISD earned a “superior” rating of its financial integrity during the 2022-23 school year. The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, also called FIRST, is issued by the TEA, and provides accountability for Texas public schools, said Dennis Womack, assistant superinten- dent of business operations. The FIRST rating is considered lagging data as the score for the 2023-24 school year is based on financial

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Transportation

BY DUSTIN BUTLER & COLBY FARR

McKinney railroad gets $16.75M grant

121

A local railroad running through McKinney was one of more than 120 railway projects across the U.S. that was awarded federal funding on. Oct. 29 for enhancing safety and improving performance. The gist The Federal Railroad Admin- istration awarded up to $16.75 million to the Dallas, Garland, and Northeastern Railroad for a rail safety and efficiency project. The improvements are planned for a portion of the rail that runs between McKinney and Sherman, according to an Oct. 29 news release. The project plans to replace and rehabilitate the rail, ballast and surfacing as well as install rail lubricators, the release stated. In addition to the federal funds, the Dallas, Garland, Northeastern Railroad will contribute 30% to the project in local match funds. What they’re saying Ross Lane, assistant vice president of government affairs for Genesee and Wyoming, the company that owns the railroad,

380

McKinney

said the DGNO provides critical first and last mile connectivity to the national freight rail network. “Collectively, we believe that enhancing DGNO infrastructure will result in robust benefits to the public,” he said in an email. “These public benefits include expanded workforce development and job creation opportunities, increased economic competitive- ness for the area served by the DGNO, and a reduction in wait times at railroad crossings for the traveling public.” The project is projected to cost nearly $23.94 million total and is expected to begin construction in early 2026, Lane said. Construc- tion on the project is expected to finish in late 2026.

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The Melissa Road extension into the Trinity Falls master-planned community has officially opened, according to a news release issued by Johnson Development. Per the release, Melissa Road offers improved access for resi- dents, businesses, and visitors, connecting Parkland Crescent directly to US 75.

“Opening Melissa Road to Trinity Falls marks a major milestone for our community,” Trinity Fall vice president and general manager Jerry Ulke said in the release. The roadway also includes pedestrian walkways and green spaces, and monuments are expected to be added along the roadway following the opening.

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Development

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Elite Garages McKinney is set to debut luxury garage condominiums in McKinney in summer of 2025. The development, located at the southwest corner of Hardin Boulevard and Virginia Parkway, will feature over 60 units spread across ve buildings, with units ranging in size from 1,300 to 1,900 square feet. The customizable garage units, which are available for sale or lease, can be used to store things like luxury cars, motorcycles, RVs, boats and personal watercraft. “Elite Garages will be a place for the community of car enthusiasts in McKinney to store and work on their toys,” the business’s website states. Luxury storage garages planned

Looking ahead

The project, which broke ground in early October, is expected to see vertical construction begin in February, a project representative said. Completion of the project shell is expected in August. McKinney City Council members unanimously approved a rezoning request to allow for the development of the project at an April meeting.

The development is set to debut in McKinney in 2025.

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Development

BY ALEX REECE

Plans to turn land around Toyota Stadium into a mixed-use district and renovate the stadium itself are in motion as Frisco looks to provide a better venue for both soccer and non-athletic events. Frisco City Council members approved three agreements during a Sept. 17 meeting that make up a multimillion-dollar, public-private partnership for Toyota Stadium renovations and mixed-use district construction. The stadium, which opened in 2005, has not undergone major upgrades since 2018. The agreement includes: • A reimbursement and performance agreement for stadium improvements • A master development agreement to develop land around Toyota Stadium into a new sports- anchored mixed-use district • A fourth amendment to the stadium’s lease, setting the terms of the renovation reimbursement payments and a project timeline The renovations will take place in phases Toyota Stadium’s $182M renovation to kick off in 2025

Mixed-use district sites

1.2M square feet of Class A office space and a 200 -room hotel Parking structures for events and mixed-use district tenants A 200 -unit multifamily high-rise building with 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space

DNT TOLL

Toyota stadium

Pedestrian-friendly civic spaces and urban streetscape improvements

Mixed-use district site

Toyota stadium renovations

MAIN ST.

