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PLANO SOUTH EDITION
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 JULY 22 AUG. 18, 2023
Bellagreen adds hours and breakfast menu
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Check out an AC/DC cover band
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HOME EDITION 2023 Covino’s serving Plano for over 3 decades
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COST OF LIVING
The average price of rent in Plano has risen 33% in the last three years. (Michael Crouchley/ Community Impact)
Plano rents continue to outpace North Texas region Living in Plano got much more expensive during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and renters have seen little relief in the last few years. On average, an apartment in Plano cost $1,296 per month in July 2020, and three years later, that average cost has risen to approximately $1,731 per month, according to market data from MRI Apartment Data. That trend is mirrored through- out Dallas-Fort Worth. While Pla- no’s average rent is around $200 higher than the average for the Dal- las-Fort Worth metroplex, North Texas has seen 39.84% growth in average rent, up to $1,510 per month, over that same time period. That continued rise came as a surprise to Sarah Masih, Salva- tion Army North Texas’ direc- tor of adult and family services. “I think we all thought once the pandemic [was] over, we would start to see some degree of normalcy and some stabilization,” she said. “What we realized is that’s not the case.” As rents have remained high, CONTINUED ON 21 BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY
Real estate data
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Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals. Methodist Health System complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
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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 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM EDITOR Michael Crouchley GRAPHIC DESIGNER David Bravo Moreno ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ta y 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: Welcome to our Home Edition, where we have plenty of information for Plano readers looking to move, sell a home or just get started on the latest home improvement project. Turn to Page 17 to check out a glance at the latest data on the local real estate market. Readers can also nd Q&As with local home improvement experts on Page 19. Also makesure to give our front-page story a read if you or a family member is looking to enter the renting market. Rent prices in the area have skyrocketed in the last few years, and even nding an apartment to rent is tough with the area’s high occupancy rate. We also have an update on Plano’s latest e orts to regulate short-term rentals from Reporter Colby Farr on Page 20. Michael Crouchley, EDITOR
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NOW OPEN 1 Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center opened in Plano at 5930 W. Park Blvd., Ste. 600, on July 10, according to a company spokesperson. The clinic offers services such as orthopedics, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, manual ther- apy and balance therapy. 972-996-4660. www.fyzical.com/west-plano-tx 2 Alchemy 43 opened a new studio in Plano on May 5, according to a spokesper- son for the company. The new studio is lo- cated at 900 Preston Road, Ste. 203. The Plano location is Alchemy 43’s fourth stu- dio in Texas. Alchemy 43 offers a variety of skin treatments, including Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling and wellness shots. 972-330-8943. www.alchemy43.com 3 Stick and Bindle Gallery hosted a grand opening event June 23 in Pla- no. The art gallery is located at 1423 K Ave., said owner Fritz Peitzner, who also owns Carriers Skate Shop in down- town Plano. The gallery features framed and digital pictures, T-shirts, custom wallets, and more from local artists. Peitzner plans to have Stick and Bindle open on Fridays with monthly events hosted at the gallery. 214-683-5349.
COMING SOON 7 Bakery chain House of Bread plans to open a new location in Plano. The bakery will be located at 1941 Preston Road, Ste. A1012, and is expected to open later this summer, a spokesperson for the com- pany said. House of Bread serves a variety of handmade bread loaves and other baked goods, such as cinnamon rolls, muffins and croissants. The California-based chain has one Texas location at 7551 Eldora- do Parkway, McKinney. 214-709-0739. www.houseofbread.com 8 A new Dunkin’ restaurant is coming soon to South Plano. The restaurant will be located at 3801 W. President George Bush Turnpike and is estimated to open in late fall, a spokesperson for the company said. The chain is known for its donuts, coffee and other beverages. This will be the third Dunkin’ location in Plano. www.dunkindonuts.com 9 La La Land Kind Cafe is set to open soon in Plano. The coffee shop chain is known for its yellow interior and decor; espresso and matcha lattes; and cheery, positive attitude. La La Land will be located at 2301 Preston Road, Ste. A,
www.stickandbindlegallery.com 4 Sterling and Stone Jewelry held its grand opening in Plano on July 1, owner Seema Singh said. The jewelry store is located at 1517 Preston Road in a building formerly occupied by a Chase Bank and sells sterling silver, miner- als and gemstones. 718-908-8808. https://sterling-and-stone-jewelry. business.site 5 Arepa Station opened in mid-May in The Shops at Willow Bend, a company spokesperson said. The restaurant, located at 6121 W. Park Blvd., Ste. 108, Plano, serves Venezuelan comfort food. 469- 823-5088. www.arepastationbar.com 6 A new Hotworx fitness studio opened in late June at 1900 Preston Road, Ste. 337, Plano, a spokesperson for the compa- ny said. The 24-hour infrared fitness studio also offers virtually instructed exercise programs. Programs include 30-minute isometric workouts and 15-minute high-in- tensity interval training workouts, accord- ing to Hotworx’s website. Members also have access to weights, ropes and other equipment to take advantage of before, after or in between infrared workout ses- sions. 972-600-1234. www.hotworx.net
Dunkin’
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and is set to open in late July or early August, according to a company repre- sentative. There are several La La Land locations throughout Texas and California.
