Historic McKinney Mixing Old With New
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MCKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) – The City of McKinney is making history with its first major mixed use development project.
The plans have the city and a developer excited, but some say the project's location will also disturb history.
The development project is slated to be constructed on the former Collin County Courthouse site near McDonald and Davis streets.
"In between the square and historic houses it's going to be a four-story monster and I just don't think it really fits right here," says Joe Grubbs.
This development is almost certain to bring more people to live and work in downtown McKinney.
"I'm down here two or three times a week. I love the square. I love the antiquity of the buildings I appreciate the preservation efforts," says Linda Douglas.
The brick lined sidewalks and locally owned businesses, McKinney's historic downtown square provides a charming place for residents to dine and shop.
"I'm not too crazy about the idea. I'm worried about my property values," says McKinney resident Joe Grubbs. The Grubbs family lives in a restored home off the square right next to the site of the project.
McKinney city officials insist the project's design will blend with the historic architecture around it and bring in more residents and business to the area.
"We are reaching out to markets of people that might be working for Toyota that want that urban lifestyle," says McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller.
Downtown businesses like Munzee's Market welcome the idea of more customers, but say the project could also bring more problems.
Rob Vardeman of Munzee's Market is concerned, "It's a good thing as far as bringing traffic down to the square for businesses, but one of the negative sides of that is we already have parking issues."
The development plan for the nine-acre site includes apartments, office and retail space along with 444 public parking spaces. Construction is anticipated to begin in January 2017.
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