Plano North | June 2023

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PLANO NORTH EDITION

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 10 JUNE 17JULY 21, 2023

2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION

The Dolly Llama bringing sweet treats to Plano

Celebrate Independence Day in Plano HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY

More amenities for smallest patients

• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano Health care snapshot

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano’s new family center will include seven private rooms, and several other amenities, for families of neonatal intensive care unit patients. (Courtesy Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital)

Texas Health Plano adding $3.9 million NICU family center expansion

Carries Skate Shop interlaced with experience

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

NICU. The project will add seven private rooms for NICU patients and families, including one for twins and one for triplets. The family center will also include a welcome lounge with a coee bar. Texas Health Plano has the only Level IV NICU in Collin or Den- ton counties, meaning more fam- ilies will see extended stays at the hospital.

Level IV NICUs are capable of pro- viding the most intensive care for newborns—whether that’s major surgeries or treatment for complex conditions. Texas Health Plano President Fraser Hay said in a news release the designation comes with “greater responsibility and demand for service.” Construction is scheduled to nish

Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries

Private rooms, a laundry facility, sinks for bathing infants and several other amenities are all part of a $3.9 million dollar expansion that will aim to make Texas Health Presby- terian Hospital Plano more comfort- able for its smallest patients. Construction began May 18 on the hospital’s new family center for its neonatal intensive care unit, or

CONTINUED ON 18

Our new Back and Neck Center provides a better way for you to access expert neurological and orthopedic care. From setting up an initial virtual appointment to discussing the least invasive treatment options, our dedicated nurse navigators are ready to support you every step of the way. Call or email to request an appointment 469.814.BACK (2225) BSWHbackandneckcenter@BSWHealth.org

Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2022 Baylor Scott & White Health. 12-EST-642109-BSWRNBCPrintAds

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PLANO NORTH EDITION • JUNE 2023

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THIS ISSUE

ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 30 localized editions across Texas to more than 2.4 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM EDITOR Michael Crouchley GRAPHIC DESIGNER David Bravo Moreno ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Taffy Pavey, Scott Fritsche METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Leanne Libby MANAGING EDITOR William C. Wadsack MANAGING COPY EDITOR Beth Marshall ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Chelsea Peters CONTACT US 7460 Warren Parkway, Ste. 160 Frisco, TX 75034 • 214-618-9001 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES plnnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING plnads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

FROM MICHAEL: This month’s issue focuses on trends and updates in Plano’s health care industry, including the construction of Texas Health Plano’s neonatal intensive care unit family center. Our front-page story has details about the project, which started construction in May and will serve families of NICU patients. Texas Health Plano has the only Level IV NICU in Collin County, meaning it cares for most of the sickest and smallest babies in the area. That also means the hospital stays are longer, and the new family center will make that stay more comfortable for families. This edition also includes a list of local hospitals, urgent cares and emergency facilities on Page 17. The guide will also feature extra information on all of our local hospitals so you can know where your needs will best be met. Michael Crouchley, EDITOR

Meet Leanne Libby

Dallas - Fort Worth Metro Publisher

What’s your favorite memory working for CI? LL: Day two of the Plano paper hitting homes for the first time ... I sat at a temporary desk in our new DFW headquarters—we had just moved in—and took phone calls and fielded emails for eight hours straight. People had just received us for the first time and were excited to share feedback and ask questions. It was clear we had a bright future here! Days like that are repeated, in some form, every time we enter a new community, and it’s energizing and rewarding for our team after all the hard work that goes into growth.

Aside from Community Impact, what have you read recently? LL: I’ve leaned into podcasts. Anything by Malcolm Gladwell or Adam Grant is on my “must listen to” list. Email newsletters are booming for CI; why should readers subscribe? LL: Who doesn’t want to be the smartest and most informed person in their neighborhood?! We hear from our subscribers that the Morning Impact’s quick, simple content pieces fuel their day with awareness. The emails are really useful and help them feel connected.

How do you spend your free time in the area? LL: It’s changed over the years as my husband and I age. We used to go out almost every weekend to hear live local music at all the fun venues around town. Nowadays it’s youth sports fields and children’s theater with the kids. We’re sporty and artsy, and DFW has so much to offer.