www.lalalandkindcafe.com NEW OWNERSHIP
10 Baylor Scott & White Health is partnering with NextCare Urgent Care to jointly own all 41 NextCare sites in Texas, according to a July 6 news release. NextCare Urgent Care will integrate its Texas offerings into Baylor Scott & White Health’s existing care network, making the health care system one of the state’s larg- est providers of urgent care, according to the release. The two NextCare Urgent Care locations in Plano are on Plano Parkway and Alma Drive. EXPANSIONS 11 Bellagreen , a fast-casual Texas bistro chain, expanded the hours at its
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FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN The Plano African American Museum reopened more than 10 years after it originally closed. The museum opened June 17 as part of the city’s Juneteenth celebration. The Plano African American Museum is located at 900 13th St. in the Douglass Community, a historically Black neighborhood in downtown Plano. Dollie Thomas, a member of the Plano African American Museum board of directors, said the museum plans to have a lecture series and various temporary exhibits while also working with the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano. The museum is eventually aiming to be open six days a week. Plano location to offer a new breakfast menu. The Plano restaurant, located at 2408 Preston Road, Ste. A, started offering breakfast June 27 while moving its opening time back to 7 a.m., according to a company spokesperson. Breakfast is available from 7-11 a.m. every day. The new breakfast menu includes French toast, pancakes, a protein bowl, avocado toast, a yogurt parfait and various other options. Bellagreen has eight locations throughout Texas, and the Plano location is the first to add a breakfast menu. 972-975-9033. www.bellagreen.com 12 Plans are underway to build a new parking garage on the west side of the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano campus, located at 6200 W. Parker Road, according to documents filed with the state. A spokesperson for the hospital said the park structure will be on the corner of Parker Road and Midway Road. Construc- tion is planned to begin in September with a July 2024 completion date. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the project is expect- ed to cost $19 million. 972-981-8000. www.texashealth.org
The museum is the only museum in Collin County that focuses on Black history. “We invite anybody who has that desire to learn,” Thomas said. 469-863-7226. www.planoafricanamericanmuseum.org
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story YOUR BUSINESS HAS A ies. 469-814-0216. www.phoreal.us 3 H-E-B held a grand opening event for its new e-commerce ful llment center in Plano on June 20, according to a news release from the company. The 55,000-square-foot facility is attached to the Plano H-E-B at 6001 Preston Road. The facility helps the retailer ll curbside and home deliveries at the retailer’s Plano and Frisco locations along with the NOW OPEN 1 Express India opened in Plano on June 10, o ering up authentic Indian cuisine, a spokesperson for the com- pany said. The restaurant, located at 3933 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 100, serves a diverse menu of North and South Indian specialty dishes. The menu includes soups, samosas, masala dishes, biryanis, desserts and more. 972-424- 4021. www.express-india.com 2 Pho Real opened a new location in Plano, its second in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, on June 10, a spokesperson for the company said. Located at 6205 Coit Road, the restaurant o ers Vietnamese fare, serving appetizers, vermicelli, pho and noodles as well as a drink menu that includes milk tea, fruit tea and smooth- P L A N O P K W Y . DNT TOLL
planned locations in Allen and McKinney. The Plano center is H-E-B’s sixth e-com- merce ful llment center and the rst in North Texas. www.heb.com 4 Vibe Car Wash in Plano opened in late May. The car wash located at 801 W. Spring Creek Parkway was pre- viously a Speedway Express Car Wash, and it was closed for renovations for six months. Vibe Car Wash opened with a renovated space and all-new equipment, according to a spokesperson for the com- pany. The company also has a location coming soon to McKinney. 972-517-4193. www.vibecarwashes.com 5 Red Bird Natural Healing opened in Plano on June 19, owner and naturopathic doctor Sherian McCoy said. The center is located at 3604 Preston Road, Ste. 200, and provides a variety of alternative and holistic health care options, including salt therapy, an infrared sauna, ionic foot baths and more. Red Bird also o ers mentoring sessions and coaching for patients ghting cancer. 214-440-2456. http://redbirdnaturalhealing.com 6 Break Stop convenience store opened a second Plano location in mid-June, owner Suman Avaduta said. 15THST.
