The front entrance to Allen City Hall is temporarily closed as construction began on a roughly $631,000 renovation project Dec. 17, according to a city news release. The scope of the project includes replacing the original front steps, adding a ramp for accessibility and updating the surrounding landscaping, per city documents.

“A significant improvement is being proposed to ensure reliable access for all constituents and visitors to this community,” Director of Engineering Chris Flanigan said.

The cost: The project will cost a total of $631,239.33, according to city documents. Allen City Council approved a contract with North Rock Construction & Associates for nearly $568,000 during a Dec. 9 meeting. The remaining roughly $63,400 will come from the city's facilities maintenance fund, city documents state.

Looking ahead: The project is estimated to be completed in the spring, per a city news release.

Coming soon: Dallas-based restaurant Katy Trail Ice House is opening a new location in Allen, Allen EDC President and CEO Dan Bowman confirmed.

The details: The menu features burgers, salads, tacos, barbecue, cocktails and 50 beers on tap, per the business’s website. It is expected to break ground this year, Bowman said.

“The project is really exciting for Allen,” he said.

• Exchange Parkway and SH 121, Allen

The city of Allen is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its first appearance on a map with a downtown festival Saturday, April 25.

Although people lived in Allen before then, city staff chose the plat filing in 1876 to mark the city’s founding, city staff said.

The details: The event will be from 3-9 p.m. in downtown Allen and include food trucks, live music, carnival rides, local shopping, a drone show and more.

What they're saying: “Marking 150 years of Allen is both a celebration of our past and a reminder of what makes our future so bright,” Mayor Baine Brooks said. “We’ve earned national recognition for the kind of city we’ve become, but our real strength has always been our people. Even as Allen has grown and changed, that strong sense of community and togetherness continues to define who we are.”

Allen ISD students will return to school Aug. 13 for the 2026-27 school year.

The context: The district’s board of trustees finalized the academic calendar for the upcoming school year during an October school board meeting. The calendar was created with feedback from community members and district staff, according to a district news release.

The specifics: The first day of school for students will fall on a Thursday as will the last day of school, which is planned for May 27. The calendar can be accessed via Allen ISD’s website.

Dates to know: Notable dates on the 2026-27 academic calendar include:

• First day of school: Aug. 13
• Fall break for students: Oct. 12-16
• Thanksgiving break: Nov. 23-27
• Winter break: Dec. 21-Jan. 4
• Spring break: March 15-19
• Last day of school: May 27

Interested in trending Allen-area news stories in 2025? Check out these six stories from Community Impact highlighting news from Allen.

1. Kalahari Resorts could bring 1.2-million-square-foot resort, convention center to Allen: The resort development is being considered as a use for a 123-acre site in Allen, according to a news release from the city of Allen.

2. Texas Health launches clinic to serve uninsured, underinsured Collin County residents: The Texas Health Community Resource Center, a new clinic concept from faith-based, nonprofit health system Texas Health Resources, aims to help Collin County residents with chronic diseases and limited access to health care, a news release states.

3. Allen Premium Outlets marks 25 years with celebration, monthlong promotions: Representatives of Allen Premium Outlets held a celebration Oct. 1 to commemorate the shopping center’s 25th anniversary.