Catch up on the latest government news that came out of McKinney during the month of July. The roundup features Community Impact’s coverage of proposed enhancements along SH 5, two zoning cases and a specific use permit request.

1. McKinney officials review proposed enhancements along SH 5: City leaders got a potential look at some improvements that could be incorporated along SH 5 as part of a reconstruction effort led by the Texas Department of Transportation.

2. McKinney council approves specific use permit for Lifted Trucks dealership: McKinney City Council members greenlit Lifted Trucks’ parking space expansion with approval of a specific use permit. 

3. Dallas-based developer proposes apartment, townhome project in East McKinney: Streetlights Residential is proposing a mix of for-rent and for-sale townhomes alongside traditional multifamily buildings in East McKinney near the Old Settler’s Recreation Center.

Crunch Fitness is now open in McKinney.

The gist: The $12 million, 40,000-square-foot facility features a wide range of cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines, according to its website. The gym also includes locker rooms with showers, a boxing area and offers group fitness classes.

• 8551 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney

The Second Annual North Texas Bookstore Crawl runs throughout August and features 33 independently owned bookstores.

This year’s event runs Aug. 1-31 and includes bookstores from Grapevine, Plano, McKinney, Denton and Fort Worth.

The overview: The North Texas Bookstore Crawl was inspired by similar events that take place in Austin and Houston, and is meant to encourage readers to check out local independent bookstores throughout North Texas, per the news release. 

Throughout August, individuals can pick up a passport from participating bookstores or download one online and collect stamps across North Texas. 

Quote of note: "We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for last year's inaugural Crawl," said Katy Lemieux, co-owner of Talking Animals Books, in a news release. "We chose August because it is relatively slow for sales at the end of summer, and we all saw huge increases in revenue during August 2025. Independent bookstores aren't competitors, we're truly collaborators.”

Westlake officials announced construction of a data center near Keller and Southlake, while Frisco officials gave initial approval for a mixed-use project anchored by Trader Joe’s. Check out six trending stories from Community Impact’s Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas.

1. Westlake officials announce construction of data center near Keller, Southlake

2. Dave & Buster’s debuts 40,000-square-foot McKinney arcade, eatery

3. Frisco planning commission approves Trader Joe’s-anchored mixed-use project

4. EoS Fitness revises opening timeline for Celina location

5. Five restaurants now open, coming soon to Frisco

6. Taiwanese company Foxlink Group to bring 900 jobs to north Fort Worth

This summer, Texas is launching a new process to study the viability of data centers and other large projects seeking to connect to the state’s power grid. The process’ strict requirements could deter major industrial projects from coming to the state, experts warn.

The overview: The Electric Reliability Commission of Texas’ new "batch study process" will require that large projects be evaluated in groups, rather than individually. The process was developed in response to Texas’ data center boom.

What they're saying: All projects that would use at least 75 megawatts of electricity will be required to participate in the batch process—including industrial and hydrogen production facilities. However, industrial and manufacturing projects operate differently from data centers and may not be able to meet some of the batch requirements, industry representatives said July 29.

In a state that works to attract major companies and bills itself as business-friendly, that’s a concern, lawmakers said.

"Where are y'all at on trying to differentiate those types of traditional, enterprise, big commercial, large load projects?" Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, asked.