The store o ers snacks, soft drinks and candy. The store owner said along with providing refreshments, he hopes Break Stop can be a place where community members can hang out, and he plans to install a game area. The new store is located at 909 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Ste. 304. Break Stop’s rst location is located in The Shops at Willow Bend. www.break-stop.com 7 Ricky’s Nashville Hot Chicken held a soft opening for its Plano location on June 8th, according to the company’s social media. Located at 8400 Pres- ton Road Ste. 100 in the Preston Creek Shopping Center, the restaurant o ers Nashville-style spicy chicken with various heat options that range from “no heat” to “a-bomb.” The restaurant has locations in Richardson and Arlington. 214-299-9082. www.rickyshotchicken.com COMING SOON 8 LifePath Systems broke ground on its new facility in north McKinney on June 27, according to a news release. Construction on the 110,000-square- foot campus at the southeast corner of Bloomdale Road and Community Avenue 1 4 T H ST.
Vibe Car Wash
MICHAEL CROUCHLEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
is expected to begin later this year. The organization’s leaders anticipate the new McKinney campus will be complete by fall 2024. LifePath Systems is a nonpro t organization aiding the intellectually disabled, those who are mentally ill and children who are developmentally de- layed in Collin County. The organization also serves as the county’s designated behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities authority, according to its website. The facility will o er public meeting rooms, o ces for administration, an expanded crisis center and intensive behavioral health services. The facility will also have space available for expanding programs in the future. 972-562-0190. www.lifepathsystems.org RELOCATIONS 9 Credit Union of Texas relocated its Plano branch to McKinney on June 26, ac- cording to the credit union’s website and signage in the building’s door. The branch
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Breakout Games introduced two new escape rooms in late June. DUSTIN BUTLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
previously located at 7801 Coit Road relocated to 6701 Alma Road, McKinney. The Plano branch’s lobby and drive-thru closed June 26, while the interactive teller services was available until July 21, according to Credit Union of Texas’ web- site. Credit Union of Texas o ers banking, loans, car-buying services and more. The credit union has 16 branches throughout Texas, including one in Richardson, a second in McKinney and two in Lewisville. 972-263-9497. www.cutx.org ANNIVERSARIES 10 United Way of Denton County celebrated its 70th anniversary June 8 with newly renovated o ces. The renovation was prompted by a burst water line following a December freeze, according to a news release. The nonpro t is located at 1314 Teasley Lane, Denton, and it services Denton County. United Way of Denton County is a local a liate of the global nonpro t organization founded in 1953. Organi- zation o cials identify the community’s critical needs and implement solutions, according to its website. 940-566-5851. www.unitedwaydenton.org The rst new game is called Wild West, General Manager Je Gershenfeld said, and has players attempt to nd a stash of gold hidden within the room. The game starts players in two di erent rooms and allows them to speak with each other through a set of saloon- style swinging doors. In addition, some players are handcu ed at the beginning of the game. The other escape room is based on the board game Clue, and Gershenfeld said FEATURED IMPACT EXPANSION Breakout Games , located at 2301 Central Expressway, Ste. 285, Plano, introduced two new escape rooms in late June, one of which is based on a classic Hasbro board game.
Book an appointment at ndbt.com or call us today at 972.716.7191 to learn more!
Breakout Games “built a real-life version of the mansion” from the game. The reception to both games has been positive, Gershenfeld said, adding players have been asking about the new games for several months. 972-474-0111. www.breakoutgames.com
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PLANO SOUTH EDITION • JULY 2023
TO DO LIST
July & August events
AUG. 04
ROCK OUT TO BACK IN BLACK LEGACY HALL
AC/DC cover band Back In Black will be at the Lexus Box Garden. Back In Black is composed of local musicians who strive to capture the sound and aesthetic of AC/DC, including lead singer Darren Caperna who auditioned to tour with AC/DC. 7 p.m. (doors open), 8 p.m. (show starts). $10-$310 (individual tickets). Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. 972-846-4255. www.visitplano.com/event/ac-dc-tribute-back-in-black-2
W hen you contribute a new pair of shoes, they will be received by one of the world’s most vulnerable children. Shoes reduce barriers to school attendance, health issues, and self-esteem. New shoes may be a child’s first experience with God’s love for them. Impact a life today by giving shoes.