• Upgraded club spaces and seating • New luxury suites • New broadcast booths and press box areas • New stadium technology and broadcast capabilities • New LED sports lighting and other audio and visual upgrades • New food service commissaries and kitchens • New public restrooms, concessions and retail outlets • New entrance gates at the stadium’s north, east and west sides • New canopy shade structures • Adding over 3,400 seats

throughout 2025-28 to allow FC Dallas games and potential 2026 World Cup programming, according to a Sept. 17 FC Dallas news release. “We’re going to create a sports epicenter right here in Frisco, Texas,” FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said Sept. 17. The improvements will keep the stadium fan- friendly, Hunt said. Additional seats and better suites will also allow the stadium to recruit events such as concerts or host national teams, he said.

SOURCES: CITY OF FRISCO, FC DALLAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The details

Diving deeper

The three agreements allocate a $182 million sales tax revenue bond for construction. Costs exceeding $182 million would be the Hunt Sports Group’s responsibility. There will be no effect on residents’ property tax rates, council member Tammy Meinershagen said. The agreements split the district into two phases: • Phase 1A : includes the hotel, multifamily and retail spaces • Phase 1B: includes the office building and parking To receive city funds, Phase 1A must finish by 2035 and Phase 1B must finish by 2037. Stadium renovations must start by Dec. 31, 2025.

renovations and construction will be done in phases, according to a Sept. 17 FC Dallas news release. FC Dallas will host matches at Toyota Stadium throughout the renovation process, according to the release.

Stadium improvement-related construction will take place during and after the 2026 World Cup, which FC Dallas is expected to participate in as a practice facility for traveling teams. The stadium will remain open during

What comes next?

The agreements will keep FC Dallas playing in Frisco until 2057, a three-decade extension of the team’s current contract with Toyota Stadium, said Ken Schmidt, Frisco’s director of special projects.

2037: deadline to finish Phase 1B of the mixed-use district

Sept. 17 2024: agreements approved, money allocated Jan. 6, 2025: earliest that renovations can begin

Paying back the bond

Dec. 31, 2028: deadline to finish stadium improvements

2035: deadline to finish Phase 1A

Frisco Community Development Corporation: 20%

Frisco Tax increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1: 44%

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037

Hunt Sports Group: 36%

SOURCES: CITY OF FRISCO, FC DALLAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

MCKINNEY EDITION

Real estate

Three out of four ZIP code areas in McKinney saw year-over-year growth in homes sold, as well as a decline in median home sales prices. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

September 2023

September 2024

+76%

-22.73%

+69.81%

+13.04%

75069

75070

75071

75072

75071

380

Median home sales price

75072

75069

September

2023

2024

75070

$525,000 $465,000 $527,500 $575,600

$462,291 $473,000 $430,245 $572,500

SRT TOLL

75069

SRT TOLL

75070

Homes sold by price point

75071

September 2024

75072

$1 million+

$700,000-$999,999

155

$400,000-$699,999

Average days on market

+137.5%

+70%

+30.23%

-17.14%

$100,000-$399,999

<$99,999

MARKET DATA COMPILED BY COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS • WWW.CCAR.NET

75069

75070

75071

75072

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MCKINNEY EDITION

LOWRY CROSSING 4100 East US 380 (972) 540-2500

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Real estate

BY DUSTIN BUTLER

How homeowners can prepare their property for winter

Though Texans experienced a warmer than average fall, according to the National Weather Service, experts are reminding Dallas-Fort Worth residents that winter is around the corner and is expected to bring freezing weather to the region. According to the National Weather Service, the region experiences 29 freeze days on average every year. Freezing temperatures typically begin in November and can last through March. David Whitson, service manager for Colony AC, an HVAC maintenance company, said that homeowners should take steps to winterize their homes prior to freezing weather. The overview Whitson said one of the most important reasons why homeowners should winterize their homes is energy efficiency, adding that poor insulation and air leaks can lead to increased energy bills. “Properly insulating your home and sealing air gaps so you can retain heat...is probably one of

the biggest reasons for winterizing your home,” Whitson said. It’s important to winterize a home to help avoid frozen water pipes, Whitson said, noting that external water pipes are especially at risk. The specifics When it comes to winterizing, Whitson said it’s important for homeowners to have their heating system checked by professionals to help prevent system failures. “Not only can it fail, during those times when you have failure...[heating and AC companies] are busy and it may be a few days...before somebody can get out to your house to look at your heater,” Whitson said. “Then you may experience the frozen pipes and all the other things that go along with it.” Whitson recommends a professional inspect the heating and cooling systems twice a year, once before summer and once before winter, but

Top tips David Whitson said homeowners can take steps to help prevent damage to homes and maintain energy efficiency during freezing temperatures.

