In May, the city of Denton announced it approved a Construction Manager-At-Risk contract to allow crews to begin renovating and expanding the Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center, which is the city's animal shelter.

The takeaway: This contract was approved for $17.5 million, with most of the funding coming from the voter-approved 2023 bond. The funding will allow the shelter to expand its current facility by 9,000 square feet, providing more space and safer health measures for the animals, employees, volunteers and visitors, said Nikki Sassenus, Denton's director of animal services.

While the shelter will be bigger, Sassenus said the intake won't grow by much. The capacity will expand from 227 animals to 249. The distribution of the spaces will be reformatted to better fit the needs of the isolation and quarantine areas and provide larger living spaces.

The health and safety aspect for both the animals and people is another reason for the expansion. Sassenus said the only way to bring animals into the center is through the lobby, where people are waiting.

The Muse Nail & Lashes opened after rebranding from Elite Spa & Nails after it came under new management, salon manager Anthony Le said.

The details: The nail care salon offers manicures, pedicures, dip polishes and gel polishes, according to a pamphlet from the business. 

Other offerings include nail design, permanent makeup, eyelash extensions, waxing services and there is also a menu for child-friendly services.

There are several tiers of manicures and pedicures, ranging from a standard polish and nail trim to nail care that includes a warm herbal neck wrap, hot stone therapy, collagen gloves, a warm towel wrap and a neck and shoulder massage.

• 1719 S. Loop 288, Ste. 160, Denton

Texas A&M has partnered with gas station and convenience store Buc-ee’s to launch co-branded merchandise to be available on campus and at select Buc-ee’s locations.

The gist: The university was the first institution in the country to partner with Buc-ee’s in March, with some of the store’s products sold on campus. Buc-ee’s founder Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, who is also a graduate of the university, said the partnership is a way to celebrate both brands.

According to a news release from the university, the launch of the merchandise partnership will include a shirt featuring Buc-ee the beaver and Texas A&M iconography. According to the news release, the shirt will also be sold at the Barnes & Noble on the university’s campus.

What’s next: The co-branded material will be available at Buc-ee's locations in Central Texas and the greater Dallas and Houston areas. The university said future product releases are planned throughout the upcoming school year, which coincides with Texas A&M's 150th anniversary celebration.

• Available Aug. 4
• 1241 Joe Routt Blvd. #275, College Station

Check out five upcoming and ongoing transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Upcoming projects

1. East Hudgins Street utility work

Project: Work crews will install 1,500 feet of 8-inch water main and 1,500 feet of 8-inch sewer main along the roadway between South Dooley Street and South Main Street in Grapevine. Following completion of the installation, crews will reconstruct Hudgins.

Update: Grapevine City Council approved a contract worth up to $660,000 with Fort Worth-based RUTS Construction during a July 21 meeting.

• Timeline: mid-August-November

• Cost: $660,000

• Funding source: city of Grapevine

Ongoing projects

2. PGA Parkway construction

Project: PGA Parkway in Frisco will be constructed into a six-lane roadway from Preston Road to Coit Road.

Update: The project is under construction and expected to be completed later this year.

• Timeline: late 2024-fall 2026

• Cost: $31.1 million

• Funding sources: city of Frisco, external funding