1. Youth sports soar: McKinney officials, business owners adapt to meet rising demand for local youth sports
McKinney has seen an increase in nearly every youth sports program that uses athletic fields at city parks. City officials and owners of private facilities such as Areté Athletics are working to match growth of youth sports through renovation and expansion projects.
2. McKinney’s Hall Library to see new planetarium, other upgrades in “reimagining” project
Roy and Helen Hall Memorial Library closed in June for a $20 million renovation project that’s expected to add a planetarium, new gathering spaces and other upgrades by 2026. An updated layout is expected to improve access to materials at the library, and create youth-and-teen-specific spaces.
3. McKinney's next mayor: Residents to decide between 4 candidates in May election
Four candidates filed to run in the electoral race for McKinney mayor. The election eventually went to a runoff which Mayor Bill Cox won in June. He was sworn into office alongside council member Ernest Lynch in June.
4. McKinney officials plan $500M in water infrastructure projects as regional officials prepare for growing water needs
With McKinney’s population on the rise, city officials are pouring resources into the community’s water infrastructure. The city’s Capital Improvements Program has about $500 million in projects planned for fiscal years 2025-29. Projects include new water lines and utility relocation work, as well as replacement of aging infrastructure and improvements to existing facilities across the city.
5. Doors open at West Grove: Major components of mixed-use project complete in McKinney
The 52-acre West Grove development opened its first and second phases to the public this year. The development is expected to deliver a mix of retail and restaurant space alongside luxury apartments developed by Milhaus.
6. Reaching new heights: McKinney’s Baylor Scott & White to start vertical expansion in 2025
Baylor Scott & White Health’s medical center in McKinney is set to start a vertical expansion that’s expected to add up to 84,000 square feet once it’s complete. Medical center officials confirmed plans are underway to add a seventh and eighth floor to the hospital that opened in 2012. Since that time, McKinney’s population has increased nearly 64%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
7. Building McKinney's next stage: Officials break ground on $300M Sunset Amphitheater project
McKinney could soon play host to more than 70 music acts a year after development on a 20,000-seat amphitheater is expected to finish in 2026. City and project officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Sunset Amphitheater project in June. The $300 million project will support more than 1,300 jobs and is expected to generate more than $3 billion within the first decade of its opening, officials said.
8. Cleared for takeoff: Work begins on 46,000-square-foot commercial terminal at McKinney National Airport
Work is underway to open a commercial passenger terminal at McKinney National Airport. City officials broke ground in July on the project that’s expected to add a terminal with four gates, onsite car rental facilities and a 980-space public parking lot. Avelo Airlines signed on as the airport’s first airline partner in December.
9. Supporting students: Special education growth sparks budget increases, recruitment efforts in McKinney ISD
With nearly 1 in 5 McKinney ISD students now receiving special education services, district officials are focusing on ways to recruit and retain special education teachers. McKinney ISD has seen a 65.8% increase in its special education student population in the last decade, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.
10. Targeted training: Collin College, workforce leaders hone in on employee skills initiatives in McKinney
New programming at Collin College specifically targets workforce development, including specialized training and courses aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals already in the workforce. Through state grant funding, the college has been able to offer professional development for several area industries including manufacturing, finance and healthcare.
11. Dollars pouring in: McKinney sees sales tax boost from package liquor stores
Nov. 8 marked the third anniversary since McKinney residents voted to allow package liquor stores to open within city limits. Before the proposition, stores were only allowed to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption. McKinney’s first liquor license was issued in January 2023, and since then at least 25 licenses have been issued for package liquor stores, and sales have generated more than $817,000 in sales tax revenue.
