Several city of Allen projects are moving forward, with one on track to be completed this spring.

The details: Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan gave a presentation updating members of Allen City Council and city staff on seven projects that are part of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan at a Feb. 10 meeting. Check out these project updates.

1. Police department headquarters

• Project: The new 103,000-square-foot, three-story facility ​​​​​​building will be “dried in” in early summer, which means the majority of the remaining work is focused on the interior, Flanigan said.
• Timeline: The project is expected to take two years to complete, with an anticipated opening in early 2027, per the city’s website.

• Project: The scope of the project includes replacing the original front steps, adding a ramp for accessibility and updating the surrounding landscaping, per city documents.
• Timeline: The project is on schedule and is estimated to be completed April 15, Flanigan said.

Back Nine is expected to open an Allen location in late February, a company representative said.

A closer look: The business offers an indoor golf simulation experience, per its website. Back Nine also has locations in Denton, Keller, Flower Mound and across the U.S.

• 190 E. Stacy Road, Ste. 1510, Allen

Here are five updates for road projects around Dallas-Fort Worth. 

1. FM 407 and I-35W intersection improvements
Project: Work includes adding right-turn lanes on the west side of FM 407 and I-35W to improve congestion. The project also includes adding drainage, vehicle deflection walls at the FM 407 and I-35W overpass and pavement markings.
Update: The Denton County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Ed Bell Construction Company during its regular meeting Jan. 30.

• Timeline: Construction will begin in February and take 100 days to complete.
• Cost: $3.03 million
• Funding source: Denton County

• Timeline: summer 2025-summer 2026
• Cost: $3.1 million
• Funding sources: city of McKinney, TxDOT Highway Safety Improvement Project funds

Early in-person voting in Texas’ primary elections begins Feb. 17 and lasts until Feb. 27.

How it works: Texas has an open primary system, where voters decide at the polling place whether to cast ballots in the Democratic or Republican primary. Voters may not participate in both primaries.

What to expect: Voters will be given a ballot with a slate of statewide seats and other races determined by the voting precinct they live in. During early voting, registered voters can visit any polling location in their county.

Candidates who win their primaries will advance to the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Why it matters: Early voting gives registered voters the opportunity to cast their ballots before primary election day March 3.

Voter advocacy groups and experts told Community Impact that a vote in the March primaries is “the most impactful vote” Texans can cast, due to consistently low voter turnout and competition in certain races. Over 18 million Texans are registered to vote, although about one-fifth of registered voters participated in recent primary elections.