Cue the organ. Dim the gaslights. Somewhere beneath City Hall, in the catacombs of taxpayer-funded dreams and concrete promises, a shadowy figure stirs. No, it’s not Andrew Lloyd Webber’s misunderstood genius — it’s Mayor Jeff Cheney, cloaked not in a mask but in economic development jargon, quietly orchestrating Frisco’s most expensive performance yet: the Frisco Center for the Arts.
You won’t find him on stage — no, he’s under it. Pitching, plotting, and maybe even humming a show tune with Tammy Meinershagen. They are not haunting an opera house, but haunting public trust, serenading voters with visions of velvet seats and chandelier-worthy productions — all while the deal’s finer details stay buried beneath layers of “partnerships,” and “nonprofits,” and a conveniently ambiguous price tag.
This isn’t just art. This is politics set to music — a taxpayer-funded overture with mystery, misdirection, and a plot twist or two we’re not supposed to see until the curtain drops. Grab your mask (and maybe your calculator), dear reader. We’re headed backstage, into the Phantom’s lair, where the lights are low and the truth is off-book.
#1 Concern: Mo Money, Mo Problems!
The total maximum project budget for the FCFA is $340 million. Prosper has pledged to contribute $100 million from a bond approved in 2023. Then the City of Frisco is proposing $45 million from the CDC, $75 million from the EDC and $40 million from the Tax Reinvestment Zone No. 1. The Frisco CDC and EDC come from sales tax, which means if you shop in Frisco and you pay sales tax on an item then you are paying towards this project.
City leadership keeps reinforcing that this project will cost $160 Million funded through sales tax efforts and we keep asking for proof that residents won’t be left holding the purse strings. The question residents should be asking is “Does this project along with all the other current projects, put a significant tax burden in the future for Frisco?”
Do you know what Frisco’s outstanding bond debt is today? Currently Frisco taxpayers are on the hook for $1.47 BILLION in OUTSTANDING bond debt (principle & interest).
If we read the latest 2024 Rating Summary for all the CDC debt which includes Toyota, the CDC is currently carrying $464 million in outstanding principal and interest which is being serviced by the $34.9 million in CDC sales tax revenue as reported September 2024. Using Toyota as an example, normally the CDC finances on a shorter term, however with Toyota Stadium they did $72 Million for 30 years at a rate of 5.30 probably to keep the payment low.
When you look at the historical revenues for the CDC, the year ending 9/30/20 they had $22,562,428 in gross tax receipts and at the end of 2024 it was $34,929 and it was about the same in 2022/2023). That means with all the Halo Projects Cheney brags about it having only generated an additional $12 million in sales tax for CDC. Huh? That is because no one saw Covid coming and the world shut down. What if that happens again or the economy tanks, then what?
Are we over invested?
Toyota Stadium: $182 million in improvements: $77 million – TIRZ: City of Frisco, FISD, $40 million – FCDC, $65 million – The Hunt family
Downtown Rail District Revitalization: $76 Million
Grand Park: In 2006, voters approved the allocation of $22.5 million towards the acquisition and initial development of GP. In 2015, voters approved an additional $10 Million for GP. From research we know the city approved $4.84 Million already spent on design costs. We went through numerous articles, city power points, meeting notes and the one thing we can’t find – what will Grand Park cost? Ask yourself, a park bigger than Central Park in New York with all the bells and whistles – how much will that cost? Where will the money come from?
Plus, we have plenty of projects open like The Mix, Firefly, and Universal where we are offering performance-based incentives. For The mix it is up to $113 Million.
From Box Office to Backroom
Take the CDC and EDC out of the picture for a moment – what type of projects are currently on the plate for the city. These projects are “Needs” not “Wants” which is very different. According to GIS Data the Parks Capital Improvement Projects has 50 total projects in the pipeline for $170 Millon and the Engineering Capital Improvement has 66 projects in the pipeline for $457.9 Million.
Taxpayer Tango
Let’s talk about Bond, money bond! In the 2006 bond, voters approved of $5 Million and in the 2015 bond voters approved of $10 Million for a total of $15 Million. How much of that is left? According to the pretty PowerPoints thrown at us for the FCPA they have $11.5 Million left. We are curious about how that is possible and are doing more research into their claim. How much of it have they spent and what did they spend it on? Why has the city done so many feasibility and spatial studies over the years for a theater? The answer, because each study came back and said a larger facility was not sustainable. In fact, the recommendations have been a 300 to 500 seat option and 1200 to 1800-seat option. If you ask our opinion, they spent millions of that bond money on shopping studies, meaning research, consultants, and surveys. Why, they needed “THE ONE” that supported the narrative, we need a 2800 to 3000 square feet facility to justify the boondoggle Broadway Ballot.
Remember how they have said no property tax dollars will be used on this project? A Tax Reinvestment Zone captures growth in both sales and property tax value. It can only be used to fund improvements for the properties inside its boundaries. If they are using money from the TIRZ that is captures of property tax then they are using our dollars for this project.
Smoke, Mirrors, and Marquee Dreams: A vote “YES” just takes us to the next step! If you have been following the meetings for this opportunity, then you have heard each of them say “This is a vote to go forward to the next step.” This is the definition of a misleading statement filled with false impressions and the intent to deceive or mislead the voters. Context matters!
This is a NOT a vote to “go to the next step” it is a major vote to change the use of Economic Development Funds.THIS VOTE SETS A PRECEDENT ON USING EDC FUNDS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL USES. The city is COMMITING FUNDS, which enables them to get a contract done (meaning we have no contract now) to SECURE AN OPERATOR. No money = No Operator.
