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ICYMI: 5 recent stories out of Plano

Catch up on five recent stories from the city of Plano.

250-unit senior living development set for Ohio Drive, Park Boulevard in Plano
A 250-unit Watermere independent living facility in Plano is set to move forward with development following approval from City Council. The facility will be going in at the former site of Plano Athletic Club, a gym at 4600 W. Park Blvd. which closed last year. Council unanimously approved plans for the complex April 13.

Plans for new retail buildings, fitness center at former Plano Kroger advance
New retail development could be coming to a former Kroger location in north Plano. A preliminary site plan calls for improvements to the former Kroger building at 9700 Coit Road for reuse as a fitness center, according to city documents. The plan also includes two new retail buildings on the 9.7-acre lot at the southeast corner of Coit Road and SH 121. The Kroger closed Jan. 23, 2025, and was replaced by the Kroger Marketplace store across the street at 9617 Coit Road.
 
Coming soon
Habitat Plants + Coffee to open Plano location

Habitat Plants + Coffee is set to open a new location in Plano. The shop is expected to open in early June, owner Karina Velez said.

The specifics: The shop set for the corner of Park Boulevard and Preston Road will serve a variety of beverages including coffee and tea, while also selling live plants, apparel and more. The original Habitat is located in downtown McKinney, and underwent an expansion earlier this year.

Quote of note: “We are known for our specialty coffee, house-made syrups and healthy houseplants,” Velez said.
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Art in the Square

Community Earth Fest

April 24-26, times vary
Southlake

April 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Plano

More info

More info

 

Allen 150 Fest

Colleyville Garden Club plant sale

April 25, 3-9 p.m.
Allen

April 25, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Colleyville

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
ERCOT forecasts quadruple growth in electric demand, warns estimate is likely overinflated

Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15.

The details: The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 megawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, according to ERCOT documents.

However, ERCOT leaders warned that the growth forecast is “preliminary” and needs adjustments.

What's happening: During an April 17 meeting, ERCOT officials told the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they plan to work with utility providers to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.

“I think it's clear we need to engage in the process and look at ways to refine this number to something that's more usable,” PUC Chair Thomas Gleeson said.

Stay tuned: ERCOT said it expects peak electric demand on the grid this summer will hit between 90,500-98,000 megawatts, which would shatter the current demand record.

 

Your local team

Michael Crouchley
Editor

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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