Frisco officials to consider sign exemptions for downtown businesses during construction

Frisco businesses in The Rail District can ask for exemptions to use specific signs during downtown construction.

The gist

Frisco City Council members on Sept. 3 gave planning department staff the go-ahead to allow exceptions to a city ordinance restricting various signs for businesses affected by construction in The Rail District.

The city’s sign ordinance prohibits businesses from using moving advertising, such as inflatable dancers or electronic screens. Other signs, such as banners, stationary balloons, skylights or large flags, are either prohibited or allowed for a certain time frame.

Redeveloping The Rail District, a nearly $70 million city project intended to revitalize the downtown area, has been underway since June 2023 but started on Main Street in July 2024. The work on Main Street is expected to last two years and includes closing lanes while contractors remove on-street parking and widen the road to make room for pedestrians.

The city gave out sign exemptions to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Phillip Climer, assistant director of Frisco’s building inspections division.

What they’re saying

Allowing sign exceptions again could now help draw in customers to the businesses affected by the downtown construction, such as Three Empires Brewing, a Main Street brewery whose owners attended the Sept. 3 meeting.

Three Empires Brewing, which will celebrate its first anniversary in late September, has been suffering financially since losing foot traffic to the downtown construction, Three Empires Brewing co-owner Mandy Wible said.

“Unfortunately, this could be our only anniversary at our brewery if we continue to see revenue decline because of the Main Street construction project,” she said.

Mandy said she had placed a large flag outside to advertise but received a notice from the city in mid-August. She was directed to speak with the planning department and may be able to replace the flag under the new exemptions to continue advertising.

“[The planning department] can do some temporary changes to allow businesses like [Three Empires Brewing] to accommodate the construction,” Mayor Jeff Cheney said.

Next steps

More information on the city’s sign ordinance can be found here.