A vote “YES” will put a burden on the CDC and EDC and burn a lot of potential future opportunities that could significantly contribute to the tax base and sales tax base in Frisco. The ever-growing debt burden will impact future projects. So this is not a vote to just go forward to the next step. If it was they would not be trying to sell it so hard like used car salesman.
Let’s close this one out! Money matters and we are already carrying a $1.47 Billion Dollar Burden! We have not even touched on the other issues and concerns yet, of which there are several. Numbers don’t lie! No matter which way the city tries to sell this to residents it is FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE to bring a project like this to voters and mislead them with a vote yes in may is just a vote to allow us to move to the next step. Once they change the use of the EDC funds nothing will stop Cheney or Tammy Meinershagen (who apparently wants to be our next Mayor) for going all the way. Is that a burden you are willing to carry?
Elections are just around the corner, and while the yard signs are blooming like bluebonnets in May, the details on Frisco’s shiny new “Broadway-style” Frisco Center for the Arts remains as clear as a foggy morning on Preston Road.
We’ve got the Smart Frisco PAC telling us this whole thing is “free”—which is fitting, considering their treasurer once filed as indigent to get a reduced bond. I guess if it’s good enough for the courts, it’s good enough for taxpayers. Free must be her favorite word—right after entering a “plea” for her charges of assault causes bodily injury to a family member.
Then there’s Councilman Bill Woodard—who donates to the PAC and then insists he’s supporting it “as a citizen.” That’s like Clark Kent donating to the Daily Planet and swearing Superman had nothing to do with it.
Meanwhile, Cheney is pitching this project like a used Buick with a busted transmission—“low miles, clean title, don’t ask too many questions!” And let’s not forget Councilmember Tammy Meinershagen, who’s dressing this deal up like she’s starring in Pretty in Pink—but she fights like a jaguar defending her turf in the Amazon. Ask a question and you’ll find yourself swatted into next week.
And yet, no one—not one single elected official—wants to talk about the actual nuts and bolts of that build this deal. Residents need to stop and ask themselves, “Why are we voting on a project with more gaps than a 1970s punch card?”
“Just go with it,” city leaders say. I think we heard that before when they were talking about Universal Kids Studios. Remember the night of the vote, all the major elements hand changed like how late the park can open, how high the rides can be, and of course that mysterious traffic report. The city wants us to trust them again, like they are magicians, and we should just hand over our wallets.
I can still hear my dad saying, “Son, nothing in life is free.” Especially not a $340-million-dollar arts center being peddled like cotton candy at a county fair. Buckle up, Frisco. It’s time to pull out the wrench, tighten the screws, and see what this Broadway baby is really made of. Spoiler: it might not be glitter and show tunes under the hood.
The conversation of a Performing Arts Center has been ongoing for years in Frisco. We started by filing a PIR for a complete copy of all the performing arts center studies done over the years and any associated documentation related to the reports including those from consulting groups, or 3rd parties. However, the city leadership who claims to be transparent, upfront and honest, sent our request at the time to the Attorney General claiming “trade secrets” as to why they wanted to withhold details.
Take the Delorian back to 2002 and that is when the City was in discussions for the Arts of Collin County (ACC) which was to be owned and operated by the Cities of Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano. At the time the survey conducted said there were no adequate medium-too large facilities in Collin County to support the enjoyment of the arts. At that time the city council supported an initial facility program that included a flexible multipurpose theater with a seating capacity of 800 to 1200 seats. It should also include a second theater with a seating capacity of 350 to 600 seats. The initial location was to be 121 and Custer Road on a site that contained 80 acres donated for the project. The funding for the ACC was to be $76 Million split 4 ways between each city. A bond package put before Frisco voters in 2002 was approved but the road ahead was not going to be without speed bumps.
What Killed The ACC?
The beginning of the end is when McKinney voters opted not to pony up the $19 Million membership fee leaving Allen, Plano and Frisco to pony up more money. The economy had turned downward. The project which had taken 10+ years to advance was not again in front of Frisco voters in 2011. At that time Frisco had the highest voter turnout in 14 years with over 18 percent. Roughly 53% of the voters decided to revoke the city’s authority to sell the $16.4 million in bond money for the ACC. At the time of the vote more than $8 million in bond money had already been spent on researching and designing. It was the final curtain call for the Collin County ACC. Former Mayor of Frisco, Mike Simpson, who was the ACC’s project executive director told the DMN at the time, “There is no question that the city of Frisco making the decision to withdraw their funding and withdraw their support was the biggest challenge. We pretty much had full funding with Frisco’s participation.”
Economy Bounce Back
It was time to dive back into an arts facility pool in 2015. At a February city council meeting the city council voted on two key items. The first was item #17 which was to consider an act to publish a Request for Qualifications for the development and implementation of a study to examine the feasibility of a performing/theater arts facility within Frisco City Limits. It does not say how much it would cost to do but it does say the funding for services would be handled during mid-year adjustments.
That same night they also approved the Citizen Bond Committee recommendation for the 2015 Bond Package which included $10 Million for a performing arts center. One of the many residents who spoke at that time to support the line item was none other than Tammy Meinershagen.
In November of 2015, the Frisco Creative Center for the Arts commissioned a Facility Programming Report by Page Southerland Page which is a program study to discover what the needs were by local groups in an arts facility. Based on those needs Page Southerland Page prepared 5 scenarios and in January of 2016, Tammy Meinershagen (the Arts President), presented the preliminary program and needs assessment to the City Council at the Winter Work Session. What was the outcome? The 5 outcomes included one 300 seat, three different 800-seat options, and a 1200 seat option which would be overboard.
