Plans to redevelop the historic downtown have been two decades in the making!  In 2017, a downtown master plan was developed and later approved to help move the $70 million project forward. In the last few years, city leaders spent resident tax dollars traveling to Colorado and North Carolina to draw inspiration for the project. 

Mayor Cheney: In His Own Words

While things are moving forward (not as fast, as the speed of light), we want to go back in time and revisit some of Cheney’s statements regarding the “historic downtown.”

A year ago, Mayor Cheney told NBC 5 DFW that he hopes the historic district can be a place where residents can slow down and reconnect with their roots.  Well, Mayor … things are slow, very slow, down there!  Slow Traffic, Slow Construction, and Slow-Moving Progress!  In a straightforward physical sense, “going back to your roots” means returning to the place of your origin – meaning hometown.  If someone were to return to Frisco today, would they recognize the downtown area of their hometown?

Cheney continued, “You want to be able to tell your story and have a sense of identity and just always remember where you came from, and how the community started,” he said.   I am sure many Frisconian’s stories include going to Randy’s Steakhouse for dinner before the high school prom or sitting on the deck at Didi’s on any given night where you can see birthday celebrations, baby showers and more.  Lastly, our story, our sense of identity is intertwined with the small businesses who have been vital to our downtown over time.  

Cheney continued, “A tremendous amount of investment is going in from the city and people are just really excited.”    After two decades, why is the city “JUST NOW” making an investment into the historic downtown area?  What is driving that decision?  Is it to help the locals who live in the area?  Is it to help the businesses in the area?  Is it because the infrastructure demands it? 

Why now?  Why The Rush?  After two decades, why is there a rush now to get downtown done?  Is it because they want it done in time to celebrate Frisco’s 125^th Birthday?  Nope.  Is it because our residents need it and want it right now?  Nope.  The answer is in 4 LETTERS … FIFA which will drive TOURISM which has been the priority of this council under Cheney’s reign.

Mayor Cheney said to NBC 5 DFW, “The city hopes to finish construction just in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.”  That’s right, the placement of the downtown district is just half a mile away from Toyota Stadium, the home of FC Dallas will be hosting some events around the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

According to Local Profile, at the groundbreaking ceremony Mayor Jeff Cheney highlighted the significance of revitalizing the downtown area. “Every world-class city has a great downtown,” said Cheney.   In 2024, Conde Nast Traveler ranked the top 10 best world-class cities in the US.  They include Chicago, San Diego, New Orleans, San Franciso, Boston, New York, and Nashville.  Mr. Cheney, Frisco did not make the list.  People are not traveling to Frisco, Texas as their primary destination; it is a side-stop in their travel to somewhere else!  When elections come around, remember, this current council put TOURISM before residents … every single time!

Frisco Enterprises covered the groundbreaking and wrote, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney spoke about how the redevelopment and revitalization of the city’s downtown district has been a personal passion of his since joining the city council.   Mayor Cheney has had a lot of personal passions, like Fields, a performing arts center, and he has never shied away from the fact that he wants more amenities.  News flash, we want to get home faster and not be stuck in traffic for an hour and a half!  We want to exit the highways and not wait 30 minutes to get through the nearest intersection. Residents would like an animal shelter, roads with no potholes, and basic essential services.    

Cheney also said, “We want to make sure that our downtown Rail District is the heartbeat and soul of Frisco.  No great world-class city in the country does not have a great downtown — so (the Rail District Redevelopment project) is the beginning of that.” Next newsflash Mayor, our local businesses are the heartbeat and soul of Frisco!  Our small locally owned businesses on the east and west side of the city, which is connected by our downtown, add to the flavor, flare and heartbeat of our city!  You have already removed the soul from our city years ago.

Cheney emphasized the project’s commitment to preserving the historical essence of the Rail District while infusing it with modern amenities and attractions.  I guess we need to shout it from a ROOFTOP for our city council to understand … THE LOCAL BUSINESSES ADD TO THE HISTORICAL ESSENCE OF THE RAIL DISTRICT.  Why is the city turning a blind eye to that! 

HOW DOES CHENEY BENEFIT FROM THIS?

Well in 2022, Jeff Cheney posted to Facebook, “Now that we are the Official Realtor of the Rail District it’s only fitting that we share this City of Frisco video about the Downtown Redevelopment Project!” 

How did the mayor become the “OFFICIAL REALTOR” of the Rail District?  What does it mean to be the “OFFICIAL REALTOR” for the Rail District?  Did the city hold a contest that named him the “OFFICIAL REALTOR?”  We searched high and low and could not find anything about the city, naming him the Official Realtor for a city run an operated area.  This is not private like the PGA.    

Surely the mayor can understand the concern of his Real Estate colleagues who question the fact that he uses city videos (paid for by city tax dollars) on his personal business page claiming to be the “OFFICIAL REALTOR” for the Rail District and how that is problematic? 

HOW DOES THE CITY BENEFIT FROM THIS?

According to a February 2024 article in Frisco Enterprises, the City of Frisco is looking at how city-owned property on Main Street could be redeveloped to support the plaza.  The city put out an RFQ for development of downtown property located on a half block between Third and Fourth streets.  It entails 39,875 square-feet of property that is owned by the City of Frisco, Frisco EDC, and Frisco CDC.  The RFQ states the developers will act as partners with the city to achieve the city’s vision of a walkable downtown. The RFQ has a list of factors but two stood out being a boutique hotel and Destination entertainment and dining. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Strategic Planning:  If better strategic planning had been put into this project, the city could have done the revitalization construction during the COVID shutdown when businesses were already suffering a tremendous impact.  The small business administration said the pandemic’s effects were severe in the restaurant industry with nearly 16,000 restaurants permanently closing.  Restaurant sales and small business sales did not recover to pre-covid levels until sometime in 2023. Just as businesses locally are starting to recover and get back to business, now the city shuts down roadways and parking lots which are affecting our downtown merchants all over again.  Do they expect them to survive twice?   

Why the rush to finish by FIFA World Cup?  Why not stagger out the construction so it could have had less of an impact on local businesses?  Why is it every day this week that I drove down Main Street, there were less than 5 people working?  Where are the crews?  Where is the progress?

#SAVEMAIN: Fast forward twelve months—and you can practically hear the collective groan of shop owners, restaurant staff, residents, and customers dodging construction cones like it’s an Olympic sport.

And when this all started, what exactly was the expectation? Was there a plan for protecting the very businesses that are downtown Frisco? Because if they fail, what’s the point of shiny new sidewalks and pretty streetlamps?

Here’s the uncomfortable question: Who’s knocking on their doors now? Not to shop. Not to support. But to buy them out, flip their property, and cash in on a “revitalized” downtown without the very heartbeat that made it worth saving in the first place.

We will answer that question in SAVEMAIN – Part 3 (stay tuned)!

City of Frisco Official Rail District Open House: Click Here

City of Frisco’s Official Downtown Development Page: Click Here

Disclaimer: This blog includes satire, parody, and comic relief.  It contains summarized accounts created solely for humor and commentary.  Any resemblance to real events is either coincidental or intentionally satirical.  Reader discretion — and a sense of humor — are advised.