The McKinney Performing Arts Center will be closed for much of 2026 as it undergoes a $10 million renovation project.

The big picture: It’s the building’s first major renovation project since the 2000s when city officials reopened the former county courthouse as a performing arts center. Since it opened, the McKinney Performing Arts Center has hosted numerous community events and theater productions while driving traffic to downtown McKinney, city officials said.

Plans for the renovation include a refresh of the public restrooms, new seating in the theater, and infrastructure improvements. Cultural District Director Andrew Jones said officials hope the renovations will “enhance the public’s experience” when they’re visiting the facility.

The history: David Chase, a senior principal at Architexas, said the courthouse was originally constructed in the 1870s with a stone exterior and a mansard roof. It was later renovated in the 1920s to replace the roof and cover the stone with brick.

The Texas Historical Commission approved the renovation designs, which is a requirement since the building is a designated State Antiquities Landmark.

The Tox recently opened a location in McKinney’s West Grove, a business representative said.

The details: The Tox offers body sculpting and sculpting facials. Body sculpting incorporates techniques that increase metabolic rate, removes excess toxins and assists with water retention.

• 8701 W. University Drive, Ste. 230, McKinney

Nearly 10% of voters in Collin County cast a ballot in the primary election during early voting, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

Early voting for the 2026 primary election started Feb. 17 and ended Feb. 27 across the state, and unofficial results show 72,657 ballots were cast in-person or by mail, totaling about 9.66% of registered Collin County voters, ahead of the March 3 primary elections.

The details: The county’s turnout for early voters was nearly 37,000 voters for registered Republicans and more than 35,700 for registered Democratsout of 752,502 total registered voters, according to the secretary of state’s website.

Get involved: The primary elections for the Democratic and Republican parties are preliminary elections to select candidates from each party for the November election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 3 for election day. Registered Collin County voters can cast a ballot at any designated Vote Center on election day.

Stay tuned: Community Impact will continue to cover local elections through election night March 3.

Interested in news from businesses in the McKinney area? Check out 12 businesses now open, coming soon and other updates from the areas of central and East McKinney.

1. 7 Brew Coffee: The Arkansas-headquartered company offers a variety of drink options including coffee, energy drinks, tea, lemonade, smoothies and milkshakes.

• Opened Dec. 22
• 1510 W. University Drive, McKinney

• Opened Dec. 26
• 402 E. Louisiana St., Silo 105, McKinney

• Opened Feb. 2
• 2510 N. Hardin Blvd., Ste. 200, McKinney

Stay up to date with five road projects happening in Collin County, Denton County and Tarrant County. 

Collin County

Legacy Drive updates 

Project: Legacy Drive will be updated from Main Street to Panther Creek Parkway.

Updates: The project is in the planning phase, and details regarding the project are not yet available.

• Timeline: mid-2027-mid-2029
• Cost: $23 million
• Funding sources: city of Frisco, external funding

• Timeline: Work to be completed by the end of May.
• Cost: $1.6 million
• Funding source: city of Keller

Primary election day in Texas is March 3. With dozens of state, regional and local races on the ballot, voters in the Republican and Democratic primaries will determine their parties’ nominees for the November midterm election.

At the polls: Polling places across Texas will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 3, according to the secretary of state.

On election day, voters in the following counties in Community Impact’s coverage areas can vote at any polling location within their county of residence: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Collin, Comal, Fort Bend, Galveston, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Tarrant and Travis. Registered voters in other counties are required to visit a polling place specific to their voting precinct.

Voters are required to bring photo identification to the polls.

On the ballot: Voters will choose their political parties’ nominees for the U.S. Senate, seven state offices, 10 state judicial seats, 38 congressional seats, nearly all state legislative seats and over half of the State Board of Education. Candidates who win their primaries will advance to the November ballot.