2018 Brings More Studies
Sometime in 2018 the City of Frisco commissioned a “Needs Assessment” by Webb Management Services and Parkhill, Smith & Cooper. It was presented to the council on June 29, 2018, at the Summer Work Session. What did it cost taxpayers? Well, we don’t know exactly but we do know based on the Check Register in 2018 Parkhill, Smith & Cooper was paid a total of $315,600.30 for professional services. What were the suggestions? A marriage of two facilities:
1) 300 – 500-seat facility for community use which was currently in high demand but lacking in availability with a potential cost of 40 to 50 million dollars including parking and land.
2) 1200 – 1500 seat facility that will a gap for Frisco and surrounding areas in the region, but it would require a partnership with private entities and cost 50 to 60 million range.
What were the concerns: If the city opted for only the larger facility it would not be sustainable and would not likely be cost-effective for community performing arts groups.
Frisco ISD and City of Frisco Swim Together in the Arts
In August of 2020, we found another Visual & Performing Arts Center Feasibility Report that had been commissioned by Frisco ISD and City of Frisco. We filed a PIR with Frisco ISD and learned that the report cost the district $28,000 and the City of Frisco reimbursed Frisco ISD in the amount of $14,000. It lists Garfield Public Private and Schuler Shook. What was the outcome?
In early January of 2021, Chief Innovation Officer Jason Cooley updated the Council on the Performing Arts Center. He recapped feasibility studies concluded in December 2020, indicating a consensus on the flexibility required for such a facility in Frisco in order to accommodate various needs of the entities using the facility. Dr. Cooley stated the next steps are to have discussions with the school district to determine the appropriate size of the venue. City Manager George Purefoy updated Council on the status of the agreement, indicating the draft is with the school district for their review and comments. A final agreement was not expected until March or April of that year.
By June of 2021, then President of Frisco EDC, Ron Patterson was bringing before council a request to approve a Master Development Agreement for a Performing Arts Center, Parking Garage and Park. The deal included City of Frisco, Frisco ISD, Frisco CDC and EDC, and HP Frisco Holdings, aka Hall Group. The public private partnership was shouted from the rooftop by Mayor Cheney and it was to include 1,250 seat Main Performance Hall, 250 Seat Community Venue, a 1,100 stall parking garage and a 5-acre public park. The estimated total at the time was $99 Million ($66 Million for the PAC and $33Million for the garage).
Financial Considerations:
· $43M FISD will source their funds through approved bonds
· $13M City will source these funds through approved bonds ($2M of the $13M already sold and the remaining will be sold as required for the project)
· $33M CDC and\or City CO bonds to be funded through TIRZ#6 with a backstop of this debt by Hall
· $10M Hall will provide funding for the PAC, fund $15M for the Park development, provide the PAC and Park Properties at no cost to the City and FISD
Key Point: The FEDC, while not part of the master development agreement, will provide up to $5 million toward redevelopment of a portion of Hall Park for two buildings, according to the memo. One facility will contain a 15-story office building, hotel space and a parking garage. The second will be a luxury high-rise residential building with a parking garage.
In November of 2021, the city council was taking the next step to approve an agreement for the Program Manager Services (CBRE Heery) who would act as the representative for the planning, design, and construction of the project. The cost is a lump sum fee of $2,074,400.
In February of 2022, an agreement was executed with Corgan + Studio Gang for architectural services for the PAC and garage in the amount of $175,000. The initial agreement was for a spatial analysis study to determine the appropriate size and scale of facilities which can then be used to determine an appropriate construction budget and schedule.
THE IMPLOSION
By August 2022, it was announced that the City of Frisco and Frisco ISD were parting ways on the plan to build the joint performing arts center in conjunction with Hall Group. The school district announced it will move forward with its own PAC using the $3 million approved in bonds back in 2018 by voters.
A community impact article from that time stated, “Some local arts supporters advocated for a larger facility to attract touring Broadway shows and other commercial acts. A fundraising campaign launched in August 2021 set out to raise $100 million more for the project. An online petition about the efforts to build a new performing arts center sought to have at least 1,750-2,000 seats.” It went on to say, “But city and school officials learned in May that costs in materials, labor and equipment had increased more than 50% since the June 2021 agreement. Representatives with Corgan, which was chosen as the project architect, stated that a 1,250-seat venue would carry a price tag of between $135.7 million-$151.1 million. A 1,500-seat venue would cost between $146.1 million-$158.2 million, and a 1,750-seat venue could cost as much as $181.1 million, according to Corgan estimates.”
HERE COMES BROADWAY
In January of 2023, the council was again voting to execute an agreement with Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc. for consulting related to a PAC which includes a performing arts venue business plan. It would also include developing a utilization strategy, management approach, and business plan for three different venue options: a 350-seat community venue, a 1,500-seat flexible venue, and a 2,000-seat proscenium venue. Total cost for these services is $99,300. Bond funds were available for this project.
In May 2023, at a special called city council meeting, Chief Innovation Officer Jason Cooley introduced Alex Keen of Keen Independent Research and Gena Buhler of Theatre Projects who gave a presentation regarding the current study for the proposed Performing Arts Center. After discussion, Council determined to envision large and small facilities located together and to focus first on Broadway, with an emphasis on making it a uniquely Frisco venue. Council encouraged Alex Keen and Gena Buhler to consider including a VIP or club experience which would generate revenue to help with the maintenance and operations of the facility.
In September of 2023, the council executed an agreement again with Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc for more “consulting services” in the amount of $1,415,500 to be paid for by bond funds. This new scope will include exploration, development, costing, and preliminary design for the proposed performing arts complex. Elements include multiple costing studies, site analysis (Hall Park site), comprehensive community engagement, economic impact analysis, a design competition, capital stack/funding study, and refinement of the final business plan and City investment. This is a phased approach over the next eighteen months, offering flexibility to adjust along the way.