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PLANO NORTH EDITION • JUNE 2023

NORTH IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

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NOW OPEN 1 First United Bank held a grand opening for its new Plano branch April 19, according to a news release from the company. The new bank is located at 3930 Dallas Parkway. The four-story, 120,000-square-foot building will also house First United Mortgage Group. The branch oers ATMs, notary ser- vices, a drive-thru, safe deposit boxes and more. The grand opening event included a $50,000 donation from First United Mortgage Group to the Make- A-Wish Foundation. 469-606-6222. www.rstunitedbank.com/locations/plano 2 Handcrafted Therapy , a massage supply store and training center, held a grand opening event in Plano on June 3, according to a spokesperson for the store. The new store, located at 3303 N. Central Expressway, oers massage therapy supplies and classes focused on self-care. Handcrafted Therapy also has a massage therapy spa at 5509 Pleasant Valley Drive. 972-658-7722. www.handcraftedtherapyspa.com 3 Craft & Vine held a grand opening for its new Plano location on June 12, according to a spokesperson for the company. The new location is located at P L A N O P K W Y . DNT TOLL

6 Everbowl is set to open in Plano in the Lakeside Market shopping center. The restaurant is set to open in September at 5809 Preston Road, Ste. 584, according to owner Isaac Mathai. Everbowl is a restaurant chain that serves acai bowls, superfood smoothies and coee. One popular item is the Everbowl, which includes acai and granola with banana, strawberries and blueberries as toppings. www.everbowl.com 7 Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods is set to open in Plano later this summer. The store will be located at 5420 SH 121 and is slated to open in September, according to a spokesperson for the com- pany. Spec’s is a Houston-based liquor store with locations throughout Texas. This will be the third Spec’s location in Plano. www.specsonline.com 8 The Dolly Llama Wae Master will open in Plano at 8400 Preston Road, Ste. 150, in June. The Los Angeles-based dessert chain serves several varieties of waes covered in toppings, such as ice cream, chocolate syrup, fruit and cereal as well as milkshakes and ice cream. A grand opening event is planned for June 10, with raes and giveaways, according 1 4 T H ST.

5800 Legacy Drive, Ste. C1, in the Shops at Legacy. The restaurant serves American cuisine alongside an extensive beer and wine menu. Craft & Vine has one existing location at 310 S. Oak St., Ste. 300, Roa- noke. https://craftandvine.restaurant 4 UBank opened a new Plano branch in May, according to a spokesperson for the company. The bank is located at 6860 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 125. UBank oers a variety of personal and business banking services, along with personal lending services. Appointments are required for the Plano branch. 469-925-0065. https://u.bank/plano COMING SOON 5 EoS Fitness is set to open a new gym is Plano. EoS Fitness will be located at 3500 Preston Road, Ste. 100 and is expected to open in late 2023, according to a spokesperson for the company. The gym chain oers group tness classes, a cardio room with a big screen that shows movies during workouts, a sauna and steam room and more. Member- ship enrollment will be available as the location gets closer to opening. https://eostness.com/location/plano- preston-rd-w-parker-rd 15THST.

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to owner Trenton Judson. This will be the second Dolly Llama location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 469-287-2002. www.thedollyllamaus.com EXPANSIONS 9 Plano City Council approved a change to the city’s lease agreement that will bring new pickleball courts to Carpenter Park at 6500 Preston Meadow Drive on June 19. The additional courts are being provided as part of a new partnership with the Plano Parks and Recreation Department, and Plano Sports Authority. New pickleball courts are opening thanks to high demand from residents and “the explosion of pickleball popularity,” according to the release. Plano Recreation Center members will get free access to the courts during specic hours. https://psaplano.org/ Home/Pickleball.aspx

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HEB’s new e-commerce fulllment center in Plano will help ll online orders for the grocer’s upcoming and current Dallas-Fort Worth locations. MICHAEL CROUCHLEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

10 Main Event Entertainment in Plano opened escape rooms in April as an addition to its other attractions. With ve rooms to choose from, Plano is the only one of the family-friendly arcade chain’s locations to oer a 60-minute escape room experience. The bocce ball attraction was removed to make room for the escape rooms, according to a spokesperson for the company. Main Event also has a bowling alley, virtual reality, laser tag and more. Main Event is located at 3941 N. Central Expressway. 972-881-8181. www.mainevent.com/ experiences/escape-rooms NAME CHANGES 11 Poseidon Pool Supply has opened with its new name at 2929 Custer Road, Ste. 340, in Plano. The pool supply store was formerly known as One Stop Pool Face Lift. In an April social media post, the company announced the name change was made to avoid confusion with a corporate competitor. Poseidon Pool Supply oers pool chemicals, equip- ment and remodeling. 972-476-7851. www.facebook.com/PoseidonPoolSupply “The purpose is to allow H-E-B to do more curbside and home delivery orders, do it with less substitutions, and probably most importantly, less carts down the aisles,” said Kedar Patel, H-E-B vice president of e-commerce. “This is a way of allowing us to continue FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON H-E-B is set to open a new facility in Plano to help with the retailer’s curbside and home delivery services. The new e-commerce fulllment center is slated to open this summer and will provide services to the retailer’s North Texas stores, according to a news release from the company. The center will be located at 6001 Preston Road, Ste. 120.

