The big picture
McKinney City Council members approved an amendment to the city’s economic development agreement with the company during a Jan. 6 meeting. The amendment includes an updated construction timeline for the Sunset Amphitheater project and other modifications to the original agreement that was approved in 2024.
The $300 million project is already under construction after officials broke ground in June. The amphitheater was expected to debut in time for the 2026 touring season; however, the updated schedule now expects final completion in September 2027. A date for the venue’s first concert has not been determined yet, according to the document.
Venu anticipates the project will be open for the 2027 touring season, according to a city document.
Council members voted on the amendment separately from the rest of the consent agenda. Council member Rick Franklin made a motion to approve the amendment while granting the city manager and city attorney to make “non-substantive, minor changes” before the amendment is executed. The motion was approved unanimously.
More details
The new schedule includes target completion dates for multiple components of the amphitheater, including construction of the main stage and parking garage. The amendment also included agreement modifications related to:
- Maintenance of signage
- Process for assignment of rights to third parties, including the amphitheater operator
- Process for initiating eminent domain proceedings, if needed
One more thing
In the same meeting, council members authorized the city manager to execute an advanced funding agreement with TxDOT in the amount of $2 million for capacity improvements on adjacent roads. The project will be funded by regional toll revenues from the Regional Transportation Council, according to a city document.
Capacity improvements will include additional turn lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks along multiple roads in the area.
- US 75 frontage road
- Gateway Boulevard
- Marketplace Drive
- Medical Center Drive
