Downtown McKinney hosts special holiday events, activities

For Immediate Release

For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
972-547-7525

Ty Lake
Main Street Program Director
972-547-2662

Downtown McKinney hosts special holiday events, activities
Annual Dickens of a Christmas, Candlelight shopping and tree lighting on the list

Downtown McKinney hosts special holiday events, activities
Annual Dickens of a Christmas, Candlelight shopping and tree lighting on the list

McKINNEY, Texas (Nov. 25, 2008) � Thousands will visit Historic Downtown McKinney Nov. 28 through 30, as it transforms into a Victorian Christmas scene for the 28th annual Dickens of a Christmas event. The 160 year-old town square was recently improved with new lights, landscaping, benches, street paving and wider sidewalks, making it even more suitable for annual events like this one.

Dickens is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. A special tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on Friday in Mitchell Park. Mayor Bill Whitfield and City Manager Frank Ragan will light McKinney’s living Christmas tree, planted in the park to serve the city for years to come. Singer Erica Lane will provide the entertainment.

“Dickens of a Christmas is McKinney’s premier festival that attracts visitors from all over the nation,” said Main Street Program Director Ty Lake. “This year will be even better, with new renovations to highlight our pedestrian-friendly atmosphere for shoppers looking for the perfect gift, diners relaxing in one of several restaurants or visitors just enjoying the special offerings that weekend.”

Strolling carolers, visits with Santa Claus, live entertainment and food are special additions to downtown during Dickens. A new highlight this year is a snow sledding or tubing hill. And carriage rides will be available at select times for no additional charge. More than 100 shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants home to downtown McKinney will be open.

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, downtown streets will be blocked off to through traffic beginning at 2 p.m. in order to begin setting up for the festival. Streets will be re-opening no later than midnight on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Candlelight Shopping Kicks off on Friday, Nov. 28 and runs through every Saturday during the month of December. The participating shops in Downtown McKinney, easy to spot by the candle displayed in their window, will stay open for extended hours to allow for more holiday shopping and dining.

Trolley service will be provided by Craig Ranch on Friday and Saturday from The First Baptist Church in McKinney to Mitchell Park in Historic Downtown McKinney. For more information, visit www.downtownmckinney.com or contact McKinney Main Street at 972-547-2660. Title sponsors for the 28th annual Dickens of a Christmas are IESI and The City of McKinney.

That same weekend, the McKinney Repertory Theatre performs the timeless favorite “A Christmas Carol” at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in the heart of downtown. Performances are Nov. 28 and 29 at 2 and 5 p.m. and Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. MPAC also hosts Santa Claus, who will be open for visits Nov. 28 and 29 from noon to 8 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. Visit www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org for a full calendar of holiday events at MPAC. On Saturday, November 29, Believe 2008! Family Fun Run will take place at Mitchell Park in Historic Downtown McKinney. Visit www.believemckinney.org for additional information.

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Housing Lawsuit Filed Against City and Housing Authority

For Immediate Release

For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org
972-547-7525 / 469-667-7688

Housing Lawsuit Filed Against City and Housing Authority

McKINNEY, Texas (November 20, 2008) - The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. (ICP), a nonprofit corporation involved in public housing issues, filed suit today against the City of McKinney and the McKinney Housing Authority (MHA). ICP alleges that McKinney and the MHA discriminate against individuals based on race or color because the city did not enter into an agreement to partner with ICP for the development of a low-income multifamily housing complex west of US 75.

“The city’s response to this lawsuit will show that the claims of discrimination made by this group are absolutely untrue,”� said McKinney Mayor Pro Tem Bill Cox. “The city works to ensure that affordable housing is available to all residents and is proud of its record of being at the forefront in providing low-income housing. Over half of the low-income housing units in Collin County are located in McKinney, although it makes up less than 20 percent of the County’s population. McKinney also has about twice the statewide average for low-income housing units per capita.”�

ICP filed a similar lawsuit today against the Town of Flower Mound, and has other housing lawsuits pending against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the owners of an apartment complex in the City of Irving. Each of those lawsuits also alleges discrimination in providing low-income housing.

The MHA is governed by an independent board of directors and is not part of the City of McKinney’s annual budget

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McKinney Economic Development Corporation celebrates 15 years

Press Release
For Immediate Release

For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org
972-547-7525 / 469-667-7688
McKINNEY, Texas (Nov. 12, 2008) - McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will celebrate 15 years of innovation and leadership on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 111 N. Tennessee in Historic Downtown McKinney. The purpose of the event is to honor the businesses that MEDC has assisted as well as past and current MEDC boards.

Some of the more notable developments that MEDC have assisted during the last 15 years include:

- Torchmark Headquarters move from Alabama
- The developments of the LEED-certified McKinney Green Building
- Healthcare projects like Methodist Hospital, Hospital at Craig Ranch, The Cooper Clinic, Erchonia Medical and Orthofix
- Relocation of EDS/Hewlett-Packard and Texas Instruments corporate flight departments
- Unique mixed-use projects like Adriatica and Times Square in Craig Ranch
- Expansions at Encore Wire, Raytheon and Manner Plastics
- Renovation and infrastructure in Historic Downtown McKinney
- Office projects like Summit Park and Heritage Park

“When the residents of McKinney voted to fund economic development efforts in 1993, community leaders took the responsibility very seriously,” said MEDC President/CEO David Pitstick. “These investments have paid off with new jobs and taxable value which also helps to fund the city’s public infrastructure and services.”

McKinney has been one of the fastest growing cities in the nation since 2000. In 2007, it ranked third behind New Orleans and Victorville, California. This year, McKinney ranked in the top 100 wealthiest cities in the nation by American Business Journals and was listed in Money Magazine’s top 15 “Best Places to Live”.

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McKinney Chamber hosts 2008 State of the Community

Press Release
For Immediate Release

For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
972-547-7525

McKinney Chamber hosts 2008 State of the Community

McKINNEY, Texas (Oct. 29, 2008) - The McKinney Chamber of Commerce hosts the 2008 State of the Community event on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. The event takes place at the Fellowship Bible Church, 2801 Orchid Drive. Leaders from four McKinney organizations - the City of McKinney, Collin County, Collin College and McKinney Independent School District - will share the accomplishments during the past year as well as their visions for the future.

Event schedule:
11:00  Registration and sponsor, exhibits open

11:30  Lunch

11:58  Welcome from Emcee Ray Ricchi, Chairman of the Board, McKinney Chamber and McKinney City Council member

12:00  Frank Ragan, City Manager, City of McKinney

12:20  Keith Self, Collin County Judge

12:30  Dr. Cary Israel and Dr. Mary McRae, Collin College

12:45  Tom Crowe, Superintendent, McKinney ISD

The theme of the event is A Natural Progression: Leading with Vision. For more information or to register for the event, contact Sharon Montgomery at 972.542.0163 or smontgomery@mckinneytx.org.

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