increasing capacity while making sure the in-store experience is great.” The opening of the center is also set to create around 125 jobs, H-E-B Digital Fulllment Ocial Joe Fairchild said. www.heb.com

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PLANO NORTH EDITION • JUNE 2023

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ture, decorations and home essentials at discounted prices. 972-519-2498. www.homegoods.com 4 Korean-based company SK Signet held a grand opening event for its new electric vehicle charger manufacturing facility on June 5, according to a press release from the city of Plano. The facility located at 4101 E. Plano Parkway is SK Signet’s first facility in the United States. SK Signet will make a variety of ultra-fast chargers for public charging stations, commercial companies, traditional gas stations and more. At full capacity, the facility will produce more than 10,000 charging stations per year, and it will create 183 jobs by 2026, according to the release. Plano Mayor John Muns and other city officials were present at the facilities grand opening. www.sksignet.us COMING SOON 5 Health-focused restaurant Flower Child is opening a location in Plano. The restaurant is expected to open later this year at 2101 Preston Road, Ste. A, according to a news release from the company. Flower Child is known for its salads, bowls, wraps and hippie-inspired aesthetic. The Plano restaurant will be the sixth North Texas location for the chain. www.iamaflowerchild.com 6 Zaap Kitchen Lao & Thai Street Eats will open in Plano at 5976 W. Parker Road, Ste. 304, in late June or early July, accord- ing to a spokesperson for the company.

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NOW OPEN 1 Snooze, an A.M. Eatery opened in Plano at 1900 Preston Road, Ste. 111, in February, according to its social media ac- counts. The breakfast and brunch restau- rant offers eggs, omelets and breakfast riffs; pancakes and French toast; and plant-based dishes, including adobo roast- ed veggie breakfast tacos and a kale and

avocado quinoa bowl. A kids menu is also available. The drink menu includes coffee, lattes, teas, cocktails and mocktails. 469-557-1970. www.snoozeeatery.com 2 A new Jersey Mike’s Subs lo- cation is now open in Plano at 3100 Independence Parkway, Ste. 102B. The New Jersey-based chain serves a variety of hot and cold sub sandwiches,

and offers catering and delivery. The location opened in early May, according to a store employee. 469-606-1250. www.jerseymikes.com 3 A new HomeGoods store in Pres- ton Park Village is now open. The home decor store opened on May 18 and is located at 4836 W. Park Blvd., Ste. 240H. HomeGoods is known for selling furni-

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COURTESY SNOOZE, AN A.M. EATERY

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The restaurant will serve a variety of Laotian cuisine, including curry, noodles, stir-fry and desserts. According to its website, the restaurant is named after the Lao word for “delicious.” The restaurant will occupy a former T-Mobile store. Zaap Kitchen will also open in location in Lake Highlands. www.zaapkitchen.com 7 Sterling and Stone Jewelry will be opening soon in south Plano. The opening is planned for July 1, accord- ing to owner Vinay Singh. The jewelry store is located at 1517 Preston Road, and will sell sterling silver jewelry, minerals and fossils. 214-749-0444. https://sterling-and-stone-jewelry. business.site RELOCATIONS 8 Dick’s Warehouse Sale in Plano relocated to 1701 Preston Road in May and

is now open. The store is a Dick’s Sporting Goods outlet and offers deep discounts on apparel for men, women and kids, according to the company’s website. The store carries a variety of athletic clothing and footwear. The store was previously located at 600 W. 15th St., Ste. B, near the former Collin Creek Mall. 724-579-9624. https://stores.dickssportinggoods.com/ tx/plano EXPANSIONS GreenPal , an app described as “Uber for lawn care,” expanded its service to Plano on May 18, co-founder Gene Caballero said. The app allows users to list their lawn care needs and service date. Green- Pal is based in Nashville and has expanded to over 250 markets, including Dallas and Fort Worth. www.yourgreenpal.com/tx/ plano-lawn-care

MICHAEL CROUCHLEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT Chally Bridal & Prom is set to open in August in the Shops at Willow Bend. FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON Chally Bridal & Prom is set to open Aug. 11 in Plano, according to co-owner James Kang.

