Prosper - Celina | February 2025

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Prosper Celina Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6 MARCH 5APRIL 1, 2025

2025 Camp Guide

Expanding The Gates Phase 3 construction underway with more to come in Prosper Phase 3 for The Gates of Prosper is slated to bring national brands such as Barnes & Noble, Total Wine, REI and Carhartt to the shopping center. Phase 4 is around the corner as well with details to be announced later this year.

289

COLEMAN ST.

RICHLAND BLVD.

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INSIDE

PHOTO CREDIT: SAMANTHA DOUTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

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Reporters Dustin Butler Karen Chaney Mark Fadden Colby Farr Hannah Johnson Heather McCullough Jonathan Perriello Alex Reece Cody Thorn Jacob Vaughn Graphic Designers Nicolas Delgadillo

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PROSPER CELINA EDITION

Impacts

Prosper

traditional recipes with a modern touch. Menu items include chicken, beef bulgogi and pork belly plates served with rice, japchae noodles and vegetables. The menu also features taiyaki, which are fish-shaped waffles filled with sweet red bean or nutella. • Opened late November • 1049 N. Preston Road, Ste. 30, Prosper • www.goyakiprosper.com 3 It’s A Secret Med Spa The medical spa chain offers a variety of aesthetic services, including chemical peels, laser hair removal and injectables. Some weight loss services are also available, according to its website. • Opened Nov. 18 • 2200 E. Prosper Trail, Ste. 30, Prosper • www.secretmedspa.com

1385

FRONTIER PKWY.

PARVIN RD.

E. PROSPER TRL.

Prosper

BROADWAY ST.

COUNTY RD.

FISHTRAP RD.

FIRST ST.

LOVERS LN.

UNIVERSITY DR.

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Coming soon

4 Costco The store has a new opening date for its Prosper location, according to the website. The Prosper wholesaler is located on US 380 bordering Frisco and Prosper. It will offer members grocery, pharmacy and other services available at its other locations. • Opening March 14

Free vacuums and towels are also offered. • Opened late January • 1520 Frontier Parkway, Prosper • www.cleanfreakcarwash.com

Now open

1 Clean Freak Car Wash The drive-thru car wash offers tire and wheel scrubs, polishing foam, paint protection and tire shine among other services. Clean Freak features unlimited wash plan memberships which give access to daily washing.

2 Goyaki Korean Kitchen The restaurant offers Korean cuisine, which combines

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Singas Famous Pizza The eatery’s menu features a variety of pizza options including black olive, BBQ chicken, pepperoni, shrimp, eggplant and more. Spaghetti sauces include mushroom, garlic butter and alfredo. Sandwiches and wings are also available. • Opening in June • Address TBD • www.singaspizzas.com

• 5620 University Drive, Prosper • www.costco.com

Now open

5 H-E-B The store is on track for a late summer opening in Prosper, store officials said. The Texas grocery store broke ground on its Prosper location in April 2024. The Prosper store will be 132,000 square feet and will include H-E-B products, a pharmacy with a drive-thru and a True Texas BBQ restaurant. It will also include curbside and home delivery services. • Opening late summer 2025 • Located on the southeast corner of Frontier Parkway and Dallas North Tollway • www.heb.com 6 1902 The restaurant will take over the Prosper Wine House location, which closed in November. The new concept will include a full commercial kitchen and two floors of seating space. It will include American fares on its menu with steaks, house-made pasta and desserts. It will be combined with Mary Ann’s Speakeasy, which is part of the 1902 restaurant but located at the back of the second floor. An elevator will also be installed in the building, officials said. • Opening in July • 209 W. Broadway St., Prosper • Facebook: Alora Hospitality Group

In the news

7 Carhartt The business will be included in the third phase of development at The Gates of Prosper. The phase also includes Total Wine, REI and Barnes & Noble. An opening date for Carhartt is not known at this time. Carhartt has two Texas locations in Fort Worth and Tyler. It sells a variety of clothing items and accessories such as jackets, beanies, pants and more. • Located at the Gates of Prosper • www.carhartt.com