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quilts made by local crafters at this event put on by the Quilters Guild of Plano. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 (daily admission, ages 12 and up), free (children age 12 and under). Plano Event Center, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. www.qgplano.org/quilt- show/plano-quilt-show 16 HAVE A RUM BELIEVABLE WEDNESDAY It’s a Bacardi party at Legacy Hall on National Rum Day. All day long, celebrate the holiday with $6 Bacardi shots and daiquiris. Legacy Hall’s hours on Aug. 16 are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission to the hall is free. 5908 Headquarters Drive, Plano. 972-846-4255. www.visitplano.com/ event/national-rum-day 11 THROUGH 12 WATCH COMEDIAN DAVID KOECHNER Comedian David Koechner will perform several shows in Plano. Koechner is known for his appearances in “The O ce,” “Superior Donuts,” “Anchorman” and more. When he isn’t busy lming for one of the 160 lms and television shows he has appeared in, he performs stand-up comedy around the country. 7:30 p.m. (Aug. 10); 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m. (Aug. 11); 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. (Aug. 12). $26.95 (individual tickets). Plano House of Comedy, 7301 Lone Star Drive, Ste. A-110, Plano. 469-440-9292. https://tx.houseofcomedy.net/attraction/ david-koechner-special-presentation 20 CREATE ART WITH THE FAMILY Learn about Pablo Picasso’s work and create your own artwork. The event is the last in a series of events from Plano public libraries, which teaches attendees about famous artist’s work. The event is open to all ages, but scissor control mastery is recommended. Admission is free, but tickets are only available in person, 30 minutes before the event starts. 2 p.m. Schimelpfenig Library, 7501-B Independence Parkway, Plano. 972-208-8000. bit.ly/3PShEWX
COMPILED BY KAITLYNN HUTCHINS JULY 29 CATCH A TOADIES SHOW Fort Worth-based rock band Toadies will perform at the Lexus Box Garden. The band is known for their song “Possum Kingdom,” named for the North Texas lake. Toadies will be joined by special guest Here Holy Spain, an indie trio from Dallas. 6 p.m. (doors open), 7 p.m. (show). $30- $720 (individual tickets). Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. 972-846-4255. www.visitplano.com/event/toadies 29 WATCH A PUPPET SHOW Head over to see this “soup opera,” a puppet show about a diner who tries to enjoy a bowl of soup. The show at Davis library is intended for all ages. 11 a.m. Free. Davis Library, 7501-B Independence Parkway, Plano. 972-208-8000. https://plano-cep. bc.sirsidynix.net/event/puppet-show- soup-opera-all-ages-5/2023-07-29 AUGUST 03 THROUGH 06 LAUGH OUT LOUD WITH K VON Comedian and author K-Von has appeared on Net ix, NBC and has done his own TED Talk. Now, he is visiting Plano for several performances and signings of his book, “Once You Go Persian,” a book investigating his roots as a half-Persian American. 7 p.m. (Aug. 3); 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., (Aug. 4); 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., (Aug. 5), 7 p.m. (Aug. 6). $25-$40 (individual tickets). Plano House of Comedy, 7301 Lone Star Drive, Ste. A-110, Plano. 469-440-9292.https://tx.houseofcomedy.net/ attraction/k-von-special-presentation 11 THROUGH 12 GET YOUR QUILT FIX Check out Quilt Plano 2023, an annual show that celebrates quilting. Shop, learn more about the craft and view
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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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Legacy (PS–K) (469) 573-0077 6700 Communications Parkway, Plano Independence (PS–G2) (469) 642-2000 10145 Independence Parkway, Plano
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Road. The repairs will be from A the west city limits to Preston Road in both direc- tions and from B the eastern city limit to Alma Drive in both directions. Timeline: July 2022-October 2023 Cost: $12.4 million Funding source: city of Plano 5 Plano Parkway improvements Crews are making pavement and sidewalk repairs on Plano Parkway from Plano’s eastern city limit to US 75 in both direc- tions. One lane will remain closed to traffic at all times with a second lane to be closed daily between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Timeline: August 2022-November 2023 Cost: $6.47 million Funding source: city of Plano 6 Hedgcoxe Road pavement and sidewalk repairs Crews are making pavement and sidewalk repairs on Hedgcoxe Road from Custer Road to Legacy Drive in both directions. One lane will remain closed to traffic at all times, with a second lane to be closed daily between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Timeline: August 2022-August 2023 Cost: $3.3 million Funding source: city of Plano UPCOMING PROJECTS 7 Hedgcoxe Road asphalt improvements Crews will be placing an ultra-thin asphalt overlay on Hedgcoxe Road between Coit Road and Independence Parkway. Two lanes will remain closed between 9 p.m.-6 a.m. All lanes will be open during the day. Timeline: August-September Cost: $1.1 million Funding source: city of Plano
Celebrating 60 years
ONGOING PROJECTS 1 Parkwood Boulevard asphalt im- provements Crews are placing an ultra-thin asphalt overlay on Parkwood Boulevard between Plano Parkway and Windhaven Parkway. Two lanes will remain closed between 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Timeline: July-August Cost: $1.1 million Funding source: city of Plano 2 Parker Road asphalt improvements Crews are placing an ultra-thin asphalt overlay on Parker Road between west city limits and Parkwood Boulevard. Two lanes will remain closed between 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Timeline: July-August Cost: $1.1 million Funding source: city of Plano 3 Parker Road corridor intersection improvements Crews are making improvements to the intersections of A Parker Road and Coit Road, and B Parker Road and Alma Drive. The project will include the widening of street pavement, improvements to pedes- trian ramps and traffic signal modifications. The Coit Road intersection will have dou- ble left-turn lanes added on Parker Road, and the Alma Drive intersection will have a right-turn lane added on both roads. Timeline: July 2023-January 2024 Cost: $2.9 million Funding sources: city of Plano, Regional Toll Revenue, Collin County 4 Parker Road pavement and sidewalk repairs Crews are making pavement and sidewalk repairs on multiple sections of Parker
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PLANO SOUTH EDITION • JULY 2023
BUSINESS FEATURE
BY COLBY FARR
Directors Paul Johnson and Mary Soto help oversee the local business.
