McKinney city staff shared updates on city projects, including the downtown property redevelopment initiative and the proposed deck park, at an Oct. 24 joint meeting of McKinney City Council and the McKinney Economic Development Corp.

Planned and proposed projects

1. State Highway 5 reconstruction: Design work and right-of-way acquisition are underway for this project, which is fully-funded, according to a presentation from Assistant City Manager Kim Flom. The project would widen parts of the roadway in McKinney from Power House Street to Country Club Road. Construction could begin as early as April 2025 and could take place in two segments, Flom said. Part of the road between FM 546 and US 380 could also be taken off the Texas Department of Transportation system to allow for additional pedestrian improvements including the Lower 5 Plaza.

2. The Lower 5 Plaza: The project, previously referred to as a deck park, has been termed the Lower 5 Plaza. City Council members identified an inverted deck park style as their preferred design option for this project in April, which is expected to impact five adjacent properties. The pedestrian connectivity project is estimated to cost between $40 million-$45 million, and the North Central Texas Council of Governments has committed up to $30 million with no local match requirement, Flom said at the October meeting. Another update on this project is expected to be presented to council members at a December meeting, according to the presentation.

3. Downtown Properties Redevelopment: City staff received 15 responses to a request for qualifications issued in June. The project includes redeveloping four city-owned properties downtown, including McKinney City Hall. City staff members evaluated and scored the responses using a scoring rubric included in the request for qualification, and interviewed the top five scoring respondents. The top three respondents will present to City Council, as well as participate in a public meet and greet, on Nov. 28, Flom said. City Council members will decide whether or not to pursue one of the submissions following the presentations and public engagement opportunity.


Also of note

McKinney Director of Engineering Gary Graham also presented an update on transportation projects across the city, noting various road projects planned underway. Some of these projects include:
  • The Ridge Road connection between US 380 and Wilmeth Road, which is expected to be completed fall 2023
  • The Wilmeth Road connection between Lake Forest Drive and Hardin Boulevard, which is expected to complete in early 2024
  • The Collin McKinney Parkway connection between Lake Forest Drive and Hardin Boulevard, which is partially open between Hardin Boulevard and Tina Drive and is expected to be fully complete in 2024
Graham also noted that TxDOT issued a record of decision for the US 380 bypass project in north McKinney and selected the Blue alignment for the project. Construction on the roadway could begin as early as 2027, according to the presentation.

For more information on city projects underway in McKinney, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/3338/projects.