Latest Entry
Nov 30, 2008 Press Releases
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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Recent Entries
Nov 30, 2008 Press Releases
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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Nov 18, 2008 Press Releases
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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Nov 4, 2008 Press Releases
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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Oct 22, 2008 Press Releases
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
972-547-7525
MCDC approves conditional funding for Bridge Street Development
Decision to go before McKinney City Council next week
McKINNEY, Texas (Oct. 16, 2008) – The McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) board today approved additional funding in the amount of $5 million for the construction of the full-service Westin Hotel and convention center. Conditions for the developer at Bridge Street Town Centre, O&S Holdings, LLC, include penalties of up to $5 million for late completion.
“No one could have predicted the severe economic downturn we’ve experienced in the last months, particularly these past couple of weeks,” said Mike Gibson, MCDC Director. “To further protect the already substantial investment in the project, we placed stringent conditions on the funding.”
O&S Holdings, LLC, requested the additional amount as up-front funding from the MCDC board at their regular meeting on Oct. 7. The board deferred the decision until their next meeting, held this morning. The approved funding will be distributed to the developer incrementally as construction progresses, not immediately as the developer initially requested.
Several conditions include project completion by February 2010, with a monthly penalty of $1 million per month up to $5 million total if the deadline is not met. Additionally, all remaining funding necessary to fully complete the project must be secured from other sources prior to the additional $5 million being made available.
“It’s incredibly important for the quality of life and economic development in our community to see this project through to completion,” said Gibson. “The decision was not made lightly, but given the current conditions, it’s in the best interest of McKinney to keep the project moving forward.”
The MCDC was formed to financially support projects that enhance quality of life and economic development, and they are funded by a half-cent sales tax. The McKinney City Council will consider the item at their next regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 222 N. Tennessee Street.
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Oct 15, 2008 Press Releases
Collin County Regional Airport unveils improvements
McKinney general aviation hub welcomes dignitaries for $3M expansion project
McKINNEY, Texas (Oct. 13, 2008) - The Collin County Regional Airport will host state and local dignitaries at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. to unveil the latest improvements to the general aviation airport. The recently completed projects include a new taxiway, fuel farm expansion, perimeter access road to access the fuel farm and security improvements.
“The Collin County Regional Airport has received approximately $11.3 million in grant funding in the past year, which aids in expansions and improvement projects like this one. This project as a whole provides infrastructure to accommodate the needs of nearly any business aviation user who uses our airport as home base now or in the future,” said airport Director Ken Wiegand.
Taxiway G marks the third taxiway built in the past four years at the airport. It provides access to roughly 30 acres of airport property that is ready for immediate aviation development. Because it is about 10 inches thick, it can handle up to a Boeing Business Jet.
The expanded fuel farm now has pads for six additional future above ground storage tanks for a total capacity of ten tanks. That increases storage capacity from 87,000-gallons to 237,000-gallons of aviation fuel to accommodate additional demand. This facility features secondary containment for environmental and fire protection, secure access and security cameras.
A newly constructed perimeter road enables fuel trucks to access the fuel farm without driving on a taxiway for improved safety. Perimeter security access controls were constructed to better manage access to the airfield, and a new security camera system has been added.
The complete project cost is approximately $2.76 million and was paid for by grants from TxDOT Aviation, the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, the Department of Homeland Security and the City of McKinney.
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Oct 15, 2008 Press Releases
Political media satire performance at MPAC
Whirled News Tonight entertains with real news and improvisation
McKINNEY, TEXAS (Oct. 7, 2008) – On Saturday, Oct. 18, Chicago’s critically acclaimed, long-running, improvised news satire Whirled News Tonight entertains audiences at McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for performances at 7 and 10 p.m. in MPAC’s Courtroom Theater.
Newspaper headlines and other stories from the media provide the inspiration for an evening of comedy by performers from iO Theater. From audience suggestions, the team creates a fast-paced show.
Before the performance, audiences select stories and headlines from media sources and tack them up on several bulletin boards onstage. The cast randomly chooses articles on which to base their improvisation.
“This show is equal parts political satire, news parody and social commentary. In this election year, it’s sure to ignite debate as well as laughs,” said MPAC director David Taylor.
Early voting begins on Monday, Oct. 20. To help inform voters, information tables with representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties of Collin County will be on MPAC’s first floor prior to the performances.
Whirled News Tonight is the brainchild of Chicago’s iO Theater and has played to standing room only crowds in Chicago for the past five years. McKinney is one of its first stops as the show hits the road for performances across the country. iO is renowned as a recruiting stop for television shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and MADtv. iO Theater alumni include Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Vince Vaughn, Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch.
Reserved seating tickets for Whirled News Tonight range from $20 to $30 and are available through MPAC’s Emerson Ticket Office at 214-544-4630 or on-line at www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org.
Before the performances, MPAC welcomes guests for its second reception honoring artists of the ArtWorks program designed by North Texas Arts for Business and Culture. ArtWorks promotes partnerships between artists and businesses by providing opportunities for artists to exhibit their work in office lobbies and other public spaces.