COLBY FARR COMMUNITY IMPACT
The meals from Utopia Food and Fitness are cooked at a kitchen in Carrollton.
Clients work out twice a week for 20 minutes at Utopia on medical-grade Nautilus machines.
COURTESY UTOPIA FOOD AND FITNESS
COURTESY UTOPIA FOOD AND FITNESS
Utopia Food and Fitness 2108 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 216C, Plano 972-781-1888 www.utopia .com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun. closed body weight minus body fat weight • Basal metabolic rate: the minimum number of calories needed to sustain life at a resting state WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF The InBody 270 measures several indicators to build a body composition analysis. Utopia Food and Fitness sta looks at the following measurements after a scan: • Lean body mass: the measure of total
Utopia Food and Fitness Fitness franchise o ers evidence-based diet plans and workout routines F or each client at Utopia Food and Fitness, the journey to healthy fat loss starts with a has reached 12 reps on one machine, the weight will get bumped higher.
Utopia’s Plano location opened in 2013 and moved to its current location at 2108 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 216C, in 2018. It’s one of three locations open in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. At Utopia, clients can pay $149 per month, which gets them two supervised training sessions a week and $40 food credit. Utopia’s most common plan costs $119 a month and does not cost the food credits. Workouts are 20 minutes long, and the gym is open for much of the day to provide exibility for its clients, Johnson said. During workouts, clients aim to reach eight to 12 repetitions on one machine before achieving muscle failure, Johnson said. Once a client
Utopia sta members start their clients out on a six-week program as a kind of onboarding, Johnson said. During the program, clients eat food cooked at Utopia’s kitchen in Carrollton and work out on a variety of machines at the studio in Plano. While the studio hosts a wide age range of clients, Johnson said Evidence-based plans and a sense of community set Utopia apart from other gyms and tness programs, Johnson said. “We’re not a weight loss busi- ness,” he said. “We’re a body fat loss business.” its typical patrons are usually people between ages 40-70.
machine called the InBody 270. “We start with the question, ‘What are you made of?’” corporate studios Director Paul Johnson said. The machine, which sits in Johnson’s o ce at Utopia’s Plano location, can provide a body composition analysis including the basal metabolic rate and the skeletal muscle index. From there, clients will work with studio Director Mary Soto to build a tness and nutrition plan to help them reach their goals. “You’re using a proven plan,” Johnson said. “It’s all evidence based.”
PLANO PKWY.
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DINING FEATURE Covino’s Pasta & Pizza Locally owned Italian eatery has been serving Plano for over 3 decades A s a child growing up in New York, Joe Covino frequently visited his dad’s restaurant.
BY KAREN CHANEY
1
Parmesan for $2.50 and spaghetti with meatballs for $1.10. Even though his prices are di erent, he included many family recipes his dad served in his restaurant, some of which were passed down from his grandparents, who emigrated from Italy. Popular menu items are smoked chicken ravioli, chicken aristocrat, lasagna, chicken Parmesan, pizza, and spaghetti and meatballs. When ordering one of his favorite dishes, Covino goes to the mix-and- match menu section. He orders Arrabiata Spicy sauce, penne pasta and hot sausage. He said he had
He pictured himself working with his dad, Nick Covino, when he got older, but the elder Covino had di erent ideas for his son’s future. “He really didn’t want me to be in this business; he knows how crazy it is,” Covino said. “He always said, ‘Go to college; get your degree, then we’ll talk about it.’” Eventually, his dad got out of the restaurant business, and Covino earned a degree, took a job that required him to travel around the country and eventually ended up in Plano. At one point, he was
MENU HIGHLIGHTS Joe Covino picked the eatery's most popular dishes.
