The East McKinney Project Outreach and Communications Team spoke to council members at their Dec. 20 work session about the redevelopment projects still in progress and yet to come.
“We're at sort of an interesting time—we've been doing this for two years,” Assistant City Manager Kimberly Flom said.
Projects nearing completion include the TUPPS Brewery relocation and expansion, which was first announced in January 2021 and is expected to be completed in early 2023, according to a presentation at the meeting.
Other redevelopment projects, such as constructing the new McKinney City Hall, which began in October, are anticipated to open in late 2024. The East Louisiana Street public parking lot is also in the final stages of construction, Flom said.
Additional road construction projects east of Hwy. 5, such as Virginia Street and Throckmorton Street, are ongoing but will also soon be wrapping up.
“Construction is always disruptive,” Flom said. “But we're going to do our best to ensure that it is as manageable as possible, and I think the end result will be beneficial for everybody on the parks and recreation side.”
Recently completed projects will also lay the groundwork for the future of McKinney, Flom said. The Silo Mural Project, completed in the fall, should help shape the types of future art and exhibits.
“We're really hoping it sets the stage for what happens in that area,” Flom said.
Besides developments, the team also hopes to grow and strengthen community ties by taking on more community-based projects.
“We have a lot of great pieces in place,” Flom said. “We are on a really great point to evolve the efforts of what EMPOC is.”
Projects such as the EMPOCT’s recent Street Topper Program, which installed “Legacy Neighborhood” markers on six street signs, is an example of how the team works with McKinney residents, Flom said.
“That was really an idea that came out of the neighborhoods themselves,” Flom said. “We're really happy to be able to make that happen.”
As the team moves into 2023 and a growth period, Flom hopes more projects similar to the Street Topper program can be part of the team’s evolution.
“We’re excited to work with both staff and the community on this and we're really looking forward to bringing that information to you in 2023 as we build that plan together,” Flom said.
