What happened
Plano City Council members approved Aug. 11 a proposed zoning request tied to a new redevelopment plan for the former Fry’s Electronics building.
WareSpace, a company offering shared workspace solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses, would manage the office warehouse.
The zoning change created a “Commercial Flex Warehouse” designation, removing the previous mixed-use designation, to fit WareSpace’s plan as it did not align with any of Plano’s other zoning designations, according to city documents.
The site has remained vacant after Fry’s Electronics closed nationwide in 2021, according to city documents.
Zooming in
Jason Thorburg, WareSpace vice president of construction, said the Plano facility anticipates to house approximately 120-to-160 small businesses.
The facility will include small workspace units, shared common amenities, a loading zone and eight truck docks, according to city documents.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Julie Holmer said staff should look at introducing the new zoning designation in other areas around the city with similar vacant properties that could be repurposed.
“That space has been empty for way too long, and I think [this] could actually revitalize the area and activate the area,” Holmer said.
Some context
Plano Planning and Zoning commissioners previously approved July 21 a preliminary site plan, with conditions that the applicant revised details on the east and west sides of the facility.
Previous plans for a mixed-use redevelopment were approved by Plano City Council in August 2023 but did not move forward, which led to the new proposed redevelopment plan by WareSpace, according to city documents.
One more thing
WareSpace will be required to create a monthly report detailing what tenants they are housing and their businesses’ uses to ensure they are staying compliant with building codes and usages.