On October 3, 2023, at a city council Work Session, Assistant City Manager E. A. Hoppe gave a presentation (Exhibit B) reviewing the scope and timeline for the Performing Arts Center. He also reviewed the proposed venue and club touring schedule and the establishment of a Council Ad-Hoc Committee, including three (3) Council Members and City Manager Wes Pierson. Mayor Jeff Cheney, Council Member Tammy Meinershagen, and Mayor Pro-Tem John Keating volunteered to be the members of this Ad Hoc Committee. *** Look at that the 3 Amigos volunteered for the committee***
The next update came June 25, 2024, at CC Summer Work Session, whenGena Buhler, Principal of Theater Projects and Alex Keen, Principal of Keen Independent Research gave a presentation, reviewed the updated timeline, project phasing and tasks, refining the business plan, and priorities for the project. They also provided an update on a possible Broadway partnership update and a funding study. Also, they mentioned the community engagement feedback project is still in progress.
In September of 2024 at a city council meeting they received an updated Item # 7which was a status update on Phase 1A/1B planning study for FCFA. Gena Buhler, with Theatre Projects, and Alex Keen with Keen Independent Research gave an update to Council regarding the Phase 1A/1B planning study for the Frisco Center for the Arts.
At the same meeting the council also authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute the First Amendment to the Agreement with Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc., for consulting services related to a performing arts venue in the amount of $214,350. These changes from the original contract, resulted in a new project total of $1,629,850. According to city records, bond funds are available for this project and were utilized for the initial Phase 1A/1B portion of the project.
By November 2024, the council was ratifying the execution of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Broadway Across America/Broadway Dallas related to the proposed Frisco Center for the Arts. Based on Phase II, the City Council and community were informed of two exciting partnership conversations. One with a proposed Broadway presenting partner, and the other with a potential educational/community partner.
The attached Letter of Intent with Broadway Across America (BAA) and Broadway Dallas outlines key expectations of both parties during the process of continuing to explore the Frisco Center for the Arts project. The Letter of Intent is non-binding and does not have a specific financial implication to the City.
Then in December 2024 the council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement based on the Request for Qualifications #2510-001 Frisco Center for the Arts Facility Concept Design to Pelli Clarke & Partners. These services will cost $385,000 in the amount of $385,000.
The scope will provide for the facility concept design of the Frisco Center for the Arts that will host a variety of events, including theater, concerts, dance performances, and community gatherings. The center will feature multiple performance spaces, including a Broadway-caliber main theater, a community hall, and flexible spaces for educational and community programming. The projected facility size is approximately 220,000 square feet, and will feature multiple performance spaces, including a 2,800-seat proscenium venue (Large Hall), and a flexible 300- to 400-seat community and education-focused courtyard venue (Community Hall). Funds are available through bond funds
2025 Steam Rolling Ahead
At the end of January at the CC Winter Work Session, Gena Buhler, Principal of Theatre Projects began a presentation updating Council on the status of the Frisco Center for the Arts. She began by explaining the partnerships of the project with the City of Frisco being the owner of the building, Prosper ISD as the educational partner, Broadway Across America and Broadway Dallas as the Broadway presenter, and the Venue Operator which is currently in negotiation. Ms. Buhler continued the presentation by reviewing Phase 2 of the project and the fundraising assessment results.
Gena Buhler then updated Council on partnership agreements with Prosper ISD, the Broadway presenting partner, and the operator selection process. Assistant City Manager E. A. Hoppe reviewed the Frisco model versus a venue management model. He emphasized the modified Frisco model, including the financial model which allows the operational partner to provide a moderate capital contribution.
Wes Pierson then explained the propositions that will be determined by the citizens of Frisco in a Bond Election in May 2025. City Attorney Ryan Pittman explained the ballot language and the public hearing process required prior to the Bond Election.
Proposition Language:
(1) authorizing the Frisco Economic Development Corporation to use proceeds of its sales and use tax, including all amounts previously authorized and collected, for projects related to the proposed Center for the Arts development project, including but not limited to, land, buildings, equipment, facilities and improvements found by the Frisco Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors to be required or suitable for use for the proposed Center for the Arts development project.
and (2) the issuance of bonds in the maximum amount of $160,000,000 for a City-owned performing arts facility, and levying taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds;
February 2025, public outcry began swiftly upon reading the propositions language. At the Feb 4 council meeting a presentation was for the public by Gena Buhler, Principal of Theatre Projects. Several residents including candidates running for city council came to speak against the use of EDC funds for the project. Jared Elad and Burt Thakur who are currently running for city council, and John Redmond, former candidate for council in 2024, spoke in opposition to Agenda Item #38. However, Josh Meek, candidate for council spoke in favor of Agenda Item #38.
The Council was in agreement to move forward with the proposed funding process and agreed on moving forward with the proposed location at US 380 and the Dallas North Tollway. They also agreed to move forward with the currently proposed modified Frisco Model for an Operator contract. When it came time for a vote it Passed Vote: 5 – 1 with Brian Livingston be the 1 against.
The next council update came on March 18th at a CC Work Session, E. A. Hoppe introduced Mitch Hirsch, Design Partner with Pelli Clarke & Partners, who gave a presentation updating Council on concept design. They described the steps taken to learn the culture and history of Frisco to best develop a concept design for the proposed facility.
Next Big Step: Letter Of Intent
On April 1, 2025 at the Frisco City Council Meeting, Agenda Item #26 was to consider and act upon award of Request for Proposal #2510-011 Frisco Center for the Arts Facility Operator to Frisco Live and authorizing the City Manager to finalize and execute a Letter of Intent related to these services.
