Plano | February 2026

BY JACQUELYN BURRER

What’s being done

Looking ahead

Hawkins said attracting more retail will remain a priority as downtown continues to evolve, noting that this area of Plano has historically gone through cycles as consumer habits and business models change. “I remember when downtown was antique stores, and everything closed early before the restaurants went in,” Hawkins said. “I think [the COVID-19 pandemic] really changed the direction of a lot of things, and it’s just going to take a minute for it to all settle.”

Marsalis noted that while Plano has a strong talent pool, retail businesses in particular continue to struggle to find and retain retail workers. At the same time, higher costs are leading some consum- ers to scale back discretionary spending, Marsalis said. “The most expensive part and the most challenging part of having a business is people,” Marsalis said. Hawkins and Marsalis said some businesses have adapted by shifting online or other options rather than maintaining full-time retail spaces. Hawkins said the Downtown Plano Public Improvement District, which allows the city to collect and pay for the maintenance of and services within the PID, should help address these challenges in the coming year, particularly for retail businesses. The improvement district has recently helped fund economic incentive projects, such as a district-wide downtown e-gift card program to

Downtown Plano PID expenses in FY 2024-25

The improvement district is funded primarily by event revenues, city funding and levies collected.

Events: $53,794.63 Marketing: $41,838.89

Total: $118,724.62

Management: $20,080.50 Beautification: $2,375.90 Mammoth Jack branding: $634.70

“Plano, while known for its corporate campuses and larger companies, [has] such a vibrant small-business community.” KELLE MARSALIS, PLANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT AND CEO

SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

encourage spending at participating businesses. In addition to prioritizing hosting more down- town events, Hawkins said the city is partnering with local businesses to sell Visit Plano merchan- dise and encouraging extended business hours. Downtown Plano is also set for several infra- structure improvement projects.

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