Residents in East McKinney are leery about development plans to build an inverted deck park that covers around two acres and would connect the historic downtown to multiple development projects.
The project would cost McKinney taxpayers $40 million to $45 million, with a $2.5 million price tag of routine upkeep of operations and maintenance.
A couple of the new constructions that would be connected to downtown include the TUPPS Brewery and the new City Hall Plaza, both in development.
Some citizens, however, have voiced their frustrations about the new project to The Dallas Express and other local news outlets.
Maria McKinzie spoke to The Dallas Morning News about the frustrations she and many McKinney residents are feeling.
“They never were interested in anything on the east side until City Hall started being built,” McKinzie claimed of city officials.
A lifelong resident of McKinney, McKinzie says she would like the city to focus more on tackling dangerous road crossings that run along Highway 5.
“I’ve crossed that road so many times, and we’ve asked for road improvements, we’ve asked for curbs,” said McKinzie.
The Dallas Express spoke to Nadiyah Williams, another longtime McKinney resident and business owner. Williams explained that, even with the city’s growth, the east side has remained largely untouched.
“I have been in McKinney for a long time. Over the years, as other parts and roads within the city have improved, Highway 5 and East McKinney have pretty much stayed the same. I feel that this hasn’t been a priority, even with the city’s rapid growth,” said Williams, who runs Glow Bath and Body Co.
“This area has always been busy, even before the influx of additional residents,” said Williams. “While other roads were under construction to meet demand, Highway 5 was an afterthought.”
“While new businesses have been established on the west side of McKinney, especially near 75, the east side — although some developments have taken place — looks almost the same as it did when I moved here over 20 years ago,” she added.
“It would be nice to see a change to help ensure the safety of those who use Highway 5 and introduce new businesses to revitalize the area,” Williams concluded.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has committed up to $30 million for the inverted park.
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