8 Salute The restaurant serves a variety of Italian dishes including primavera, baked lasagna, portobello ravioli, chicken sorrentino, ribeye steak, branzino, eggplant parmesan and more. The Prosper Salute Italian is located inside the space left vacant when Eddie’s Napoli, another Italian restaurant, closed in early January. There is also a Salute location in Frisco. • Opened Feb. 8 • 1450 N. Preston Road, Ste. 10, Prosper • www.saluteitalianfrisco.com

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Impacts

Celina

BY KAREN CHANEY, SHELBIE HAMILTON & ALEX REECE

Coming soon

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representative’s plans to open the store before the end of 2025. • Opening Dec. 1 • Located on the corner of Ownsby Parkway and Preston Road, Celina • www.costco.com 3 Methodist Celina Medical Center The hospital will immediately begin providing emergency and critical care services with plans to offer additional women’s health options in August. Other offerings include: 30 medical surgical beds, 12 emergency department beds, eight intensive care

5 Mavis Tires & Brakes The store will primarily sell tires and brakes but also offer some minor auto repair services such as oil changes and fluid replacements. Celina City Council members approved a permit allowing the business to open during a Feb. 11 meeting. • Near Frontier Parkway and Preston Road, Celina • www.mavis.com 6 Grocery store A grocery store, single family homes, a multifamily development and other commercial uses are planned for a site in north McKinney, along the Prosper border. • Located on the corner of Frontier Parkway and Custer Road, McKinney • www.weitzmangroup.com unit beds, and three operating rooms equipped with a da Vinci surgical robot. • Opening March 17 • Located on the southeast corner of Dallas Parkway and FM 428, Celina • www.methodisthealthsystem.org

FRONTIER PKWY.

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MAP NOT TO SCALE

Coming soon

1 Children’s Lighthouse The franchise, owned by Kirk and Jenny Rose McKean, will offer curriculum-based pre-K, preschool, and advanced pre-K programs. The school enrolls children

from infancy through 12 years of age. • Opening late February/early March • 3520 N. Dallas Parkway, Celina • www.childrenslighthouse.com/celina

In the news

4 Murphy USA The gas station chain received Celina City Council approval to open a location along Preston Road during a Feb. 11 meeting. The property will feature multiple gas pumps and an accompanying convenience store. • Near Glendenning Parkway and Preston Road, Celina • www.murphyusa.com

2 Costco Wholesale The warehouse site is currently under construction. It will be located at the corner of Preston Road and Ownsby Parkway and is part of a larger mixed- use development that will also feature a Lowes. The December opening date aligns with project

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Government

BY ALEX REECE

Celina’s Downtown Center, which will bring a two-story library, community spaces, a parking garage and council meetings to the city, is moving forward and on track for a fall 2026 unveiling. Celina City Council members approved a $59.05 million guaranteed maximum price for the Downtown Center project during a Feb. 11 meeting. Council members previously approved a $19.03 million maximum price in September, which covered the costs for the adjacent parking garage and site work. “We’re making good progress,” Mayor Ryan Tubbs said. The breakdown The budget for the project as a whole is projected to be $96 million, which is a $2.7 million increase from September due to technology infrastructure, Celina OKs $59M for Downtown Center

455

Celina’s Downtown Center is expected to nish in fall 2026.

according to a meeting presentation. The nal cost “is still a working budget” and the increases should not aect the city’s ve-year capital improvement project plans, Assistant City Manager Kim Brawner said. Construction related to the parking garage has already begun on the site—city ocials celebrated the project’s groundbreaking in October. The details Once complete, the Downtown Center will

feature ve oors, two of which will be reserved for the city’s new public library. As-is, the Celina Public Library is roughly 2,000 square feet. The space in the Downtown Center will bring it to just under 20,000 square feet, Brawner said. The parking garage is four oors and will have around 400 spaces. It will also have space for bookmobile storage and an o-site book drop.