Chally will host a grand opening event Aug. 11 with wedding dress designer Randy Fenoli scheduled to be in attendance. www.challybridalandprom.com

The store at 6121 W. Park Blvd., in the Shops at Willow Bend, will sell wedding and prom dresses. The 40,000-square- foot space will also feature an event center and will be the largest wedding salon in Texas, according to Kang. Kang and his wife, Ann, owned a bridal store in Missouri for 25 years before moving to Texas three years ago.

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PLANO NORTH EDITION • JUNE 2023

TODO LIST

June & July Events

Healthier back. More active you.

JULY 4

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY COLLIN COLLEGE SPRING CREEK CAMPUS

The city of Plano and the Rotary Clubs of Plano will be hosting a parade and nightlong “All American 4th” celebration for Independence Day. The event opens at 6 p.m. with several vendors selling food and beverages. A parade running along Spring Creek Parkway will start at 7:30 p.m., with a reworks show starting directly after. There will also be an area for children’s activities. 6-10 p.m. Free (admission). Collin College Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. bit.ly/3MzWevL

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to explore nature. The Creek & Critter Camp will include trips to Pitman Creek and explorations into the water creatures that live at the museum’s 4.5-acre site. Activities include science experiments, nature art, games and explorations of the outdoor world. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.). $250 (weekly). Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W. 15th St., Plano. 972-881-0140. education@heritagefarmstead.org. www.heritagefarmstead.org 16 BUY FRESH PRODUCE monthly farmers markets are back through December. The market will feature vendors selling handmade jewelry, accessories, home goods, foods, candles, soaps and more. The market will also have lawn games and several restaurant options on the Boardwalk. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free (admission). The Boardwalk at Granite Park, 5800 SH 121, Plano. www.boardwalkgranitepark.com 18 PLAY SOME TRIVIA Test your sitcom knowledge at Legacy Hall’s sitcom trivia night. Teams will be quizzed on their knowledge of “Seinfeld,” “The Oce,” “Friends” and other popular sitcoms. Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite sitcom characters, as a costume contest will be held at the end of the night. The Boardwalk at Granite Park’s Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams. 7 p.m. $30. Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. 972-846-4255. bit.ly/3OoaqJM 19 AND 24 GRAB A DRINK In celebration of National Daiquiri Day on July 18 and National Tequila Day on July 24, Legacy Hall will be oering discounted drinks. Stop in to grab a $6 Bacardi and Daiquiri on July 18, or $6 tequila shot or margarita on the July 24. The events will occur rain or shine. All day. $6 drinks. Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. www.legacywest.com/legacy-hall

COMPILED BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY JUNE 24 RUN FOR THE KIDS a 5K and 1K Fun Run to help ght against pediatric cancer. Participants can run either race at Oak Point Nature Preserve, with In-N-Out Burger provided for runners afterwards. A beer garden and kid zone will also be available, and racers will receive a custom event shirt and medal. 7:30 a.m. (1K Fun Run), 8:30 a.m. (5K).$45 (5K), $32 (1K Fun Run), $42 (shirt and medal only). Registration not required for ages 0-4. 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano. 214-752-7912. www.wokc.org/rftk 30 THROUGH JULY 2 WATCH AN INCLUSIVE SHOW North Texas Performing Arts is hosting its Deaf Theater Showcase. The showcase, titled “A Union of Hands and Voices,” will have three showings at the Willowbend Center of the Arts. The original showcase Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer is hosting highlights the diverse culture of the Deaf. Actors will also be invited to share their experiences using a variety of Deaf theater styles. 7:30 p.m. (June 30, July 1), 2:30 p.m. (July 2). $14. North Texas Performing Arts, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Ste. B216. https://ntpa.org/event/ deaf-theatre-showcase JULY 3 GET IN THE PATRIOTIC SPIRIT The Plano Community Band is holding its free patriotic concert. The concert is open to the public and is part of the Community Band’s series of free summer concerts in Haggard Park. 7 p.m. Free. Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St., Plano. www.planoband.com 10 TROUGH 14 EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS The Heritage Farmstead Museum is hosting its weeklong camp for children in kindergarten through sixth grade

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Find more or submit Plano events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

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TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

A worker installs a new vinyl seat on a Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus.

