Several businesses have already closed or relocated their downtown storefronts ahead of construction on the Fourth Street plaza, which broke ground June 7. Portions of Main Street will be closed during construction, which is set to finish in 2026. Some business owners are concerned while others look forward to potential growth.
"We think it’s going to be really positive for the historic downtown area,” Summer Moon owner Greg Richardson said. “We will have some impact while construction is going on. In the short term, we’re expecting some disruptions, but long-term we feel like it’s going to be really good.”
The big picture
David and Mandy Wible, owners of Rail District business Three Empires Brewing, said they did not have full knowledge of the project when they opened last October.
“We had general knowledge as residents that they would be doing something [in The Rail District],” David Wible said.
The couple is cautiously optimistic, and they look forward to the completed project, they said. They said they are worried about whether their business can “weather the storm.”
The husband and wife said their primary concern is their patrons will go elsewhere because of the construction.
Multiple Rail District businesses have closed recently, such as Rockin’ Taco Bar, Sweets on a Stick and Artistic Organics. None have cited the upcoming construction as a reason. Rockin’ Taco Bar owner Corley Randolf said the restaurant closed because of rising costs and staffing challenges. Sweets on a Stick owner Nicki Cooley said she closed to spend time with her family, and the Artistic Organics owners Kellie and Rick Kauten closed to prepare for retirement.
Selena Quinlan-Shults, who owns Yoga on Main and is relocating from The Rail District, said she downsized her space during the pandemic; however, the space she moved into was too small. She said she wanted to move into a “nicer area” of Frisco compared to downtown.
During a June 25 Frisco City Council work session, Mayor Jeff Cheney said he is sympathetic to those affected by the downtown construction. Cheney also compared downtown redevelopment to other significant projects, such as the Legacy Drive widening roadwork.
“It’s part of doing business in a high-growth city,” Cheney said.
City officials will send out regular construction updates during the two-year project, said Matthew DuBois, Frisco’s assistant director of engineering, at the groundbreaking.
DuBois is the main point of contact for The Rail District construction and said there will be office hours for anyone to learn more as well as an interactive geographic information system map.
“I encourage [residents] to use [the engineering department’s] website,” DuBois said. “We’ll have information about available parking during construction, about lane closures and things that are going to be happening as we move through the three different construction projects.”
Zooming out
“The key is getting the information out to everyone that [construction] is not going to be as bad as you think," said Danny Mehta, the Game Show Experience co-owner.
“If they’re really interested in investing in The Rail District, then invest in The Rail District [and] the people who are here running it now," said David Wible, Three Empires Company co-owner.
“The most important thing right now is that we can all support The Rail District by intentionally coming here," said Christal Howard, Frisco Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Diving in deeper
The Frisco Economic Development Corporation launched a three-year Rail District incentive pilot program in May. The program will reimburse downtown Type A businesses up to 50% for the costs of approved upgrades.
Type A businesses are commercial businesses with a majority of their products or services marketed beyond Frisco. This includes architectural firms and technology startups, FEDC Vice President Gloria Salinas said.
Officials chose to focus on those businesses because of the money they bring Frisco, she said.
“The employees of those companies would visit the coffee shops, and the restaurants and the retail, and they would create that foot traffic that those companies need,” Salinas said.
City officials discussed adding Type B businesses, which includes food and beverage, to the program during a July 2 council work session. No decision has been made as of July 3.
The FEDC also created a new liaison position for The Rail District, who will coordinate between business owners and the FEDC, Salinas said.
Here is a quick look at the incentive program:
- Funds: $4.5 million through FEDC
- What they can be reimbursed for: sprinkler or electrical system upgrades; roofing, flooring or HVAC system replacements; making facade improvements to awnings, canopies or signage
- Who qualifies: Type A qualified business in The Rail District
What comes next?
The FEDC’s incentive program could also draw in new Type A businesses to The Rail District and further support downtown Frisco by ensuring its workforce is not leaving every day, Salinas said.
Construction on Main Street, which will include lane closures, began July 8. City officials will post updated parking and traffic information on the city’s website to help people navigate the changes, DuBois said.
“Downtown’s open for business, even though we’re going to be doing a lot of construction the next year and a half,” DuBois said. “I’d encourage people to still visit their favorite places.”