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PROSPER CELINA EDITION

Government

Friday, March 14, at 8 a.m. Prosper WE’RE OPENING IN

BY ALEX REECE

Prosper looks to future parks, trails

A plan to shape the future of Prosper’s parks system and facilities is being considered by town officials. A draft of the Prosper Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan presented to Prosper Town Council members during a Jan. 28 meeting showcased the ongoing efforts toward bringing community spaces to residents and a plan to add more. Parks and Recreation Director Dan Baker said the plan serves as an update on the town’s existing park facilities and a look into what residents would want to see in the future. The plan also highlights how Prosper compares to nearby cities.

No action was taken Jan. 28. Town Council members were expected to approve the plan during a Feb. 25 meeting. Breaking it down The master plan was last updated in 2015 when Prosper had a population of 15,000, said Philip Neeley with Dunaway Associates, the firm hired to create both master plans. Neeley was also on the team that created the 2015 master plan. Prosper’s recent population growth has made the town “a moving target,” he said. The town over 700 acres of developed and undeveloped park land combined, Baker said.

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Comparing parkland inventory

Acres of parks and recreation land

Acres per 1,000 residents

Little Elm

639

10.92

Coppell

644

15.32

Prosper

656

17.37

The Colony

1,517

33.44

Grapevine

1,740

33.1

Allen

2,251

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Frisco

2,423

10.48

500

1,000

1,500

2,000 2,500

SOURCES: DUNAWAY ASSOCIATES, TOWN OF PROSPER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The town of Prosper will be adding automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, to the equipment in its police car fleet following a nearly $50,000 grant. The Prosper Police Department announced the grant—$49,068 from the Firehouse Subs Public Prosper police to equip cars with AED equipment

Safety Foundation—and AED plans in a Jan. 28 town news release. The money will go toward purchasing 21 AEDs, one for every police car driving in Prosper, Mayor David Bristol said in a video posted to the Police Depart- ment’s social media. “The new AEDs will address a vital need for emergency medical equipment, enabling officers to assist during cardiac emergencies by restoring a normal heartbeat,” Prosper Police Chief Doug Kowalski said in the release.

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Education

BY SAMANTHA DOUTY & ALEX REECE

US 380 corner picked for Prosper ISD, city of Frisco arts center

The Frisco Center for the Arts project, which would bring Broadway, community and Prosper ISD spaces under one roof, is moving forward. The breakdown As of Feb. 4, the project is expected to cost between $300 million-$340 million. PISD signed a letter of intent in October pledging $100 million for the project from a $125 million arts facility bond that voters passed in 2023. Aside from the letter of intent, PISD has not voted to partner with Frisco for the project. Frisco City Council members on Feb. 4 placed two propositions related to the arts center on the May 3 ballot asking voters to authorize the city to issue up to $160 million for the center using Frisco Economic Development Corporation funds. The rest of the funding would need to come from corporate and individual gifts as naming rights for the facility are sold, according to a Feb. 4 presentation from Theatre Project Consultants Inc.

Theatre Projects is one of the consulting groups hired by the city of Frisco for the project. The vision for the center includes: • A 2,800-seat performance hall for Broadway and large productions • A 300 to 400-seat community hall to be used primarily by PISD • Support spaces, rehearsal areas and visual arts creative spaces PISD students would also get facility access to learn various production roles, said Paul McGinley, a theatre consultant with Theatre Projects, during a Jan. 31 Frisco City Council work session. If the project continues, the center would be built at a Frisco-owned site inside the city and PISD’s boundaries. As of Feb. 4, the facility would most likely open in 2030, Gena Buhler, a principal with Theatre Projects said.

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Project funding sources

Individual gifts Projected $50M-$60M

Corporate gifts Projected $50M-$60M

City bond Pending approval, no more than $160M

Prosper ISD Current commitment $100M

Total project cost estimated between $300M to $340M

SOURCES: CITY OF FRISCO, THEATRE PROJECT CONSULTANTS INC./COMMUNITY IMPACT

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PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Education