COURTESY DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT

BY CECILIA LENZEN DART buses get interior upgrades

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coee—that’s the last thing you want to start your day with,” Shattles said. The new seats will make it easier to avoid situations like that, he added. DART vehicles began receiving new vinyl seating in May, and the process is expected to be completed in Novem- ber, according to a DART news release. Swapping fabric cushions with vinyl ones is “not a quick process,” Shattles said. The agency has set up a “con- veyor system” for buses to swap cloth seats out with vinyl ones when they pull into a station. The process takes about 30-45 minutes per bus, and the agency has a eet of 163 vehicles. The change does not include DART’s electric buses, which already have vinyl seats. DART is using on-board contract cleaning personnel to remove trash and debris aboard light rail vehicles throughout the day. Buses receive nightly cleaning, Shattles said.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit is replac- ing 34,000 fabric seat cushions with new vinyl ones across its bus eet. The change is meant to ensure a cleaner and more comfortable expe- rience for passengers, spokesperson Gordon Shattles said. “The long-term goal of this is to make sure we have a very clean system for all of our riders,” Shattles said. “A lot of folks were worried after COVID[- 19], [but] we want to make sure that our riders have a safe, ... clean and eective ride.” Previously, workers would remove dirty cloth seats in the evening and replace them with clean ones. Shattles said the vinyl seats will be wiped clean throughout the day. “I know as a passenger, when you come inside [a bus] where someone spilled their coee but it’s blended in so you sit down in a pile of

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ONGOING PROJECTS

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Parker Road corridor intersection improvements Crews will be adding lanes to the intersections of A Parker Road and Coit Road, and B Parker Road and Alma Drive. Timeline: June 2023-January 2024 Cost: $2.9 million Funding sources: city of Plano, Re- gional Toll Revenue, Collin County

Custer Road repairs Crews will be making pavement and sidewalk repairs on Custer Road from Plano Parkway to 15th Street in both directions. One lane will remain closed to trac at all times, with a second lane to be closed daily between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Timeline: June 2023-September 2023 Cost: $500,000 Funding source: city of Plano

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PLANO NORTH EDITION • JUNE 2023

AT THE CAPITOL

News from the 88th legislative session

QUOTE OF NOTE

Attorney General Ken Paxton impeached, suspended

“TODAY OUR GRID IS MORE RELIABLE THAN EVER. TOGETHER WE’VE OVERCOME INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES AND DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISE TO TEXANS SOMETIMES SEEMINGLY

BY HANNAH NORTON

A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON

The Texas House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27 over allegations of bribery, conspiracy and other forms of misconduct. House lawmakers voted 121-23 to adopt 20 articles of impeachment against the third-term Republican. The House General Investigating Committee began a probe into Paxton’s alleged misconduct in March after he asked the Texas Legislature to use public funds to pay for a $3.3 million settlement between Paxton and four of his former employees. Paxton is suspended from oce without pay and barred from performing his ocial duties. Former Secretary of State John Scott will serve as interim attorney general, Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 31. Next, the Texas Senate will conduct a trial to determine if Paxton will be reinstated or permanently removed from oce. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will serve as the judge. Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin will prosecute Paxton during the trial, and Houston attorney Tony Buzbee will lead the legal team representing Paxton. If two-thirds of senators vote to convict Paxton on the impeachment charges, he will not be allowed to run for re-election or hold any other state oce in Texas. Paxton, who has denied the allegations, called the House’s vote to impeach him a “sham” and said he looked forward to “a quick resolution in the Texas Senate.”

FEB. 10 Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four former employees who said they were wrongfully red in 2020. FEB. 21 Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund his settlement with taxpayer money. MARCH 820 House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation into Paxton and the proposed settlement. MAY 24 Attorneys present material from the investigation during a four-hour committee hearing. MAY 25 The committee unanimously adopts 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The articles and a full transcript of the hearing are shared with House lawmakers. MAY 31 Gov. Greg Abbott appoints former Secretary of State John Scott to serve as interim attorney general. MAY 27 After four hours of debate, Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from oce. JUNE 20 Seven state senators will present the proposed rules for the impeachment trial to the full Senate. Once the rules are adopted, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will set a date for the trial. JUNE 1 Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin are selected as prosecutors for the Texas Senate trial. SOURCE: TEXAS HOUSE GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

THAT WE’D KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.”