Allow faucets to drip and open cabinet doors below sinks

Cover outdoor water spigots

Change air filters at the beginning of every season

SOURCE: COLONY AC/COMMUNITY IMPACT

said that it is more critical to check the heating systems. “Being warm is a little uncomfortable,” Whitson said. “Being cold and freezing is deadly, or at least it can be.”

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Environment

BY ALEX REECE

As ‘mosquito season’ ends, experts recommend continuing prevention

Mosquito testing process example

A third party traps a group of around 50 mosquitoes and sends them to their respective county for testing

areas that experience warmer weather in the fall and winter months, something many Texans are especially familiar with, the breeding season for mosquitoes can become longer. Milam said he has trapped virus-positive mos- quitoes as late as the week of Thanksgiving. Also of note Mosquito surveillance reporting is voluntary but human cases of West Nile virus must be reported by law, said Grace Powers, an epidemiologist with Collin County Health Care Services, in an email. A human West Nile virus positive could come from someone experiencing symptoms and goes to a doctor for testing, or from someone experi- encing no symptoms but is tested anyway. A positive mosquito pool or a confirmed human positive can set off spraying, Milam said. Spraying involves trucks, sometimes referred to as fogging trucks, spraying an insecticide mist in a one-mile radius of a positive to kill nearby mosquitoes that could carry the virus. The process is typically done overnight and is considered harmless to humans and pets when done correctly, but McKinney’s mosquito control website recommends residents and their pets stay inside to be safe. Before you go Here are some of the Texas Department of State Health Services’ mosquito precaution recommendations: • Wear long sleeves and pants outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active

As temperatures drop, so do the number of mosquitoes and the risk for the diseases they carry, including West Nile virus. Even with the lower risk, the best practice is to keep up with preventative measures, health officials said. The big picture A typical “mosquito season” runs May-Novem- ber because those are the months that consistently see mosquito-friendly temperatures of above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, said Richard Milam, health compliance manager for the city of McKinney. “[The end of mosquito season] is not a day on the calendar you can look for,” Milam said. “It’s more about the temperatures. What we’re looking for to knock down the mosquito population is temperatures to be consistently in the mid- to low- er-fifties overnight, that really drops the mosquito population down.” As of Nov. 1, McKinney officials have reported more than 30 pools including West Nile virus-pos- itive mosquitoes, including multiple repeat locations. A mosquito pool is a group of around 50 trapped mosquitoes collected from across the city. The mosquitoes are then sorted by species and sent off for testing at county and state health ser- vice departments, which then report their findings back to the city that supplied the mosquitoes. Diving deeper West Nile virus is more common in warmer months but has the potential to be a year-round risk, according to a statement on the Texas Department of State Health Services’ website. For

Mosquitoes are tested and if any test positive for WNV, the county informs the city

City begins spraying insecticide to kill the virus positive mosquitoes or increases surveillance

West Nile virus reporting process example

A resident tests positive for WNV or a prospective blood donor tries to donate and their blood is revealed to be WNV-positive

WNV-positive blood is destroyed and the county health department is informed about either scenario’s positive within 24 hours

County informs city where the donor or resident lives

SOURCE: CARTER BLOODCARE, CITY OF MCKINNEY, COLLIN COUNTY HEALTH CARE SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus if outside • Drain any standing water

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News

BY COLBY FARR

How to prepare your car for the winter in Dallas-Fort Worth

Some automotive parts retailers, such as Autozone and Advance Auto Parts, can scan a vehicle’s “check engine” light and identify the issue free of charge. Drivers should also check their tires, windshield wipers and headlights. “The longer you wait to properly maintain your vehicle, the more likely the repairs will cost you more money,” he said in an email. “A worn vehicle is only going to become more worn and it may start affecting another system within the vehicle.” Drivers can inspect their tires for worn treads using a penny as a gauge, Moffa said. Place a penny upside down within the tire’s tread, and if it doesn’t reach President Abraham Lincoln’s head, the tire should be replaced. Next steps Some automotive repair shops can perform a “winterization” inspection of a vehicle, Moffa said. Individual components, such as windshield wipers and car batteries, can be purchased from auto