The artists on Saturday, Oct. 18, include Greg Piazza, Lynda Rhodes, and Mary Frank. Meet the artists from 5 to 7 p.m. in MPAC’s Gallery, the restored vault of the courthouse on the ground floor. The ArtWorks reception is free and open to the public.
MPAC Fall 2007 – Spring 2008 Season is sponsored by Emerson Process Management. Additional support provided by: McKinney Community Development Corporation, City of McKinney, The Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV, Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Holiday Inn & Suites McKinney-Eldorado, Tucker Hill, North American Title Company, Carlson Wagonlit, Holland America, McKinney Parks, Recreation and Open Space, North Texas History Center, All Star Golf, Synergy Bank, S.S.B., Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra, and McKinneyNews.Net.
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Oct 5, 2008 Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2008
TRENDY SHOPPES: SHOP TRENDY, SHOP INDIE, SHOP HANDMADE
SKJ Web Designs Inc. launches a new indie shopping website featuring trendy handmade items. Trendyshoppes.com features items including accessories, apparel, bath and body, earth friendly, household, jewelry, children’s items, and paper goods.
Trendy Shoppes believes in supporting the indie designer. When you shop there you are supporting independent designers, artists and crafters as opposed to big corporations. The designers that make these products are dedicated to producing quality items and take great pride in the work they do. You will find a commitment to quality and creativeness among their wonderful vendors and designers. So if you are looking for something that you can’t get at the local mall, you are visiting the ideal online store.
Trendy Shoppes offers easy online shopping, featured items, and a wish list. To learn more about Trendy Shoppes, please visit www.trendyshoppes.com.
About Trendy Shoppes:
Trendy Shoppes is a new online store where you will find unique, hip & trendy handmade items.
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If you would like more information about Trendy Shoppes, please visit www.trendyshoppes.com or email info@trendyshoppes.com
Oct 5, 2008 Press Releases
Press Release
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org
972-547-7525
Rapid growth means some get new trash, watering day
McKinney re-routes give 100,000 residents different collection day
McKINNEY, Texas (Oct. 3, 2008) – For the first time since 2004, McKinney Environmental Services department is coordinating a trash collection re-route with IESI, the city’s solid waste services company. Not every house will be affected, but 10,000 residents will have a new trash collection day as of Monday, Oct. 6.
Residents who are affected have received a notice on their trash bin with their new trash day. Signs posted in neighborhoods within the re-routed area also notify residents of the change. If a resident does not receive a notice attached to the trash or recycling container, their trash collection and watering days will stay the same. The city is making some concessions to accommodate citizens during the change.
“Trash collection is a vital service, so IESI will conduct collections for those who were missed throughout the week of Oct. 6,” said Eric Hopes, Environmental and Fleet Services Manager. “Our intent is to make the changes as easy as possible, while achieving the end result of an evenly distributed refuse pick-up load.”
A new trash collection day also means a new day to for recycling and environmental waste pick-up, and a new watering day. If your trash day changes, remember to water on that new collection day and again three days later if necessary.
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Oct 5, 2008 Press Releases
Press Release
For Immediate Release
For More Information, Please Call:
Anna Folmnsbee
Communications and Media Manager
afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org
972-547-7525
Phase 2 of McKinney Smoking Ordinance Goes into Effect Sept. 4
McKINNEY, Texas (Aug. 29, 2008) - Smoking regulations in McKinney went into effect on New
Year’s Day this year, banning smoking in many public places. Starting Sept. 4, the second and final phase of the smoking regulations goes into effect, which means no smoking in businesses across McKinney.
The second phase includes all enclosed places of employment within the city, retail stores, offices, restaurants, public transit, museums, theaters, public parks, hospitals and common use areas in apartment and other buildings. The date for enforcing the final phase is exactly one year from the date City Council adopted the ordinance.
“We granted existing businesses with a valid certificate of occupancy dated prior to Jan. 1, 2008, a full year from the Sept. 4, 2007, ordinance adoption date to comply with the smoking ordinance,” said Community Development Director Sam Chavez. “Anyone who chooses to smoke can still do so on their personal property, among other select places.”
McKinney’s ordinance allows smoking in private residences, including porch and yard areas, personal automobiles, retail tobacco stores and designated smoking rooms of country clubs.
Smoking is also allowed in outdoor places of employment, on public sidewalks at least 25 feet from doors and windows, and in parking lots within public parks.
“Our focus for the ordinance is public health,” said Chavez. “We have had great compliance with the first phase of the ordinance, and many establishments voluntarily have been smoke-free for quite a while.”
In addition to local businesses, not more than 10 percent of hotel and motel rooms can be designated smoking rooms. All smoking rooms must be on the same floor, adjacent to the other smoking rooms and require separate ventilation systems.
Any person or business violating the ordinance will be punishable by a fine of up to $500.
For more information about McKinney’s smoking ordinance, to view the ordinance, or to download a copy of the “No Smoking” sign, visit www.mckinneyinfo.com.
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