PETER LAKE, OUTGOING CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS. LAKE RESIGNED JUNE 2.

NUMBER TO KNOW have set aside in a 1,030-page budget, which will fund a variety of state programs for scal years 2024 and 2025. $321B That’s how much Texas lawmakers

UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS

MATT SHAHEEN Plano Republican Elected: 2014

Texas lawmakers clash on property tax cuts

Texas Legislature expands rearm background checks

House Bill 621 Rep. Shaheen authored this bill relating to creating a temporary certication to teach career and technology education for certain military service members and rst responders. The bill was signed in the house and senate on May 29, and was sent to the Governor on May 30.

BY HANNAH NORTON

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TAX RELIEF PLANS

After the Texas Legislature ended its regular legislative session May 29, Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to Austin for a 30-day special session to cut prop- erty taxes and increase penalties for human smuggling. The governor specied lawmakers should provide “lasting property tax relief for Texas taxpayers” by reduc- ing tax rates for public schools. The Texas House passed three bills May 30 that met the governor’s request and adjourned for the rest of the session. This left the Senate with two options: pass the House’s proposals or end the session without any bills being signed by the governor. Senators passed their own legislation but did not approve the House bills. All bills must be passed by both chambers to become law. Abbott said he would call a second special session to resolve the issue if lawmakers do not agree on a property tax proposal.

The Texas House and Senate advanced competing plans to cut property taxes May 30. Here’s what the two proposals could mean for homeowners. Both plans • Use $12.3B in state funds to compress school tax rates House Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.162 for every $100 of a home’s value Senate Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.10 for every $100 of a home’s value • Raise homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 Homestead exemption : the portion of a home’s value that cannot be taxed Tax rate compression : state provides money to public school districts to reduce their tax rates

BY HANNAH NORTON

Under a new law, federal law enforcement can access informa- tion about Texans with potentially harmful mental health conditions during the routine background checks completed before someone can buy a rearm. Senate Bill 728 requires county clerks to notify the Texas Depart- ment of Public Safety if a court determines an adult with a mental illness or intellectual disability is unt to go to trial, is not responsi- ble for their own actions, or needs inpatient services or residential long-term care. State Rep. Je Leach, RPlano, said the law does not impact responsible gun owners but will “[keep] rearms out of the hands of dangerous Texans who do not need to have them.” Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill June 2. It will become law Sept. 1.

MIHAELA PLESA Plano Democrat Elected: 2022

House Bill 1211 Rep. Plesa authored this bill relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans. Mental health professionals would include licensed physicians, psychologists, social workers, marriage therapists and others. The bill was signed in the house and senate on May 29, and was sent to the Governor on May 30. Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

OPENING UP OMNI PGA The land where Omni PGA Frisco Resort now stands was once nothing more than a “Field of Dreams” area ve years ago, Gov. Greg Abbott said at the grand opening. 2018: early discussions about the resort May 4, 2021: Omni PGA Frisco celebrates groundbreaking. Feb. 11, 2022: project reaches halfway point and topping out of hotel building. August 22, 2022: PGA Frisco Headquarters opens. March 28, 2023: resort grand opening date announced for May 2. May 2, 2023: Omni PGA Frisco celebrates grand opening.

SOURCE: OMNI PGA FRISCO RESORT COMMUNITY IMPACT

OFFERING LUXURY Approximately 30,000 rooms have already been booked for guests through the end of the year. The development sits on more than 60 acres of land on the larger PGA campus, bringing golfers and non- golfers alike a specialized experience.

State, city and Omni PGA Frisco Resort ocials cut the ribbon to the new Omni PGA Frisco Resort during a ceremony May 2.

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA DOUTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Omni PGA to oer resort accommodations, golf Omni ocials, state and city lead- ers, and hundreds of guests cheered as the doors to the Omni PGA Frisco Resort opened for the rst time at a enjoying the restaurants and enjoying the bars, putting on The Dance Floor, doing the par three course which we call The Swing,” Blake said. “It’s just going to be a beehive of activity that’s unlike anything else that exists at a common hotel or resort.” BY ALEX REECE