As the 2024-25 winter season approaches the Dallas-Fort Worth area, some car owners may be thinking about ensuring their vehicles are pre- pared for the colder weather. The gist Several vehicle components, such as windshield wipers and tire tread, can be affected by colder weather, said Anthony Moffa, air quality planner at the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Moffa is part of a team that manages the NCTCOG’s Car Care Awareness program. The program aims to spread awareness about proper car maintenance throughout the year and offers tips on car care at www.nctcog.org. Check it out Drivers should ensure they don’t have any warn- ing lights on their dashboard, such as the “check engine” light, when preparing to drive during cold weather, Moffa said.

Top tips Anthony Moffa said vehicle systems should be checked to ensure they are working properly and in good condition prior to cold weather, including:

Vehicle batteries: Colder weather can cause a weak battery to fail sooner, and the car won't reliably start. Coolant levels : If it's low, it may cause a vehicle's heater to not work properly and can affect the window defrost function. Headlights : Check that they are working properly, including the bright lights setting, to maintain visibility during freezes.

SOURCE: NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

parts stores as well. “Be sure to make these preparations before colder or extreme weather arrives,” Moffa said.

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MCKINNEY EDITION

Bypass process begins From the cover

Diving in deeper

Impacted businesses

US 380 bypass

The various projects along the roadway, which have been in progress for more than five years, are expected to accommodate future growth while also increasing the level of service of the current roadway, Schein said. Portions of roadway currently have a level of service ranked “F” on an A-F scale, indicating significant delays and unstable traffic conditions during peak traffic times. The Texas Transportation Institute named the McKinney portion of the roadway as 44th most congested roadway in the state, causing over 120,000 annual hours of delay per mile, according to TxDOT documents. The roadway also saw higher crash rates than the statewide average for highways. As the county’s population continues to grow, an increase in congestion and crashes would be expected along the roadway at its current capac- ity, which is an identified cause for the roadway expansion project, TxDOT documents state. “Collin County is so good that it just continues to attract people,” Daugherty said. “I don’t know what’s going to stop that growth.”

2933

WILMETH RD.

N. CUSTER RD.

NEW HOPE RD.

380

Approximately 38 businesses expected to be impacted

VIRGINIA PKWY.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

SOURCES: 3NATIVES MCKINNEY, JASON’S DELI, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, WHITE RHINO COFFEE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The specifics

alignment of the US 380 bypass in September 2023, TxDOT officials have begun right-of-way acquisitions for properties and land parcels in the path of the planned road construction in McKinney. Jason’s Deli was one of the earliest businesses to close due to acquisitions, and other stores in the same shopping center saw customer traffic decrease following the closure. “As soon as … the community started to hear wind of, ‘This area is going to close,’ traffic started getting much slower,” 3Natives owner Jin Mocanu said. “It’s been downhill.” Madi Morales, assistant general manager of a Papa John’s location in the shopping center, said she was the first person at the store to learn that they would be forced to close for the bypass.

Ahead of population growth in the area, planning work on the US 380 bypass is underway, which will create an eight-lane controlled access freeway with frontage roads routed through north McKinney. The project will also include constructing a six-lane highway with frontage roads through Frisco and Prosper, as well as other expansions to the roadway in Princeton and Farmersville. The Collin County-wide project is expected to cost nearly $8 billion, according to TxDOT documents. Evaluation of the roadway was initially requested by the county’s commissioners following a 2019 planning session for the county’s transportation infrastructure, said Clarence Daugherty, director of engineering for Collin County. Following a final decision on the

Collin County population growth

Projected growth Actual growth

US 380 in McKinney saw a 46% increase in traffic and an over 400% increase in crashes between 2012 and 2019.

1.5M

1.22M

1.2M

1.05M

900K

2021 2022 2023 2024

2018 2019 2020

SOURCE: COLLIN COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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