In Fall 2024 the City of Frisco solicited a Request for Proposal (RFP) #2510-011 Frisco Center for the Arts (FCFA) Facility Operator, and received proposals on December 2, 2024, from Frisco Live (submitted as Frisco Arts Community Entertainment), Oak View Group, TVG Hospitality, and ASM Global Theater Management. Using the criteria listed in the RFP, the evaluation team consisting of representatives from City staff, Prosper ISD, and Theatre Projects consultants ranked Frisco Live as the top proposer.
The following requirements and expectations for management of the FCFA facility were established and included in the Request for Proposal included venue operations, programming and content management, education and workforce development, financial management, marketing, and Club & VIP Experience Management.
A week later the city held a special called meeting of the council to conduct a public hearing regarding Proposition A on the May 3, 2025, Election Ballot, and the City will inform the City’s residents of the cost and impact of the proposed Center for the Arts project that is the subject of Proposition A on the May 3, 2025, Election Ballot.
Well, that was a long road trip to take you on to understanding the nuts and bolts of the Frisco Center For The Arts. It’s is time to stretch our legs and tomorrow we are going to tell you about The Final Act which is what questions you should be asking beyond the Glitz and Glam of Broadway. What should you consider before voting for or against the propositions that could forever change Frisco?
If you hear “Frisco, Texas” what is the first thing that pops into your head? Is it the glitzy new PGA lifestyle we have? Maybe it’s The Frisco Star, oh wait, the Cowboys would need to win a game first. What about The Mix or Grand Park, our bad, those are not built yet. Soon to be new downtown in time for FIFA? Maybe it is none of those things! Maybe you are more pragmatic and think of the CROWN JEWEL … that we are the #1 Safest City, where nothing bad ever happens, or at least that is what the city wants you to believe.
Certainly nothing bad is happening behind the tinted windows of countless “massage” parlors scattered across town, right? Nope, in the city that proudly boasts its title as the #1 safest place to live, there’s absolutely no way anything shady could be going on. If it were, surely our vigilant city council and ever-watchful police force would be all over it, right? Because it’s not like they’d want anything to hurt that squeaky-clean image or anything…
Back in November we received an email tip from one resident who was concerned about the number of POP UP “Massage Parlors” and how they seem to be as popular as the fast-food restaurants on every corner. The resident noted that she went to pick up an RX late one evening and while sitting in her car waiting in line, she noticed a massage business with tinted windows and a scrolling open neon sign saying open until 11pm with men coming and going the whole time.
She felt something was off and was pretty sure illegal activities were happening there, but like many residents turned a blind eye. It was not until her neighbor mentioned something two days later about going there to get a massage and was turned away because they were “busy.” The neighbor noted that there were no cars near the place, and it didn’t make sense. That is when she told her neighbor about her concern and what she saw when picking up her RX earlier that week.
The next day the neighbor who had been refused service texted (still upset) saying she googled the business, and she was shocked when the phone number pulled up sex ads. She texted her screenshots which prompted her to go look it up too! After finding the shocking info she decided to file a report with Frisco PD they were supposed to send her a statement form to fill out but never did. After a few weeks of no response to her call and email, she reported it to us, and we started looking into it!
When you first google the name of the business Massage Aces it appears to be very reputable! It is located at 423 & Stonebrook Parkway behind the CVS Pharmacy. They had a link to their YouTube Channel which showed a nice video of a reputable massage business. A simple search of the business phone number just like the tipster said, brought us to a whole new world.
The business phone number on the website pops up on multiple “other” websites like bodyrubsmap, bedpage, skipthegames, and craigslist. The ads offer massages, sex, clean girls, escorts, and call girls which all link back to the business address 400 Stonebrook Pkwy, and the business phone number. Disturbing pictures of rather young girls in sexually provocative poses and clothing.
We were shocked that this was reported sometime in late October, and nothing was done until the middle of February 2025. The tipster forwarded us the email she sent to Frisco PD, leaving us wondering – what took so long to take action? How many other massage parlors are there in Frisco, just like this? We determined within one day of getting the tip this was a front for a lewd sexually oriented business. Just google the phone number that offers sex in their “CLEAN ROOMS” with “CLEAN GIRLS!” We are left wondering if the issue of being the safest city will be on John Keating’s political mayor when he tries to run for Mayor! Frisco…the home of human trafficking and exploited underage girls! Ladies check your husbands’ receipts, if you see Massage Aces or Sandy Spa, it might be time to talk with them.
Our biggest concern is the safety of these young women being trafficked, the fact that it is 1/2 mile from our schools and backs up to our neighborhoods. At least we can assure you as of this week Frisco PD, Code Enforcement, or Building Inspections did stop by, and the business has a big “red tag” on the door! It was done with little fanfare, not to attract attention to it. The notice is for an “occupancy issue” under the new name Sandy Spa. The red tag notes it is a “sexually oriented business” and closed until further notice. Wouldn’t you like to know what the city and/or Frisco PD did to protect these women? Our guess is not much in hopes of quietly moving them to another city so it’s “not in our #1 backyard!”
Goodbye, 2024, you chaotic overachiever, and hello 2025! Like every New Year, we dive in headfirst and pretend that turning the page in our calendar will suddenly fix our lives! We treat each year like a shiny new model, but are we expecting too much? Gym memberships rise, and vision boards are crafted, and plastered with our new year’s resolutions. Really those “visions” are like drunk promises we know we won’t keep.
By day three or four, we are tired of eating Kale and wish we had the holiday cookies still left in our pantry. One thing that never changes with each new year is that we know whatever promises or commitments we made in good faith will most likely never be met because they are just one of those New Year’s resolutions that fall by the wayside. Cheers to the illusion of change!