2
3
1 Chicken aristocrat ($21.95): Layer of chicken, eggplant and provolone cheese covered in made-to-order tomato cream sauce 2 Antipasta ($13.95): provolone cheese, salami, pepperoni, onion, green and red peppers, and green and black olives on a bed of lettuce with oil and vinegar 3 Abruzzi bread ($13.95) : spinach, provolone, pepperoni, and sausage rolled and baked inside dough and served with homemade marinara
“I LEARNED A LOT OF WAYS TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE LIKE MY DAD DID; HE WAS REALLY GOOD AT IT.” JOE COVINO, OWNER
his share of naysay- ers when he chose this location, but he had faith that he would prove the doubters wrong. “I always said if I do the right thing
unemployed and decided to make his childhood dream a reality. Although he wouldn’t be work- ing with his dad,
Discover the world’s most advanced technology for fat loss up to 40 BMI • Free Consult • Financing Available • Pain-Free Treatments Covino laughingly said customers enjoy asking whether they can order o his father’s 1950s menu, which he has displayed amid framed family photos. This menu features chicken he was able to follow in his footsteps. When he opened Covino’s Pasta & Pizza in 1990 in Plano, he tapped into the knowledge he gained during his childhood. “Being around my dad, by osmosis, I learned a lot of ways to deal with people like he did; he was really good at it,” Covino said.
for my customers, they’ll go out and say, ‘Hey, I found this neat little Italian restaurant; it’s in the corner of a shopping center; you wouldn’t know it was there if I didn’t tell you,’” he said. “Almost word for word people have done that over all these years.” Though this was not the career path Covino’s dad wanted him to follow, he was proud of his son’s achievement. “The rst time he came in, he sat in the back of the room, and you could see him beaming,” Covino said. “We were busy; he loved that.”
Plano resident Joe Covino opened Covino’s Pasta & Pizza in 1990.
PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Covino’s Pasta & Pizza 3265 Independence Parkway, Plano 972-519-0345 www.covinos.com Hours: Mon. – Sat. 5 p.m. -9 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
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PLANO SOUTH EDITION • JULY 2023
CITY & COUNTY
News from Collin College, Plano & Plano ISD
Plano ISD projects $24 million budget deficit for 2023-24 BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY “As long as our [enrollment] is
Parks and recreation holding art contest
Budget breakdown The largest chunk of PISD’s projected budget for next school year will go toward instruction. 65% Instruction 10% Maintenance and operations 7% Student
BY CONNOR PITTMAN
PLANO Artists of all ages and skill levels are being asked to enter a city-hosted art competition with submissions due on July 30. The details: The competition will include three age categories: 5-12, 13-18 and 19 and older. Artists can use pencil, chalk, paint, digital, recycled items, textiles or other mediums. The theme for submissions is “Where Community Grows,” asking artists to showcase what Plano’s parks and recreation means to them. What else?: One grand prize winner will have art printed in the 2024 Summer Catalog put out by the Plano Parks and Recreation Department. More information: Learn how to enter the competition on the city’s website.
PLANO ISD The district adopted its budget for next school year, which includes a projected $24 million deficit. The PISD board of trustees voted unanimously to adopt the budget at its June 20 meeting. The big picture: The district expects to operate on a shortfall of $24 mil- lion, largely due to a rising recapture payment. Revenues are expected to be $754.1 million, while expenses are set at $777.2 million, including the $252.9 million recapture payment. Recapture redistributes property tax dollars from property-wealthy districts to those the state deems property poor. Deputy Superinten- dent Johnny Hill said during the meeting that he expects the recap- ture payment to continue rising.
slowly going down, and our prop- erty values are going up, recapture is going to go up every year,” Hill said. This year’s projected deficit is down from the $38.4 million that was approved ahead of the 2022-23 school year. PISD ended the 2022-23 school year with around a $13.5 million deficit, Hill said. Zooming in: Among other increas- ing costs for the district is a 3% raise for teacher starting salaries the board approved in May along with several other staff pay increases. Hill added inflation is also a factor with costs expected to rise most in the following categories: • Utilities • Insurance (property, vehicle and cyber) • Custodial
support services 6% Instructional support 4% Transportation 3% Co-extracurricular activities
2% Nonstudent support service
2% Administration 1% Other charges SOURCE: PLANO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Various technology contracts • Contracted security • Transportation fuel Staff is also projecting revenue will total $28.1 million in the food and nutritional services fund and $165.1 million in the debt service fund.
Learn more: The budget can be found on PISD’s website.
Plano City Council will meet at 7 p.m. July 24, July 26 and Aug. 14. Meetings are held at 1520 K Ave., Plano, and can be streamed online. 972-941-7000. www.plano.gov Plano ISD board of trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and 22 at the PISD Administration Center, 2700 W. 15th St., Plano. 469-752-8100. www.pisd.edu MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS PLANO ISD Registration is now open for a back-to-school fair hosted by the district and the city. The event will provide school supplies and additional resources to families in need ahead of the upcoming school year, according to a news release. The event is scheduled for July 26 from 4-7 p.m. at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. COLLIN COLLEGE A new baccalaureate degree will be offered at Collin College for the upcoming fall semester, according to a news release from the school. The new degree will be a Bachelor of Applied Science in clinical operations management, and the program is accepting students for the coming semester. The program requires students hold an associate degree.
