Introducing Guest Blogger David Quisenberry

Well, the best laid plans of mice and men …

There has been so much going on on the square recently.  The town homes on South Tennessee Street are completed and for sale (one is for lease). They painted each one a different color and they look so pretty as I drive past them on my way home each night.

They are building more town homes on North Tennessee Street across from Diggin’ It.  The bones are awfully pretty.  They are supposed to be on the high end, so I can only imagine.  Behind them, they are working on a big building over on Chestnut Street so I finally wrote to the city and they said that it is going to be a Pentecostal church. Google seems a little confused about exactly where Chestnut Street is, so I’m not really holding my breath.

Order 66 Toys has moved over by Collin Feed & Seed and a new first aid place is in their old location.  Coffee Squared has added a bakery, “The Sweet Spot”, and The Sidestreet Cafe is looking almost like it can open any time.  I’ve wanted to get by to get pictures but  current projects just seem to keep getting in the way.

I’m pleased, then, to introduce another guest blogger who is going to be stepping in and offering a new perspective on the square.  David Quisenberry, owner of Images That Speak, offices over in the Historic Flour Mill and has agreed to step in while I work on another project. I understand that he already has some great ideas in the works and I am looking forward to seeing downtown McKinney through his eyes for awhile. (And, hopefully, his lens.  David is an outstanding professional photographer.)

In the meantime, please be sure to follow the McKinney Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Facebook page for cool trivia, contests, and reports of all kinds of events going on downtown and throughout McKinney. This is National Tourism Week and they are celebrating this week especially with photos from around McKinney and quizzes about where they are.  Do you know where the pirate ship is?  The bull sculpture?

Until next time,

Happy Shopping!

Craig Ranch in McKinney, TX Will Host 12th Annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life

On April 26, Craig Ranch will host the 12th Annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of McKinney. This event has raised thousands of dollars in the past and is expected to raise more than 250,000 dollars this year.

In addition to the Relay event, it is a tradition to “Light Up The Night” by using luminaria bags to light up the community and honor those who lost their battle with cancer as well as those still grappling with the disease.

If you have attended Relay For Life of McKinney in the past, you know that the luminaria bags line the track that participants walk throughout the night, providing light and inspiration. This year, “Light Up The Night” will extend even further into the Craig Ranch community, starting at the Ballfields of Craig Ranch into the surrounding neighborhood. The luminaria will be placed on Craig Ranch residents’ front curbs the night of Relay For Life of McKinney on April 26. These glowing messages of hope, often decorated with pictures and drawings, expand community awareness for Relay For Life and help raise additional money for cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services.

Take a look at last year’s Relay For Life Luminaria Ceremony:

The event starts at 7 pm on Friday, April 26th, and will continue until 7 am on Saturday, April 27th. During the event, there will be a survivors lap and a caregivers lap as well as the luminaria ceremony. The full Relay For Life schedule can be found online. To register or donate to the event, visit the Relay For Life of McKinney website here. If you would like to purchase a customized luminaria, you may do so here.

If you’ve been affected by cancer in any way, being a part of this event empowers you to make a difference and fight back. Come out to Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas for a moving opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those we have lost to this disease, and raise funds and awareness to help end cancer forever.

Proposals for Downtown Redevelopment to be Discussed Monday Night

The city recently sent out the following email to announce a meeting Monday night to hear the redevelopment proposals for downtown.  Should be interesting!

Greetings to all Stakeholders of McKinney’s Town Center Study Initiative,

Since the adoption in 2008 of the Town Center Study Initiative Phase 1 Report and associated illustrative vision (together known as the “Town Center Master Plan”), the City of McKinney has been evaluating and implementing a comprehensive strategy of implementation tools (e.g. development policies, development ordinances, grants, public infrastructure investments, catalyst projects, etc.) in order to bring the vision to life and truly allow revitalization and economic redevelopment of the historic Town Center to be achieved and sustained over the long-term.

In the summer of 2012, as a proactive step to increase momentum for continued revitalization in the Town Center, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking master development proposals from qualified private developers for the redevelopment of 10 underutilized City-owned downtown properties. Redevelopment of any combination of these properties is expected to include new residential uses and/or new commercial uses (in single use and/or mixed use buildings) within a pedestrian-friendly design that is consistent with the City’s adopted Town Center Master Plan. In November 2012, the City received 4 proposals and is currently in the process of evaluating them in order to determine which proposal offers the best overall value for the City.

On Monday, April 8, 2013 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at McKinney City Hall, the City of McKinney will be hosting an Informational Open House during which the four private developers will discuss with the City Council their redevelopment proposals for City-owned properties within the downtown area. All stakeholders (e.g. residents, business owners, property owners, etc.) are encouraged to attend this Open House and share feedback regarding the four redevelopment proposals via comment cards that will be provided at this event.

For questions or more information, please contact Kevin Spath, Assistant Director, City of McKinney Planning Department, at email: kspath@mckinneytexas.org or phone: (972) 547-7432.