News
BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & CONNOR PITTMAN
City debuts retail revitalization program Plano sta could soon have additional eco- nomic tools aimed at improving retail centers within the city at its disposal. Director of Special Projects Peter Braster presented a draft retail revitalization program policy to Plano City Council during its Jan. 22 meeting. During the meeting, council members were receptive to the addition of the economic incentives. The overview Braster said the goal of the program, which was originally presented in October, was to provide support to struggling retail centers and help complement e orts by property owners and management companies. If adopted, city sta would likely look to provide a city contribution of around 10% of the total reinvestment in the property, he added.
Plano commission OKs mall redevelopment Plans to proceed with the redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, located along West Park Boulevard and the Dallas North Tollway, appear to be moving forward. The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request to rescind several speci c-use permits and approve a concept plan during its Jan. 16 meeting after tabling consideration at the applicant’s request in December. The speci c-use permits likely to be rescinded pertained to the use of private clubs, and car leasing and rental. The overview With the recommendation for approval, Dallas-based developer Centennial plans to demolish up to 530,000 square feet of the existing Shops at Willow Bend while maintaining around 400,000 square feet. The elements that
City pursues lobbyist for hotel funding Plano City Council approved an 18-month contract with BTA Professional Service LLC during its Jan. 8 meeting that would hire a lobbyist to advocate for Plano’s inclusion on a bill that would allow additional public nancing for a quali ed hotel project. The contract is worth $126,300 over its term. What you need to know Director of Policy and Government Relations Andrew Fortune said during the meeting that sta have been working to identify suitable projects for the nancing tool. Fortune said no speci c project has been identi ed for use of the quali ed hotel projects funding. City sta previously briefed council on the potential for use with the Plano Event Center hotel.
There are nine types of grants outlined in the draft policy: Retail revitalization grant options • Location grants • Lease buy-downs • Facade improvement • Demolition • Landscaping • Lighting • Signage • Paving and utilities • Neighborhood pedestrian connections
"It has been an honor to serve the students, coaches and families of Plano ISD... I am excited about what the future holds for this great district."
JEFF SMITH, PROSPER ISD DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO COMMUNITY IMPACT
Plano ISD AD leaving district
The Shops at Willow Bend redevelopment is only waiting on approval from Plano City Council.
According to city documents, a previous revitalization e ort in 2018 that resulted in the development of Green Vine Market utilized a city contribution of $500,000 while the developer spent $4.5 million. Per the documents, the value of the property has doubled over four years. “It’s not to pay for everything, but it’s meant to augment and push them higher,” Braster said. Braster said applicants for the program would go through the normal economic incentive pro- cess that includes a city sta committee review, impact analysis, council brie ng and council approval.
RENDERING COURTESY THE CITY OF PLANO
will remain include Macy’s, Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, restaurants in The District at Willow Bend, parking structures and two retail sites. “[The plan] is to maintain as much of the exist- ing Shops at Willow Bend that we can maintain and deliver it in a way that works for the next 50 years,” Centennial CEO Steve Levin said. According to city documents, proposed rede- velopment includes mid-rise residential, o ce space, a hotel and open space.
Plano ISD Director of Athletics Je Smith has left for the same role at Prosper ISD. In a nutshell Smith served as Plano ISD’s athletic director for four years. Smith was hired from Prosper ISD in February 2020, where he previously served as assistant athletic director.
PLANO 5930 West Park Blvd (972) 250-0500 ALLEN 1839 N Central Expressway (972) 908-3488 5930 West Park Blvd 1839 N Central Expressway EAST PLANO 3404 N Central Expressway (972) 423-6688 COIT ROAD 1453 Coit Rd (972) 867-2821 PLANO NORTH 5420 State Hwy 121 (469) 687-2581
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