A Richardson office building is on track to include retail and other businesses after the City Plan Commission unanimously approved a rezoning on July 21. In addition to existing office uses, the building will now be allowed to house a bakery, barbershop or beauty salon and retail businesses.

The overview: The 5,300-square-foot office building is located at 200 S. Cottonwood Drive near Cottonwood Park. City planner Christine Ross said the current owners purchased the building in 2015 but have had difficulties attracting tenants.

The area used to be primarily doctor and dentist offices, owner Jay Farooqui said, but slowly many of these businesses have phased out.

Quote of note: “[This request] is almost like curing a hardship from the zoning to try to bring back some other usage cases,” Vice Chair Jeremy Thomason said. “The last thing we want is the whole sector to be a bunch of vacant buildings.”

Slap Burger is set to open soon in Richardson’s Arabian Village, according to a social media announcement.

The details: Slap Burger serves handcrafted smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, as well as specialty lemonades and milkshakes, per its website. The restaurant started in New Jersey and currently has additional locations in New York and Florida.

• 888 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson

American Express will expand its Centurion Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

The $35 million project, according to a state filing, will expand and renovate the lounge into a neighboring space near Gate D12 at Terminal D at DFW Airport.

The details: The expansion will make the lounge nearly 50% larger, adding more seating, a new dining area, a walk-up ice cream window and a second full-service bar, according to a news release.

The expected opening will be in 2027, according to a news release. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings show an estimated completion date for the 18,000-square-foot project of Nov. 19, 2027.

“American Express has long been at the forefront of the airport lounge experience, and we continue to build on that legacy and raise the bar as we grow our network,” said Audrey Hendley, American Express Travel president.

The background: The American Express Centurion Lounge at DFW Airport opened on Sept. 27, 2018.

• 2333 S. International Parkway, Terminal D, Gate 12, DFW Airport

Check out five upcoming, ongoing and completed transportation projects around the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

1. Pershing Drive utilities and roadway replacement
Project: Pershing Drive in Denton is receiving new water and wastewater lines, new roadway and portions of the sidewalk are being replaced. Denton voters approved the project as part of the Neighborhood 1B bond package.
Update: Crews are working to replace the driveway, curb and gutter with final paving to follow.

• Timeline: August 2025-August 2026
• Cost: $1.36 million
• Funding source: city of Denton

• Timeline: June 2025-October 2026
• Cost: $5.6 million
• Funding source: city of McKinney, Texas Department of Transportation