500 guest rooms

4 pools

5 retail shops

May 2 ribbon cutting ceremony. “I do a lot of these events,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “But it seems, as [Mayor Je Cheney] knows, that I may be doing more of these in Frisco than any other place in the state of Texas.” Early discussions for the resort date back to 2018, said TRT Holdings President Blake Rowling. TRT Hold- ings is the parent company of Omni. “Construction on the golf course started 1,362 days ago…and now today, we’re going to open this won- derful resort,” said Je Smith, Omni PGA Frisco Resort’s vice president. The $520 million development cov- ers 60 acres of land on the overall PGA campus and has many amenities to oer its guests, said Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels and Resorts. Besides simply having a place to stay, guests will be able to enjoy spa treatments, shopping, bars, restau- rants and golf activities. “I think on a day like today, we’re gonna have 1,500 people over there

Another addition to the experience at Omni PGA is the “historic views” of the sprawling golf courses visible from the resort and its ranch houses, 10 small cabins available for guests to stay in instead of a room, Cheney said. “The experiences and the inspira- tion behind this resort are all rooted in authentic stories and have an intentional nod to the extraordinary energy and spirit that exists in Texas,” Alexander said. Although it has just opened, Omni PGA plans to make a lasting impact on the residents of Frisco as well as its visitors, Cheney said. Not only were 508 of the more than 1,000 resort employees hired directly from a University of North Texas Frisco campus hiring event, 300 golfers from Frisco ISD will be invited to train at PGA annually. “If we’re not wearing state titles every year, we got a problem,”

10 luxury four- bedroom ranch houses

127,000 square feet of meeting space

13 food and beverage outlets

SOURCE: OMNI PGA FRISCO RESORT COMMUNITY IMPACT

Omni PGA Frisco Resort 4341 PGA Parkway, Frisco 469-305-4500 www.omnihotels.com Reservations can be made online or by phone.

Omni PGA Frisco Resort has several bars and restaurants on site.

Cheney said jokingly. In the time since the resort was rst announced, the project had died and been reborn many times until it was nally built and nished, Smith said. “On behalf of our city council, everyone who leaned in to make this a project reality…the residents of Frisco that are going to enjoy this project for generations, let me be the rst to say join me in giving them a warm Frisco welcome,” Cheney said.

FRISCO

380

PLANO NORTH EDITION • JUNE 2023

CITY & SCHOOLS

News from Plano ISD & Plano

District raises employee pay, starting salaries for teachers

Closed captioning to be included on all city televisions PLANO All public-facing televisions in Plano will now have closed captioning on. What happened: Plano City Council unanimously voted to adopt a reso- lution that will require all city-owned televisions to have closed captioning turned on during its May 22 meeting. The resolution also encourages local businesses to do the same. How we got here : The resolution was introduced after Meryl Evans, a deaf Plano citizen, asked whether all public-facing televisions could have closed captioning on. Quote of note: “The biggest barrier for me as a deaf citizen is communi- cation,” Evans said at the meeting. “Having closed captions in public spaces improves communication and inclusion.”

WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING

A 3% pay increase for all Plano ISD district employees was approved.

Increasing

$60,000 Teacher starting salary

PLANO ISD New teachers in Plano ISD will see a higher starting salary, and all district employees are set for a 3% raise after the approval of a new compensation plan. The overview: The PISD board of trustees unanimously approved the district’s plan for the 2023-24 school year during its May 16 meeting. The adjustments were made to remain competitive with the local job market, according to a news release from the district. The breakdown: The new plan outlined raises and other pay changes for the 2023-24 school year, including: • A 3% pay increase for all district employees • Increasing starting salary for teach- ers with a bachelor’s degree and no

experience from $58,250 to $60,000 • Increasing starting salary for teach- ers with a master’s degree and no experience from $60,250 to $62,000 • Increasing district contributions for employee health insurance from $315 to $330 per month • Increasing starting pay for campus support staff to $15 per hour • Increasing stipends for special education teachers, bilingual teachers, school nurses and behavioral instructional specialists by $2,000-$5,000 Quote of note: “We asked our taxpayers to please allow us to be able to put more money towards compensating our teachers,” Trustee Lauren Tyra said during the meeting. “I feel confident that the package ... is honoring that promise we made to our taxpayers.”