BY SAMANTHA DOUTY & HANNAH JOHNSON

Proposed $2.3B bond could bring Celina its 2nd high school

Celina ISD’s proposed $2.3 billion bond will include 10 new campuses including the district’s second high school. CISD’s board unanimously placed the two propositions on the ballot during a Feb. 3 board meeting. The multibillion bond, if approved, would not increase the district’s current tax rate of $1.2358 per $100 valuation, officials said. “A vote for this bond is a vote for the future of Celina ISD,” bond committee member Ben Hangartner said. “Let’s come together and invest in our schools and support our students together. We can honor the legacy of our past and build the future.” About the program The bond program—totaling $2.295 billion— includes items for new schools and purchasing land as well as transportation and technology needs in the district. “The items on this list are growth-driven

decisions,” Hangartner said. The bond includes funding for new campuses land and other items related to maintenance and technology. Bond projects will be split into two propositions. All items will be included in Proposition A, except an estimated $20 million for technology, which will be Proposition B. Projects, such as a new administration building and the 14th elementary school, were not included in the bond program as committee members felt those projects could wait for a future bond program, Hangartner said. Superintendent Tom Maglisceau said the com- mittee was limited and even though an item was not included in this bond package doesn’t mean the item won’t be considered in the future. “Every single thing the committee looked at was a priority,” Maglisceau said.

The largest portion of the bond looks to add campuses to the district. New facilities and campus expansions

High schools and middle schools

$631.9 million for High School No. 2 $242.9 million for Middle School No. 4 $210.54 million for Middle School No. 3 $125.39 million for Celina High School renovations and additions $95.47 million for Elementary School No. 12 $95.47 million for Elementary School No. 13 $88.3 million for Elementary School No. 10 $88.3 million for Elementary School No. 11 $81.11 million for Elementary School No. 9 $73.95 million for Elementary School No. 8 $66.78 million for Elementary School No. 7

Elementary schools

Other

$59.61 million for an early childhood center at Lykins Elementary

SOURCE: CELINA ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

PISD to offer new career, technical courses Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Prosper ISD students will have the opportunity to follow new pathways through the district’s Career and Technical Education programs. What’s happening? PISD will offer new CTE pathways at the dis- trict’s new campus, Richland High School, in the 2025-26 school year. Richland High will hold the district’s first CTE Academy which will offer an elevated learning experience for students, said Julie Anderson, director of career and technical education. The programs in Richland High’s CTE Academy are: • Cybersecurity, which will allow students to earn industry certification and provide them with a direct pipeline into employment in the industry or advanced education opportunities.

CISD invests $1.15M on staff computers Celina ISD staff members will be getting new Apple MacBooks. The district’s board of trustees approved the $1.15 million purchase from Apple Inc. during a Jan. 21 meeting. A closer look The purchase includes 900 13-inch MacBook Airs for $881,100. The district also purchased a four-year AppleCare+ protection service for the computers. The purchase included 50 Mac minis for $22,000. Various Apple devices were also included in the purchase. The technology refresh will be com- pleted through the district’s replacement cycle timeline.

Student participation Prosper ISD has seen a 40% growth in CTE enrollment over the past two years. 82% of high school students enrolled in CTE 8,100 middle school students enrolled in CTE courses 1,800 industry-based certifications earned

SOURCE: PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Cosmetology, which will be a four-year program through the Toni & Guy Academy. Students will have the chance to earn their Cosmetology Operator’s License from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • Electrical engineering, which will feature a state-of-the-art electrical lab. Students in the program will gain industry-relevant experience and earn industry certifications. Students will then be able to directly enter the industry or pursue advanced education.

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Education Private School Guide

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

2025

band, choir, various clubs Enrollment: 1,400+ Tuition: $15,400-$27,900 annually • 5000 Academy Drive, Frisco • www.legacyca.com

Prosper

Prestonwood Christian Academy Type: religion-based Grades served: pre-K3-12 Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: basketball, volleyball, football, track, cross-country, cheer Enrollment: 620 Tuition: $7,939-$24,081 annually • 1001 W. Prosper Trail, Prosper • https://north.prestonwoodchristian.org

Starwood Academy of Frisco Type: Montessori Grades served: 18 months-15 years Religious orientation: N/A Extracurricular activities: fine arts, Spanish, nature

