After years of planning, Allen officials are moving forward with plans for a revitalized downtown.

The action taken: Allen City Council approved the first phase of the city’s Downtown Catalyst Project at a March 10 meeting. The approval included greenlighting agreements between the city and multiple partners in the project, including the Allen Economic Development Corp., the Allen Community Development Corp. and Rough Creek Capital Services.

The specifics: The site will feature 18,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, a public pocket park, a stage and temporary parking, per city documents. The budget for this phase of the project is $17 million, half of which will come from the city through an economic incentive agreement. Allen’s EDC, CDC and downtown tax increment financing district will each contribute approximately $2.8 million.

Quote of note: “Our community has always valued connection, excellence and a sense of belonging," Allen EDC President Dan Bowman said in a news release. "With this landmark project, we’re laying the groundwork for a downtown that truly brings people together.”

Barrio Burrito Bar is planning to open an Allen location this spring, General Manager Jake Sweeney said.

The details: The Tex-Mex restaurant has locations across the U.S. and offers catering, according to its website. The menu includes tacos, burritos, bowls, quesadillas, chips and queso, fries, churros and more, per its website.

• 1480 N. Custer Road, Allen

The Samaritan Inn CEO Jill Sciglian welcomed two- and four-legged guests to a Feb. 26 groundbreaking event for a pet kennel at their McKinney facility.

The new kennel will almost triple the capacity space of the existing on-site kennel, according to the nonprofit’s website.

The details: The 1,244-square-foot kennel, which will accommodate up to 28 pets—16 dogs and 12 cats—is slated for completion Oct. 1, Chief Development Officer Kellie Maynard said.

What's special about it? Out of the 11 transitional shelters in Collin County, The Samaritan Inn if the only comprehensive housing program providing boarding for pets of any kind, Maynard said.

• 1514 N. McDonald St., McKinney

New retail space in Frisco and mixed-use development in Southlake are some of the many new North Texas projects filed recently with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Here are five of the most expensive permits filed with TDLR in the past week.

1. O’Reilly Auto Parts warehouse shuttle system: An automated storage and retrieval shuttle system is under construction for a new O’Reilly Auto Parts warehouse in north Fort Worth, according to a recent TDLR filing. The shuttle system will include three separate rack structures and a mezzanine with a catwalk. Construction is estimated to take a little under two years.

2. Retail pavilion at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa: A new retail pavilion will be constructed within an existing retail district at the Omni PGA resort and spa in Frisco, according to a recent TDLR filing. The resort had its grand opening in 2023, per previous reporting. The 15,200-square-foot development is estimated to take less than a year to complete.