Nearly two decades after its initial conception, the 26-mile, $2 billion Silver Line transit rail from transportation agency Dallas Area Rapid Transit is now open.

As of Oct. 25, riders can hop on the train and travel to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in less than an hour. The Silver Line has two stations each in Plano and Richardson, and six additional stations that touch Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell and Grapevine.

Quote of note: DART CEO Nadine Lee called the Silver Line’s opening the “realization of a promise kept to our riders and our region.”

“This moment captures what we mean when we talk about moving [DART] from being seen as just a transit system to becoming a regional economic and mobility asset,” Lee said.

Something to know: Four DART member cities, including Plano, have initiated special elections allowing voters to decide if they remain with the transit system.

Richardson City Manager Don Magner said that city staff are working with DART and the other cities to identify a “regional solution” prior to any withdrawals.

Two new restaurants are now open in east Plano.

Blender Brands, a North Texas-based hospitality group, will own and operate the new concepts at Assembly Park, including Cliff Coffee, Tacoro Tacos & Tequila and Assembly Icehouse, co-owner Jacob Cox said.

Some context: The restaurants are part of Assembly Park, a mixed-use redevelopment of the former Plano Market Square Mall by Triten Real Estate Partners.
The project, completed in October 2023, includes creative office space, multifamily apartments and restaurant and retail space.

What you need to know: Cliff Coffee, a Southwestern-themed coffee shop, opened in late September, followed by Assembly Icehouse and Tacoro in November. Cox said Tacoro will be a taqueria with a full-service bar, and Assembly Icehouse will be a family-friendly sports bar featuring live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

• 6200 K Ave., Plano

Developers have broken ground on a master-planned community in Denton that will feature homes from nine builders, trails, park space, on-site schools and retail space, including the city's first H-E-B. Meanwhile, TeraHop, a Singapore-based tech company, is expanding its operations to a new Richardson facility.

Here are six development stories you may have missed from Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

Landmark breaks ground in Denton, model homes coming soon

VanTrust Real Estate announces 121 Commerce Park project in McKinney

Flower Mound council approves zoning for 335-acre conservation development Eden Ranch

Tech company TeraHop to open Richardson manufacturing facility

Grocery store development in North Texas continues to surge

Fort Worth launches Alliance Logistics District to streamline regional freight traffic

Kim McKinnon and Denise Lamanna work together as realtors on their “Downsizing Made Easy” program at Southlake-based McKinnon Real Estate, which focuses on helping homeowners across the region transition to senior living.

Community Impact interviewed McKinnon and Lamanna to provide families additional knowledge while considering a transition. Answers have been edited for length, style and clarity.

How can families determine if senior living is a good fit for their needs?
McKinnon: If someone is having a hard time functioning at home, meaning running errands, being able to get meals prepared. Are they able to walk freely?

Lamanna: Are their physical needs being met? We also run into loneliness or their ability to maintain their home from a maintenance perspective. That becomes an issue a lot of times with seniors.