St. Martin de Porres Catholic School Type: religion-based Grades served: pre-K3-8 Religious orientation: Catholic Extracurricular activities : archery, band, athletics Enrollment: 385 Tuition: $8,750 annually • 4000 W. University Drive, Prosper • www.smdpcatholic.org

study, athletics Enrollment: 350 Tuition: $15,000-$21,000 annually • 3443 Lebanon Road, Frisco • www.starwoodacademyoffrisco.com

Frisco

Legacy Christian Academy Type: religious-based

Grades served: Pre-K 3-12th grade Religious orientation: Christian Extracurricular activities: athletics, visual arts, drama,

W Prosper Trail

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY ALEX REECE

relocate an existing street light at Windsong Parkway and US 380 is set to kick off this year. Update: The project is currently in its design phase and expected to go out to bid for a contractor in the next few months once other intersection work being done by the Texas Department of Transportation at the intersection has finished, according to the town’s capital improvements project website. Construction should

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then begin in early summer 2025. • Timeline: early summer-fall 2025 • Cost: $622,800 • Funding source: town of Prosper

E. PROSPER TRL.

DENTON WAY

WINDHAVEN PKWY.

FIRST ST.

COUNTY RD.

Ongoing projects

FISHTRAP RD.

Prosper

5 Fishtrap Road and Denton Way intersection work Project: The town is working to replace temporary traffic signals with permanent signals at the intersection of Fishtrap Road and Denton Road. The intersection work is related to a larger project to bring additional lanes to Gee Road between US 380 and FM 1385 that is currently in its design phase. The improved intersection is expected to enhance traffic flow and safety ahead of the other work on Gee Road, according to a post on the town’s social media page. Update: Crews began installing permanent traffic signals at all three corners of the intersection in early February and are expected to finish before the end of winter. • Timeline: early-mid 2025 • Cost: $21.9 million (Gee Road project total) • Funding source: town of Prosper 6 Ownsby Parkway construction Project: The work wrapping up on Ownsby Parkway to create a new six-lane road includes drainage, lighting, sidewalks and various landscaping improvements. Update: The outer lanes opened to traffic in early December and work on the remaining lanes is projected to finish before the end of February. • Timeline: fall 2023-early 2025 • Cost: $19 million • Funding source: city of Celina

LOVERS LN.

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289

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MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Update: The first phase of the project is expected to go out to bid for a contractor in March. The second phase should go to bid in July. • Timeline: early summer 2025-late 2026 • Cost: $23.64 million • Funding source: town of Prosper 3 Celina Coit Road construction Project: The city of Celina is joining the town of Prosper’s Coit Road project, which will eventually add two more lanes of roadway from First Street up to Frontier Parkway. Celina will continue construction roughly 1,400 feet past Frontier Parkway to the south end of Marigold Lane. Update: Celina City Council members approved an interlocal agreement with the town of Prosper for the construction services during a Feb. 11 meeting. • Timeline: October 2025-TBD • Cost: $2 million • Funding source: city of Celina 4 Windsong Parkway and US 380 left turn lane Project: Work to add an additional left turn lane and

Upcoming projects

1 Prosper Trail lanes Project: A segment of Prosper Trail between Legacy Drive and Dallas Parkway will see construction to build two westbound lanes and associated improvements including paving, drainage, illumination, median landscaping and more. Update: Prosper Town Council members approved a $981,000 design contract for the road during a Feb. 11 meeting. According to meeting documents, the final designs will be submitted to the town in March 2026 with construction beginning sometime after. • Timeline: TBD • Cost: $981,000 for designs • Funding source: town of Prosper 2 Prosper Coit Road construction Project: Prosper is working to widen Coit Road from two lanes to four. Coit Road is earmarked to eventually be a six-lane roadway, according to the town’s project dashboard. The project is split in two parts—from First Street to Prosper Trail and from Prosper Trail to Frontier Parkway.

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Development

BY ALEX REECE

Developers ‘still going forward’ with Prosper Arts District

The Prosper Arts District is still happening—just a little behind its original schedule, developers say. The Prosper Arts District is a mixed-use devel- opment set to bring boutique retail spaces, art installations, oce towers, multifamily spaces and some of the rst hotels to Prosper. Construction was originally supposed to begin before the end of 2024. As of February 2025, a groundbreaking is still months away with revised project plans expected to be approved by the town this summer. “A lot of projects are announced, and then reality strikes,” said Barry Hand, a principal with Gensler—the architecture and design rm behind the Prosper Arts District. “However, the project is

Arts district oodplain

KEY: Doe branch tributary

ARMSTRONG LN.