$62,000 Teacher with a master’s degree starting salary $315-$330 Monthly health insurance contributions $15 Support staff starting pay (hourly) $2,000-$5,000 Stipends for special education teachers, bilingual teachers, school nurses and behavioral specialists

SOURCE: PLANO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT Learn more: More information on the new compensation plan can be found on PISD’s website at bit.ly/3N1cYLk

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Plano City Council meets at 7 p.m. on June 26 and July 10. Meetings are held at 1520 K Ave., Plano, and can be streamed online. 972-941-7000. www.plano.gov Plano ISD board of trustees meets at 6 p.m. on June 20 and Aug. 8 at the PISD Administration Center, 2700 W. 15th St., Plano. 469-752-8100. www.pisd.edu MEETINGS WE COVER NORTH TEXAS TOLLWAY AUTHORITY The per-mile rate will rise from $0.20 to $0.21 on July 1 totaling approximately $5.60 more per month for most TollTag customers, according to a June 1 NTTA news release. Drivers who use the pay-by-mail ZipCash method instead of a TollTag will pay double the rate to compensate for collection costs. HIGHLIGHTS PLANO Ben Coogan is set to take over as the new CEO at Medical City Plano, according to a news release from the hospital. Coogan is the CEO of Medical City Fort Worth and is set to assume his new role June 26. Coogan will succeed Jyric Sims, who was recently promoted to president of HCA Healthcare’s West Florida Division.

Plano ISD appoints principals, director of special education PLANO ISD The district will have a pair of new high school princi- pals and a new director of special education next school year. The big picture: Kennitra Robertson and David Jones were appointed as principals of Vines High School and Plano East Senior High School, respectively. Tyrell White was also appointed the district’s new director of special education. The board of trustees approved the appointments during its May 16 meeting. The new appointees are set to assume their new roles for the 2023- 24 school year. The details: White has previously served as executive director of special services in Midland ISD, along with several other district leadership positions, according to a

Texas Pool headed toward heritage landmark designation PLANO A Texas-sized pool in the shape of the Lone Star State is closer to receiving a heritage landmark designation in Plano. The overview: The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission voted on May 15 to approve the designation for the Texas Pool, which is located at 901 Springbrook Drive. Heritage designations in Plano are for districts with properties that are recognized for their historic significance by the city, the state or the National Parks Service, the city’s website states. The background: The Texas Pool Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) corporation formed in 2013, is responsible for maintaining the pool, according to its website. Through the heritage designation, the foundation can apply for grant funding.

Kennitra Robertson

David Jones

news release from PISD. White is also a board-certified teacher and is on the board of directors for the Texas Council for Administrators of Special Education. Robertson was

Tyrell White

the principal of Robinson Middle School prior to her recent appoint- ment, and she has also served as assistant principal at Otto Middle School. Jones was previously named prin- cipal of Shepton High School in 2021 after several years as an assistant principal at the school. He has spent 16 years as a teacher, coach and principal in the district.

PLANO 5930 West Park Blvd (972) 250-0500

ALLEN 1839 N Central Expressway (972) 908-3488

EAST PLANO 3404 N Central Expressway (972) 423-6688

COIT ROAD 1453 Coit Rd (972) 867-2821

COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023

GOLD SPONSOR

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HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT

Local health care data and information

COMPILED BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY

WORKFORCE BY COUNTY

PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, 2022

Profession count

Per 100,000 residents

County rank statewide

Texas had 23,424 registered primary care physicians in 2022, creating a ratio of one primary care physician for every 1,309 Texas residents. Collin and Denton counties surpassed the state ratio.

1,121

101.9

529

Collin County

DENTIST, 2022

289

377

Denton County

Profession count

Per 100,000 residents

County rank statewide

380

966

87.8

DNT TOLL

54.7

522

SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH PROFESSIONS RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR COUNTY?

These rankings of all counties statewide are updated annually but include data from previous years. The factors listed are not comprehensive.

HEALTH OUTCOMES INCLUDE: HEALTH FACTORS INCLUDE: Length of life

2023 STATEWIDE HEALTH CARE RANKINGS OUT OF 244 RANKED COUNTIES

Quality of life • Poor mental and physical health days reported

HEALTH OUTCOMES

2 2 3

1 1 1

Length of life Overall Quality of life

Health behaviors

Socioeconomic factors

• Smoking and excessive drinking • Obesity • Physical activity • Alcohol-impaired driving deaths • Sexually transmitted infections • Teen births

• Educational attainment levels • Children in poverty • Income inequality • Violent crimes

HEALTH FACTORS

4 4 9 6

1 1 1

Overall

Health behaviors

Socioeconomic Physical environment Clinical care

Clinical care

Physical environment factors

• Health insurance coverage • Number of physicians, dentists, mental health providers • Preventable hospital stays • Flu vaccinations

• Air pollution • Drinking water violations • Housing problems • Long commutes

SOURCES: ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN POPULATION HEALTH INSTITUTE, COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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