As we enter the new year one would hope our City Council members had an epiphany to put the community first over their own self-interests. Soon we will know because a new year also means a new city council election and guess what, it is right around the corner. The first day to file for a place on the ballot is January 15th and the last day to file for a place on the ballot is February 14th. Time will fly and soon it will be April 22nd, the first day to early vote. All of it will come to a close on election day which is May 3rd.
From now through election time, you can expect to hear how the candidates or incumbents will be transparent and represent you the residents. We will hear the same old tired-out slogans such as “We are the #1 this and the #1 that.” You can bet money the incumbents will talk about how “we are the #1 Safest City” and how they have a personal stakeholder position in making that happen. It leaves us wondering if residents will open their eyes to the fact that the city manipulates what we “need to know” versus the truth of what is happening around us! Remember John “Cheating” Keating (who hopes to be our next Mayor) threw the #1, #1, #1 in our face over and over during his election.
Even high-profile NFL athletes are not exempt from being the victims of crime. By now you have heard about the burglaries targeting the homes of NFL players, including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Recently, local DFW news stations reported that on December 27th in the affluent upscale Preston Hollow neighborhood, the home of Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic was broken into. Reports say the thieves got away with $30,000 worth of jewelry. The FBI has gone as far as to warn the NFL and NBA that players need to increase the security of their homes when they are away playing, and they believe they have connected these burglaries to a “transnational South American theft group.”
The good thing is we can rest easy here in Frisco! We are the #1 SAFEST CITY! That means it would never happen here, right? One might think since Frisco is known as Sports City USA, we could be a target! If something like that happened here, surely the city and Frisco PD would put out a crime alert to warn the residents of Frisco. It would have made the local news stations just like Luca Doncic home break-in. Frisco has several affluent neighborhoods, filled with high-profile players, and I am sure their neighbors would want to know if that happened in their community.
FWB received a tip over the holiday break that it did happen here! In fact, based on the police report, the home burglary took place in our very own affluent community of Stonebriar Country Club. According to one website, residents of SCC enjoy a wealth of amenities in the exclusive guard-gated community that epitomizes luxury with elegant homes and a lifestyle of unparalleled sophistication and tranquility. Residents should know they are not exempt from this kind of potential danger.
When did this happen? November 28th just after Thanksgiving, during the Dallas Cowboys game against the New York Giants at AT&T stadium. The home game started at 4:30 pm and the report states the crime was committed 11/28/24 between the times of 15:05 (3:05 pm) and 20:44 (8:44 pm). Ken Wang is listed as the case officer and the Incident Report number is 24143447. The offense code is listed as Burglary of Habitation. The Frisco Police Report states 8 watches totaling $550,000 along with 2 purses totaling $100,000 were stolen. The remarks state unknown suspect forced entry into a home and stole $700,000 worth of miscellaneous jewelry. Luca Doncic got off easy!
To protect the NFL player, we are not going to release his name or address because his family has been through enough! We can tell you we googled the address, and we were surprised to see it on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. One would assume that Realtors who handle multi-million-dollar listings like this would remove the photos once the listing is sold. The images on the Douglas Elliman listing, show the whole home, and the location and access points of the home. Douglas Elliman is a well-known, respected real estate brokerage which is why we are a little surprised the listing agent did not remove the photos after selling it. We are curious if those images could have helped the criminals figure out how to access the home.
I asked my neighbor, a Frisco Realtor if agents usually remove high-end listing photos after a sale. He said that good Realtors are usually proactive and to protect the privacy of both parties after a sale, they request removal of the images on luxury listings. He also told us while the listing agent can request the removal of photos after a home has been sold, there is no guarantee a third-party website will take them down. I asked him how an owner could request the images be removed and he told me owners can google how to remove the pictures of your home from real estate websites and each one has step-by-step instructions on how a homeowner can remove them.
Residents of Frisco had the right to know about a burglary of a habitation where over $700,000 worth of valuables were stolen in our opinion. Frisco PD could have withheld the player’s name and address but a warning to the community. How is it, that every other high-end pro-athlete burglary made the news, and this one didn’t? Did Frisco PD ask the FBI if this could be related to the other high-end thefts? How come we never heard about this burglary on the news?
The city does not point out we are a safe city, they always say we are the #1 safest city and to be honest, it does not feel very safe here anymore. We have had more crimes, shootings, and God knows what else because leaders manipulate want, they want to share so it fits their narrative. Just like they manipulated the sales presentation of Universal Kids. After it passed, residents learned everything they promised changed from the height of rides, the traffic congestion they claim will not happen, and the times the theme park would be open. In Frisco, the NFL stands for Navigating Frisco Lies!
There is a magical art behind asking for something you want and then getting it! I read an essay many years ago that talked about how culturally it was not always the norm to ask directly for what you want and when we do, we are usually bad at it. People tend to hem and haw and often walk away from asking because we cannot clearly articulate the message. For example, many are uncomfortable asking their boss for a raise or salary bump.
Persuasion tactics are strategies that can help you convince people to see things your way and being good using these tactics is usually an art form. To be good, or to be great you must first know exactly what you want and what you need others to “buy in” to. Second you must ground yourself in why you are doing it and make sure it resonates with you so you can “sell it from the heart.” Third, you must be able to state clearly and with no confusion what you are asking for or trying to sell to the people. It must be direct, clear and specific. Lastly, you must be selective and targeted about who you ask or when you announce it.