100 year oodplain

Prosper Arts District

PROSPER TRL.

SOURCE: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

installations, the development’s overall infrastruc- ture, a parking garage and retail—was scheduled to nish in 2026. Other features planned for the development include: • Three hotel concepts • 515 multifamily units • Extensive retail village • Around 24 art installations “What slowed us down is trying to get the oodplain back within a footprint that doesn’t materially change the design,” Hand said. “We’re pretty excited about where we are right now, it’s going to be a little bit of a dierent story how we manage the oodplain, but it’ll be equally or more interesting than what was presented.” Capitalize Ventures developer Krishna Nim- magadda, the Prosper Arts District developer, has continued to work with designers and the town to move the project forward through regular updates

still going forward.” What’s happening

“There’s a lot of work that has to be done when you’re developing right up to the water.” BARRY HAND, PRINCIPAL WITH GENSLER

The biggest setback for the project is the land itself, Hand said. The 35 acres earmarked for the project are located at the northwest corner of Prosper Trail and Dallas Parkway and are in a oodplain. The Texas Water Development Board, which works to address the state’s water needs, denes a oodplain as a geographic area subject to ood- ing or land adjacent to a waterway necessary to contain a ood. “There’s a lot of work that has to be done when you’re developing right up to the water,” Hand said. Water features were included in the original designs when the development was rst approved by Prosper Town Council members in June 2024. The rst of four phases of the Prosper Arts Dis- trict—featuring the rst of three hotels, waterway

and meetings, Hand said. The plans will still include bridges and pedestrian pathways going over the water features but will focus on celebrating the existing habitat, Hand said. Going forward The revised site plans for the Prosper Arts District will go back to Town Council members for their approval sometime this summer, Hand said. “Let’s get through the preliminary site plan rst, and we’ll see where it goes from there,” Hand said. “We’ve got a lot of designers and engineers that are focused on that for now, and hopefully we’ll see something moving this year.”

Yamaha Music School Prosper is seeking piano, guitar, drums, voice and violin instructors

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

• Free • 200 S. Main St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/306/library

March

Scotty Inman Christian music artist Scotty Inman will share the message of Christ at Prestonwood Baptist Church’s North Campus. • March 6, 11 a.m. • Free Farmers Market at The Gates of Prosper The Gates of Prosper hosts a farmer market for local farmers and artisans to showcase their homemade, handmade and homegrown products. The event will feature live music and food trucks. • March 8, 9 a.m.-noon • Free (admission) • 201 Richland Blvd., Prosper • www.eventeny.com/events/farmers-market-at-the- gates-of-prosper-13767/?series=5065 • 1001 Prosper Trail, Prosper • www.scottyinman.com/tour Spring Break Scavenger Hunt Swing by the Prosper Community Library to grab a spring themed scavenger hunt list. Participants can return a completed list for a small prize. • March 15-21

P-Town Throwdown Pickleball Tournament Prosper’s fourth annual pickleball tournament invites players of all skill levels to compete. The competition includes mixed doubles for participants aged 18 and older with recreational and competitive divisions. Trophies will be awarded to the two teams in each division. • March 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • TBD • 700 N. Coleman St., Prosper • www.prospertx.gov/564/ p-town-throwdown-pickleball-tournament 2025 Celina Downtown Wine Crawl Explore Downtown Celina while enjoying 10 tastings from local wineries. The event will also feature live music and boutique and artisan vendors. • March 29, 5-9 p.m. • TBD • 302 W. Walnut St., Celina • www.facebook.com/celinawinecrawl

Texas Tastemakers Festival Presented by H-E-B, the inaugural food festival will feature cuisine from 20 local restaurants paired with craft beer and spirits. The event will also have live music, local businesses and Texas branded activities. • March 22, noon-6 p.m. • Free (admission)