New mixed-use project still under consideration
Council chambers to undergo renovation
BY COLBY FARR
PLANO Renovations to the Sen. Florence Shapiro Council Chamber are slated to start in spring 2024. The renovations will improve accessibility; update audio, video and acoustical components; and enhance security, according to a council agenda memo. The $6 million project will be partially funded by a bond package passed by voters in 2021.
BY CONNOR PITTMAN
PLANO A proposedmixed-use development on 19.1 acres near Plano Parkway and Executive Drive was sent back to the Plano Planning and Zoning Commission during Plano City Council’s June 26 meeting. The project will be presented to the commission again at a future meeting. The proposed development on the corner of Executive Drive and East Plano Parkway would take place across two phases with the construction of 33 townhomes, 260 multifamily units, 1.4 acres of green space and temporary berms to mitigate noise. In the second phase, another 241 multifamily units and 70,000 square feet of commercial space would be constructed.
In a nutshell: The proposed devel- opment by Bay West Development was denied by the planning and zoning commission during its May 1 meeting, citing conflicts with the city’s comprehensive plan. Plano Director of Planning Christina Day also cited concerns with increased noise in certain areas of the property and too much residential development. Prior to voting, several council members expressed their support for the proposed redevelopment. The land has been vacant since Fry’s Electronics closed in 2021. The proposed development would be at a former Fry’s Electronics. (COLBY FARR/COMMUNITY IMPACT)
Plano’s City Council Chambers are slated for renovation next year. (RENDERING COURTESY CITY OF PLANO)
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
2023
HOME EDITION
REAL ESTATE DATA
COMPILED BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & COLBY FARR
2022-23 Plano real estate market at a glance The number of homes sold in Plano has gone down in all of the city’s ZIP codes. The lower number of sales has also coincided with the amount of time homes are spending on the market lowering in every zip code. Median sale prices have also risen in all ZIP codes except for 75024.
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75023 75024 75025 75074
75075 75093
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SOURCE: COLLIN COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Number of homes sold
National mortgage rate data After staying relatively at the rst two years of the pandemic, mortgage rates have sharply risen since early 2022, peaking Nov. 10 of last year before seeing some decline over the last six months. 30-year xed-rate mortgage 15-year xed-rate mortgage
June 2021-May 2022
June 2022-May 2023
8%
6.48%
6%
3.72%
3.22%
2.65%
4%
5.73%
0 2%
3.16%
2.16%
2.43%
January 2020
January 2021
January 2022
January 2023
75023
75024
75025
75074
75075
75093
Median home sales price
Average days on market
June 2021-May 2022
June 2022-May 2023
June 2021-May 2022
June 2022-May 2023
75023
75024
$401,760
$612,500
+8.27%
-10.61%
$435,000
$677,500
75025
75074
$518,000
$371,000
+10.04%
+7.82%
$570,000
$400,000
75075
75093
$450,000
$658,000
+2.22%
+7.52%
$460,000
$707,500
75023
75024
75025
75074
75075
75093
LoneStarHomes.com
17
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
GUIDE
Local businesses o er home improvement tips
2023 HOME EDITION
COMPILED BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY AND KAITLYNN HUTCHINS HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
ASK A POOL EXPERT
Elizabeth Donald, who owns Superior Pools in Lewisville with her brother, Scott, has some tips for pool owners. The company services several areas across Dallas-Fort Worth.
There’s a bunch of regulations around ducks, so call a city o cial; try and get those out of the water as quick as possible. WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE LOOKING TO INSTALL A POOL? Don’t sacri ce the quality for more thrills, more waterfalls and water features. There’s a lot of companies out there that will build you a cheap pool, and it’ll work for a year or two, and then everything starts breaking pretty quickly. So make sure you do your research in nding a reputable pool company that has a track record of building quality pools that last for a long time. That’s one of the reasons we do well here is because there’s a lot of pool builders out there that build really bad pools, and then we have to go back and x them. Just nd a good company that has a good reputation and has positive reviews and has a backlog of pools that they’ve successfully built that are still running. WHAT FEATURES REPAIRS UPGRADES ARE POPULAR REQUESTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS? I’d say right now, the industry is de nitely moving to automated controls so you can control it from your phone. One of our big suppliers we use is Pentair, and they’ve got real fancy equipment. You can do everything from your phone. With the switch of a button on your phone, you can turn your heater on while you’re at dinner and have the hot tub heated by the time you get home. There are some robot cleaners coming out where you don’t have to have a special pump for it; it just kind of gets in the water and does it sort of like a Roomba for your pool. Something we’re seeing more is the ability to cool your pool. They’re called heat pumps. It’s like an air conditioning unit for your pool.