In Frisco, one man is very good at Persuasion Tactics and his name is Mayor Jeff Cheney. When he “wants” something in Cheneyville, well he gets it! He is very good at “telling you” what you want versus “asking” residents what they want. For example, he has put together his team and he has been gathering his clan of supporters to push for the Performing Arts Centre. When he hit a no with the public/private partnership with the school district and Hall Group, he didn’t stop. Nope, he just changed course and came back at it again with his little clan in toe. Next thing you know he will get what he wants, residents will bitch, and no one knows the wiser of how we ended up here.
The talk of a Performing Arts Centre is not new, but what is new is we are curious “How much has this cost taxpayers?” The city has spent $1.6+ million on the current Theatre Projects assessment or feasibility study, but how many others have we done in the past? What were the costs to taxpayers in the previous studies? Why are we doing so many studies? When it comes to wanting studies and assessments what is the magic number of how many we will do before we say enough is enough? We did some research, and this is what we found:
Feb 17, 2015: Under the consent agenda for the city council meeting item 17 reads, “Consider and act upon approval of publishing a RFQ for the development and implementation of a study to examine the feasibility of a performing/theatre arts facility within the corporate limits of the City of Frisco.” We looked high and low and could not determine how much any of this cost. We could not even find the RFQ they approved to publish.
2015: Frisco Association of the Arts commissioned a “Facility Programming Report” by Page Southerland Page. According to the minutes for the Citizens Bond Committee on 01/26/2015, Tammy Meinershagen provided an update that a feasibility group has been identified to conduct a study for the PAC in Frisco. She went on to say it would take about six (6) months to complete the study and has an estimated cost of $200,000 dollars.
2018: The City of Frisco commissioned a “Needs Assessment” by Webb Management Services and Parkhill Smith & Cooper (PSC). According to a Community Impact article, the study showed there 14 performing arts groups that have 667 days of demand for performance facilities in Frisco. According to the study, the majority of this demand—466 days—calls for a facility with 225 to 500 seats while 177 days of demand calls for a facility of 1,001 to 1,750 seats. At the June 2018 Council Summer Work session, PSC Associate Michael Howard presented the findings and told the council there is not enough capacity in Frisco right now. At that time Cheney told Community Impact that “it was council’s preference to use available bond funds to build a 300- to 500-seat facility to meet the current demand of community arts groups with the hope of working with a private partner to build a larger performing arts center.” Of course, Cheney always changes his tune later! The CI article goes on to say the Councils “Performing Arts Committee is in the middle of a feasibility study to determine the size and needs of a potential PAC.” HOW MUCH DID IT COST – We don’t know! We can’t find anywhere in an agenda search where this shows up from 2017 to 2019.
August 2020: Frisco ISD commissioned a “Programming Report” by Schuler Shook. We can’t determine how much this one cost our ISD Taxpayers either. We have sent a PIR asking for that information.
October 2020: The City of Frisco and Frisco ISD commissioned a “Feasibility Report” by Garfield Public Private and Schuler Shook. Well Shocker – we cannot find anywhere what this one cost taxpayers either!
September 2021: Frisco Arts Foundation commissioned a “Market & Feasibility Study” by Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc. We cannot find out how much this one cost either. However, we are guessing since each year the city “FUNDS” the FAA through Hotel/Motel Fund somehow Taxpayers still paid for it.
May 2022: City of Frisco, Frisco ISD, and Hall Group commissioned a “Space Analysis Narrative by Corgan + Studio Gang. In February of 2022 the city council authorized an agreement for services in the amount of $175,000 dollars. Remember in late June of 2021, the city and Frisco ISD entered a public-private partnership with developer Craig Hall to construct a $67 million performing arts center. The city has agreed to contribute $14 million in voter-approved bond money, while Frisco ISD will contribute $43 million from the 2018 bond package, and Hall will contribute $10 million. Remember this is the one that “FELL APART” and truly if the city had wanted a PAC would have been the best option for everyone involved but we have learned from city insiders that “to many chiefs got involved” which caused the band to break up.
July 2022: Hall Group commissioned and performed a “Proposal and Outline” and we could not find out what the cost of this study was.
January 2023: The City of Frisco commissioned and executed an agreement with Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc., for consulting services related to a performing arts venue in the amount of $99,300 which was to be paid for by Bond Funds
September 2023: The City of Frisco commissioned part two of the agreement with Theatre Projects Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $1,415,500 dollars. Recently in 2024 after some CLARITY they Upp’d that amount to $1.6 million as we told you in our last article.
We did learn a few interesting facts along this deep dive…
According to the Dallas Morning News, “Frisco leaders also launched the HEARTS Project initiative — an acronym for Hall, Education and the Arts — to crowdsource an additional $100 million in donations for auxiliary upgrades. The amenities could include a large video screen facing The Star in Frisco, box suites, a VIP arts club with membership benefits, Frisco summer musicals, and a restaurant or bistro, according to the campaign website, but would not contribute to additional seating.” The 2021 article went on to say that “although city officials have previously said the center could host professional performances, the petition states that the limited seating capacity is too small for consideration by Touring Broadway. Experts recommend between 1,750 and 2,000 seats, according to the petition, which cited Theatre Projects’ market assessment and feasibility study for Frisco.
Next, we found it interesting just a few years ago in 2021 Frisco ISD had committed $43 million from a 2018 bond package and now they are back in 2024 asking voters to VOTE FOR the new 1-billion-dollar bond because they are broken penniless poppers! Just a few years later, they are begging for us to vote in favor of the bonds so the Frisco Kids can have an 11,000,000-tennis center.
We also learned Keating was a huge fan of the arts from a 2018 article in Lifestyle Frisco. He is quoted as saying Deputy Mayor Pro Tem John Keating said, “This is our chance to blow it out of the water, Frisco style!” Remember, Keatings motto in his last re-election we are #1 this, #1 that, #1 here, #1 there! Now he is closing on his house in The Preserve at Fields the #1 most exclusive community in King Cheney’s Frisco.
