McKinney | March 2025

Government

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Walmart drone delivery project gets mixed opinions A project to bring drone delivery service to a Walmart in East McKinney received mixed feedback from city leaders. 75

Contract approved for terminal expansion Swinerton, a construction company, will serve as the construction manager at risk for the pre-construction phase of the commer- cial service expansion project at McKinney National Airport. The project will bring a 45,000-square-foot commercial passenger service terminal to the east side of the airport by late 2026. The details The construction manager at risk will conduct pre-construction services related to the design and construction of the project, city documents state. The contract cost totals just over $1.95 million, city documents state, and was approved in a 6-1 vote by McKinney City Council members at a Feb. 18 meeting. Council member Patrick Cloutier voted against the item.

McKinney City Council members voted 3-2 to approve the item at a March 5 meeting. Despite earning a majority approval from council mem- bers present, approval would have required four affirmative votes, representing a majority of the seven-person council. The gist A zoning change was requested to allow drone delivery as an accessory usage at Walmart located at 2041 Redbud Blvd. The proposal features a fenced-off pad with nine drone charging stations and two loading docks located on the east side of the existing store, according to city documents. The proposal would have enabled Zipline Drone Delivery and Logistics to offer the delivery service in McKinney. Officials from Zipline and Walmart are looking to move the project forward through

BRAY CENTRAL DR.

Proposed drone pads

Walmart

Voted in favor of approval: Mayor Pro Tem Geré Feltus, Patrick Cloutier, Justin Beller Voted against approval: Charlie Philips, Rick Franklin Absent from the meeting: Mayor George Fuller, Michael Jones

SOURCE: CITY OF MCKINNEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

continued consideration by city officials. “We look forward to continued discussions with the city and to bringing this innovative service to our customers in McKinney,” said Ivan Jaime, director of government and public affairs for Walmart, in an emailed statement.

MCKINNEY EDITION