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR POOL OWNERS TO KEEP THEIR POOLS AND THEIR FILTERS CLEAN? For lters, if you have a cartridge, do lter service every six months or so. If you have a lot of dog swimming, we recommend a little bit sooner than that. For the water chemistry [you should be] keeping debris out, keeping all the chemicals balanced, chlorine in the water if you have a standard or a salt pool, keeping the salt levels up, just keeping everything within range, checking all the chemicals. A lot of people will run into issues with phosphates. They have nagging algae they can’t get rid of, they put all the chlorine in, and it won’t go away. So phosphates are a big thing that we have been seeing a lot more, de nitely in the summertime and fall. Just coming out of the spring, foliage and a bunch of that debris is just like food for algae. So treat it for phosphates, and typically that takes care of it. WHAT IS ONE THING POOL OWNERS SHOULD NEVER DO WHEN IT COMES TO POOL MAINTENANCE? Probably just willy-nilly throw chemicals in, not regularly do a full checkup on the chemistry because you can run into [issues] if you don’t have enough calcium in the water, so we add calcium on a monthly basis into our pools. If you don’t have any calcium in the water, it’s pulling it from your plaster and degrading that a lot quicker. Letting ducks stay in the pool is a big one. We have one customer that owns ducks and has them in a separate pool, but they started getting into their regular pool. And they think it’s so cute and fun, but they poop all over the place, and it’s really yucky. You’re not allowed to touch the ducks, so you have to set a oat out and let them crawl out on their own.
ASK A GARDENER
Erin Ho er, Plano lead environmental education coordinator, has some tips for new gardeners and those looking to hone their green thumb even further.
irrigation. Overwatering plants and depriving their roots of much-needed oxygen is a rookie mistake. A moisture meter is an a ordable $10 investment in a tool that measures what is actually happening in the soil at the root level. Checking before you water will not only keep your plants healthier but will save on your water bill. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS A SEASONED GARDENER CAN TAKE THEIR SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL? Volunteer at a public garden. Schools and smaller historical museums often have teaching gardens that need maintenance year-round. Working through the seasons with plants that are new to the gardener helps to build knowledge and skills. Or join a community garden that raises and donates produce to local food pantries. There is a wealth of gardening know-how among the membership, and veteran gardeners are always generous in sharing their experience—along with their extra veggies. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST RESOURCES IN THE AREA? Every Texas gardener should know about and consult Texas A&M’s Aggie Horticulture website [http://aggie- horticulture.tamu.edu]. It addresses just about every aspect of gardening, providing e ective answers from their science-based research. Texans should also get to know their county’s Master Gardener Association.
WHY SHOULD YOU START A GARDEN? Spending time outdoors is a proven stress- reliever, improves mental health and provides exercise to strengthen the body. So why not use that time to dig in the dirt and grow some owers for our homes or vegetables and herbs for our dinner table? Best of all, it gives us the opportunity to restore a bit of the ecological habitat that our urban and suburban development has taken away. When we garden, we’re not just making our community beautiful; we’re making it better. WHAT CAN ANYONE DO TO MAKE THEIR GARDEN LOOK BETTER? Regular maintenance is key to a tidy and attractive garden. Pulling weeds, appropriate watering, mulching to protect the soil and conserve water, and pruning when needed are all sustainable practices that promote good plant health and create an appealing landscape. WHAT ARE THE MOST WIDESPREAD MISTAKES THAT NEW GARDENERS MAKE? Poor plant selection and inappropriate watering are common errors that beginning gardeners make. It’s essential to know how many hours of sunlight are available in an area before selecting what will live there. Native plants are usually a great choice because, once established, they actually like the living conditions and can thrive in our hot summers. They also require minimal maintenance and Erin Ho er Lead environmental education coordinator City of Plano www.plano.gov/537/Garden-Green -in-Plano MAINTAINING YOUR HOME The National Association of Home Builders o ers routine home maintenance tips for homeowners looking to maintain their homes’ value and ensure their
Elizabeth and Scott Donald Owners Superior Pool Service 301 Thomas St., Lewisville 972-221-2253 info@superiorpoolservice.com
MAIN ST.
5TH ST.
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EXTERIOR
INTERIOR
1 Roofs should be inspected by a quali ed roofer every three years, and skylights should be inspected so leaks do not develop. 2 Ensure downspouts and gutters do not get clogged with leaves and other debris. 3 Inspect siding each year to see if it needs repainting, and trim shrubs away so they do not touch the siding. 4 Check for split or cracked caulking on windows and doors annually, and replace the caulk as necessary. 5 Moving parts of garage doors need to be oiled once every three months.
6 Air lters require regular replacement, generally once every three months. 7 Regularly check security alarms and circuit breakers . Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 8 Clean each faucet’s aerator every three to four months. Maintain garbage disposals by running cold water through them. 9 Masonry walls can develop a white powder that can be scrubbed o with water and a sti brush. 10 Hardwood oors without polyurethane need to be waxed with a liquid or paste “spirit” wax. Use emulsion wax on vinyl.
1
safety. Find other useful homeownership tips at v.
2
6
9
7
4
8
10
5
3
SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
19
PLANO SOUTH EDITION • JULY 2023
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