• 302 W. Walnut St., Celina • www.sbghospitality.com/ texas-tastemakers-festival

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PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Community

Camp Guide

2025

Cost: $235 • 3260 S. Preston Road, Celina • www.3-ddance.com/camps

Celina

Prosper

Celina ISD Athletics Type: sports Ages: vary per camp Dates: June-July Cost: prices vary by camp • https://ath.celinaisd.com/summer-camps Collin College Type: academic, STEM Ages: students entering sixth-12th grade Dates: vary by camp Cost: TBD • 2505 Kinship Parkway, Celina • www.collin.edu/community/summercamps

Professional Black Belt Academy Type: sports Ages: vary per session Dates: TBD Cost: TBD • 1180 E. Prosper Trail, Ste. 40, Prosper • 3620 W. First St., Ste. 10, Prosper • www.problackbeltacademy.com/classes summer-camps

Legacy Hills Church Type: sports, art

Ages: kindergarten-fifth grade Dates: June 16-18: sports camp, July 14-July 16: arts camp Cost: TBD • 300 E. G.A. Moore Parkway, Celina • www.legacyhillschurch.org/kidscamp

KIDZ Summer Camp at Prestonwood Type: day camp Ages: kindergarten-third grade, fourth-sixth grade

First Celina Type: day camp Ages: vary per camp Dates: June-July Cost: TBA • 841 N. Preston Road, Celina, • www.firstcelina.org/kids

Dates: June 23-27 Cost: $285-$300

• 1001 W. Prosper Trail, Prosper • www.prestonwood.org/camp

3-D Dance Type: dance Ages: 3+ Dates: June-August

Schedule & Pricing Info Is your student struggling with math? Tutoring at your local library Grades 1-8 Math basics through Algebra 2

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH JOHNSON

School of Rock Type: music

Prosper

Celina & Prosper

Ages: Vary by session Dates: June-August Cost: $350-$550 • 5600 W. University Drive, Prosper • www.schoolofrock.com/locations/prosper/ • music-camps

Texas Amps & Axes Type: music

Ages: 6-12 Dates: TBD Cost: TBD • 117 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.school.texasampsandaxes.com

A Joyful Mess The art studio offers several summer camps with themes such as Wicked, dogs and cats, retro and food-inspired art. Type: art Ages: 1st-8th grade (ages vary by session) Dates: June-July Cost: $275-$350 • 108 W. Broadway St., Prosper • www.ajoyfulmessartstudio.com/summer-camps

Sky Ranch Launch Camp Launch camp brings the fun of Sky Ranch through a day camp experience. Type: day camp Ages: K-3 Dates: June 2-6, July 7-11, July 21-25, locations vary by session Cost: $359 • 4001 Waterview Trail, Celina • 2601 Prairie Drive, Prosper • 2860 W. First St., Prosper • www.skyranch.org/pages/launch-camp

Yamaha Music School Type: music Ages: 6-12 Dates: June-July Cost: call for pricing

• 1390 N. Preston Road, Ste. 10, Prosper • www.yamahamusicschoolprosper.com This list is not comprehensive.

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PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

Expanding The Gates From the cover

BY SAMANTHA DOUTY

A closer look

The details

The Gates at Prosper by phases Phase 1 Completed Under construction Phase 2 Phase 3

Looking ahead

purpose district revenue, or the EDC revenue. The special purpose district revenue directly contrib- utes to Prosper’s police and re departments. The Gates, which is a tax increment reinvest- ment zone, allows people who don’t live in Prosper to spend their money in town and that money goes into the town’s sales tax, Hoover said. “Sales tax is really a community’s best friend,” Hoover said.

