BMK Pharma’s plans for a new Allen headquarters are moving forward.

The Allen Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a zoning change that would allow a manufacturing and research facility to operate near the intersection of Central Expressway and Exchange Parkway at a July 21 meeting.

The gist: The building is currently zoned for shopping center uses, meaning pharmaceutical manufacturing and research is not allowed, city documents state.

The change to a drug and pharmaceutical manufacturing zoning type would allow the building to be used for the research, design, development, production, storage and sales of pharmaceutical products, Senior Planner Matt Bechtlufft said.

JaRyCo Development celebrated 25 years of offering real estate development services in Allen July 1, President Bruce Heller said.

The details: The business’s first project was the office building at 1333 McDermott Drive, Heller said. Since then, JaRyCo Development has worked on Allen projects like the Twin Creeks Medical Center, Twin Creeks Rehab and The Farm, as well as projects across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, per its website.

Quote of note: “To stay in business for 25 years is a great achievement for any business, but to do it in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country tells us we must have done a few things right,” Heller said, in an email. “It feels great to think back about all of the great people we have been able to meet and work with and all of the opportunities we have been so fortunate to experience.”

• 714 S. Greenville Ave., Ste. 120, Allen

Need something to do this weekend? Here is a list of five events happening in the Allen area July 24-26. 

1. 'Toy Story' trivia night: The Brass Tap is hosting a “Toy Story”-themed trivia night. Guests can enjoy themed cocktails and will have a chance to win prizes.

• July 24, 7-9 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 2540 N. Watters Road, Ste. 180, Allen

• July 25, 12:15-2:15 p.m.
• $7 (admission), $3 (skate rental)
• 200 E. Stacy Road, Ste. 1350, Allen

• July 26, 3-4:30 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 300 N. Allen Drive, Allen

Harry Potter has been confirmed as the theme for the 2026 ice! experience at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine.

The display will feature 10 different scenes inspired by the wizarding world and will use 2 million pounds of ice to create the sculptures and scenes within the resort, according to the website. Each theme also features two-story ice slides and passageways throughout the experience.

The details: This year’s ice! runs from Nov. 13-Jan. 3, 2027, according to a news release. Tickets for the event are available starting at $33.32.

The experience, which is inspired by the Harbin Ice Festival in China, uses more than 300 Harbin-based artisans to create the sculptures, the news release states. The artisans spend about 40 days hand carving 60,000 ice blocks.

On-site, the experience is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the ice sculptures.