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The Rail District construction is nearing completion in Frisco.
The Fourth Street Plaza is the last major construction milestone for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of August, Assistant Director of Engineering Matt DuBois said during an update at council’s July 7 meeting.
The details
The Fourth Street Plaza is part of the more than $80 million Downtown Rail District Redevelopment project. The project included:
The roadwork and parking garage have been completed. Some main features include the removal of on-street parking along Main Street and the construction of wider sidewalks.
The parking garage “looks fabulous,” council member Brittany Colberg said during the meeting.
For the Fourth Street Plaza, specialty lights still need to be installed and shade structures are starting to take shape, DuBois said.
“This has not been the most easy project,” he said.
Zooming out
To help local businesses thrive during construction, the city launched a gift card program several times throughout the duration of the project. The most recent BOGO card program has already sold out of matching bonus gift cards, which equates to $500,000 in funds from the Frisco Community Development Corp., Special Projects Director Ken Schmidt said.
This means people purchased $500,000 worth of gift cards and received matching amounts. The bonus gift cards are valid through Sept. 29, and purchased gift cards do not expire. Of the gift cards, $360,000, or 36%, has been used.
The cards can be used at more than 40 participating businesses in the Rail District.
Along with the business cards, the Community Development Corp. is also offering grants to local businesses. The grants funded eligible renovations and expansions.
It has given five $300,000 grants for two business expansions and three new businesses, Schmidt said. Some of those projects include the expansion of Summer Moon, renovations of Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen and the renovations of three new businesses:
Summer Moon will also be building a back patio facing the Fourth Street Plaza with some of the grant money, Schmidt said.
CDC officials are working on refining the grant program requirements for the fiscal year 2026-27 program launch in October, he said.
Diving in deeper
The city launched a new public transportation option for the Rail District.
The vehicles are called the Rail District Boxcar, and the service is free, according to a city news release. The service is available within the rail district and has 13 stops stretching from World Cup Way to North County Road between Main and Elm streets.
The two cars that can seat up to six operate 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
The pilot program will run for 12 months, with an option to extend the service.