The development brings in revenue as well. The revenue comes in through the property taxes, sales tax and other ancillary spinos, which includes people who come to town to work. “The town gets a fair amount of revenue from [The Gates],” Hoover said. The Gates contributes to the general town’s sales tax, which is then distributed three ways. It can go into the general sales tax revenue, the special

The Gates of Prosper, a multibillion development, has grown since Blue Star Land rst bought the property in the ‘90s. Prosper’s retail footprint will continue to grow through the development’s future phases, said Fallon O’Neill, Blue Star Land’s senior marketing manager. “Phase 3 is starting to be the gateway to the town,” O’Neill said. Phase 3 construction started mid 2024, said Mary Ann Moon, Prosper Economic Development Corporation’s executive director. Phase 1 goes back to 2007 with the developers’ rst permits, Prosper Development Services Director David Hoover said. “What The Gates has in Prosper is really pretty unique as far as the size, type and the quality of a development like that,” Hoover said. “That’s a good thing for the residents here because the town benets from that.”

289

Phase 3 construction is expected to wrap later this year, O’Neill said. Phase 4 details and its construction timeline have not been announced as of this edition’s press deadline, but O’Neill said it will act as a town center with retail, regional restaurants, national chains, parks and more events. “This next phase is really going to be focused on building community,” she said. Prosper has always had a small-town atmosphere and the next phase of development is going to focus on that, O’Neill said. “We want to continue to evolve with the community,” O’Neill said.

Phase 1 businesses: 1 Walmart 2 Dick’s Sporting Goods 3 Burlington Phase 2 businesses: 4 Hobby Lobby 5 Specs 6 Home Goods Phase 3 businesses*: 7 Barnes and Noble 8 REI 9 Total Wine 10 Carhartt

RICHLAND BLVD.

$10K $15K $20K $25K $30K

Town sales tax & TIRZ Special purpose districts sales tax EDC sales tax

Total sales tax revenue Prosper’s sales tax comes in through one pool and gets distributed through three funds.

$25,240

COLEMAN ST.

This list is not comprehensive.

7 9

8 10

*EXACT LOCATIONS NOT AVAILABLE

SOURCES: THE GATES OF PROSPER, TOWN OF PROSPER COMMUNITY IMPACT

380

$5,398

$0 $5K

SOURCE: TOWN OF PROSPER COMMUNITY IMPACT

FY 2024-25

FY 2015-16

PROSPER 950 S Preston Rd (469) 535-5539 LITTLE ELM 27100 Hwy 380 (972) 347-9630

FIRST EDITION!

A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT FEBRUARY 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EXCURSIONS: A Port Aransas Quest CRITTER: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: A Western Wear Pair FEATURE PREVIEW: Panhandle Fires, One Year Later

Above: Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, in Port Aransas.

PROSPER - CELINA EDITION

TEXAS MONTHLY FEBRUARY 2025

Dear Fellow Texan, WELCOME

I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to bring you this special edition of Texas Monthly ’s February issue within the pages of Community Impact . One great Texas institution meets another. Community Impact and Texas Monthly have shared goals: to equip you with the news and perspectives that help you understand your state and your neighborhood and inspire you to engage with the people and places that surround you. Each month, we’ll provide you a kind of sampler of what Texas Monthly has to offer. Food, drink, travel, critters, and a taste of some of the award-winning storytelling Texas Monthly is known for. Enjoy the next few pages, thank you for welcoming us into your home, and please consider subscribing to Texas Monthly. —ROSS McCAMMON

EXCURSIONS Among the Craniacs North America’s tallest bird stalks Port Aransas once again. Its fans are back too. BY ROSE CAHALAN

I'M LEANING ON the rail of the Scat Cat, a red-and-white charter fishing boat in Aran- sas Bay, when two bottlenose dolphins leap majestically out of the water alongside our wake. The midday February sun gleams on their fins as the pair chases us. “Look!” I shout. A few of my sixty or so fellow passengers turn to watch, but this is only a warm-up for the real stars of the show: the whooping cranes. Today’s tour is part of the Whooping Crane Festival, an annual four-day winter celebra- tion of one of the continent’s rarest avian

species—and its tallest. About two thousand birders have descended on Port Aransas, a Gulf Coast town of around 2,900 residents on Mustang Island, for the twenty-seventh iteration, which is packed with more than fifty events, including birding tours and lectures by scientists. (This year’s festival happens February 20–23.) Before the arrival of European settlers, more than ten thousand of these birds soared across the continent, but habitat destruction and overhunting drove them to the brink. By

EDITOR IN CHIEF, TEXAS MONTHLY

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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