In closing, the city has buried how much these things cost deep in agendas, under nicknames and code words, hoping that you or I will give up looking. We did but what we can tell you with the most recent study in 2023 plus the other three we are at about $2 million alone in just “STUDIES, ASSESSMENTS, ANALYSIS” done for a Performing Arts Center. That means we are going to keep paying money for these via the bonds, hotel/motel tax fund, or something else until King Cheney gets his Performing Arts Center. You can bet little pretty Princess Tammy will be right next to him the whole way. Trailing behind will be their wingman “John “The Infamous Cheating” Keating.
Diving into all this has taken a lot more time than we expected and unless you understand the arts and all these studies it is a bunch of well-pitched jargon crap to confuse the residents of Frisco. We will continue our deep dive into this because we know the city is about to hit us with a bond. It will be through the City or the secret weapon “THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD”. Just wait and see…. the EDC will make the pitch because the city has been called out.
The other day I was reading an article about the most common 6 phrases people say to gaslight and manipulate you. What is gaslighting? It is a manipulation tactic often wielded by emotional disruptive abusers and is insidious in nature making it hard for a person to recognize the tactic is happening. What happens when someone tries to gaslight you?
Gradually you begin to question your own judgement, memories, feelings and questioning reality. The article quoted therapist Shannon Thomas who stated that “people who cannot authentically argue their point of view or stand behind their words turn to gaslighting as a tool.” She went on to say ’they resort to confusion creating tactics, and that it really is a true sign of character weakness.”
It made me think back to our recent elections and the mixed messaging the city tried to sell to citizens while attacking our Frisco Firefighters relentlessly while also saying they support our first responders and dedicate at least ½ our annual budget to public safety. They also attacked and tried to destroy the reputation of Former Fire Chief, Mark Piland by saying he was the problem and the reason for the low morale. The solution, to make Lee Glover, the new “SAVING GRACE” Fire Chief. Based on the In-Service notes we have reviewed, the city may have failed “BIG TIME” and the leader driving the bus is our very own City Manager, Wes Pierson!
After the election was over there was a large disdain between our Fire Department and the city so they planned a weeklong set of In-Service Meetings, aka “Healing Sessions” to listen to the firefighters’ concerns. We filed a PIR for anything related to those meetings and after reading the 50+ page report of notes one thing became very clear, the city council knowingly and repeatedly lied to citizens during the election.
Example 1: The Vote No PAC, funded by Frisco Developers, and run by Mayor Pro Tem Bill Woodard
Councilman Woodard was interviewed by Jack Fink with CBS Texas and when asked why the Fire Fighters were bringing the propositions to the ballot, he specifically said due to the “FORMER LEADERSHIP” of the department, referring to Former Fire Chief Mark Piland. We assumed we would see some of those issues noted in this 50+ page report, however only 2 comments were made, which is one the environment is a little more relaxed now (uniforms) and that Piland may have tended to over communicate to the department.
However, they had a lot to say about the current Fire Chief, Lee Glover. When it comes to budgeting and purchasing new equipment, they feel the Chief Glover is out of touch with today’s firefighting tactics. Firefighters said Glovers’ only tactic since arriving has been cost cutting measures to look good to the City Manager’s Office and council and that means he his neglecting his duty to his command.
Remember the Blood Program, otherwise known as which was carried by the Squad Unit? Refresh your memory by reading our older articles “Another One Bites The Dust” and “Make It Look Pretty.” At the time Councilman Woodard was the “city mouthpiece” across social media supporting Glover’s decision to end the Squad program and transfer the blood program to two battalion chief vehicles. The report talks about Glover’s cost cutting measures and how the firefighters believe removing the Squad Unit and transferring the Blood Program was a huge failure as it took away two extra working people on calls and losing the expertise of the Squad members could be and will be deadly to citizens.
What is the end result of the firefighter’s statement above about their concerns with Glover being out of touch with today’s firefighting tactics? Chief Glover has cut valid programs, training and they believe he is purchasing the wrong equipment. Glover has also de-incentivized training under his command, and today they have less training which is dangerous. Courses and training are required for promotions to the next rank and other departments pay for employees to attend training, but Glover is telling his command to “put stock in your own training.” As for equipment, Glover is buying more Quints -the big bulky fire trucks of the old days, which are hard to get around the neighborhood’s tight and crowded streets. The firefighters prefer more engines and tillers. We are told engines are quicker and shorter in size making them a better choice. We are also told the tillers are an advantageous truck because they can go anywhere, carries more tools and is quicker to vent with 107’ ladder.
Are we done yet? Oh no, we are just getting started! There is so much to go over that we are going to break it up into multiple articles this week. Tonight, we leave you with three questions:
1. Why is the City Council and City Manager gaslighting residents into believing all of these issues are due to Former Fire Chief Piland who was endorsed by the Frisco Firefighters Assocation this year during the election?
2. Why is the City Council and City Manager gaslighting residents into thinking the problem is our Fire Association, who they called Greedy Bastards, power hungry and lazy during the election?
3. Why is the City Council and City Manager dying on a sharp sword for Fire Chief Lee Glover who in all respects to his command his nowhere to be found and neglecting his duty to his command?
We leave you with a strong remark in the In-Service notes which we stated above, “Firefighters believe Glover’s only goal is to look good to the City Manager’s Office and City Council which results in him neglecting his duty to his command.” ….. come back tomorrow for part two
UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE MADE CORRECTIONS TO OUR ARTICLE BASED ON MORE DETAILS RECEIVED. CORRECTIONS CAN BE NOTED IN RED OR WITH A STRIKETHROUGH MARK.
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