🚗 Learn more about transportation projects in the McKinney area that are currently underway. Projects listed are underway with completion expected to come in 2026.

1. Virginia Parkway and Eldorado Parkway street rehabilitation
Project: Reconstruction of failing concrete panels and broken curbs along Eldorado Parkway between Ridge Road and US 75, and Virginia Parkway between Stonebridge Drive and US 75. New pavement markings and concrete joint sealants will be installed.
Update: Reconstruction continues on Eldorado Parkway. Reconstruction work on Virginia Parkway is expected to begin in 2026 after Eldorado Parkway is complete.

• Timeline: June 2025-May 2026
• Cost: $10 million
• Funding source: city of McKinney

Tao Rice Bowl recently opened in McKinney, a business representative said.

What they offer: The Taiwanese restaurant’s menu includes rice rolls, pancakes, sticky rice, wonton soup and more.

• 1550 S. Custer Road, Ste. 600, McKinney

🛒 Grocery store development continues to surge in 2025 as grocery chains follow population growth in the North Texas area.

In a nutshell: H-E-B, Kroger and Tom Thumb accounted for nearly half of all new retail construction in 2024, according to a retail report from Texas-based real estate firm Weitzman. The same report projected those retailers to continue driving much of the new retail construction in 2025.

David Palmer, executive vice president of development for Weitzman, said company officials are optimistic about continued grocery store growth in North Texas.

“Grocer-anchored retail shopping centers are some of the most valuable retail real estate in the market when it's done because of the stability,” Palmer said. “It’s the bedrock of the growth of retail in DFW.”

Zooming out: John Votava, corporate affairs director for Kroger, said Kroger officials consider growth when determining sites for new stores. Kroger wants to meet demand for grocery services in growing neighborhoods.

“We’re just following the rooftops—where you see communities springing up out of the dirt,” he said.

🏡 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.

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.