For more than 160 years, Historic Downtown McKinney has been the hub of the community.  Now after years of reinvention and a recent renovation, it’s still a thriving center of activity. 

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The city recently invested $2.2 million to update the downtown area, adding landscaping and lighting, building benches, widening sidewalks and increasing parting.

“Historic Downtown really is the soul of the city, and we need to protect and preserve what makes it so special,” says Ty Lake, McKinney Main Street Program Director.  “The recent improvements have made the everyday shopping dining experience, as well as the many events we hold downtown, even better.”

The mix of residential and commercial tenants continues to grow, with more than 120 businesses like clothing stores, art galleries, specialty gift shops antique shops, law firms, wineries and restaurants calling historic downtown McKinney home.  Many downtown eateries now offer patio dining thanks to the upgrades.  And outdoor dining is a great option on nights before a show at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, housed in the square’s historic courthouse.
 

“Downtown truly is the heart of our growing city.  It holds our city’s beginnings and reflects the path we are taking while staying true to our roots.  The area is responsible, in great part, for helping to maintain the small town charm in our fast-growth community,” says City Manager Frank Ragan.  “Not only can you find locally owned, one-of-a-kind shopping, arts and dining downtown, but when you visit, you feel right at home surrounded by a warm and inviting atmosphere that can’t be replicated.”

One issue city leaders have set their sight on addressing is the historic downtown’s limited parking.  Demand for space continues to increase, yet the historic layout of downtown currently limits parking to spaces mostly outside of the square.  But that will improve as the city considers adding more spaces and possibly building a parking garage close to the square in the future.

Thousands of McKinney residents and visitors flock to downtown for annual events such as Scare on the Square for Halloween, Oktoberfest, the Krew of Barkus Mardi Gras dog parade and the annual 29 –year favorite Dickens of a Christmas.

To help provide financial support for the events, most of which are free to the public, McKinney Main Street announced a new membership program called Friends of Main Street.  Members of Friends of Main Street will not only support the popular community events, but they will also receive a free monthly newsletter and regular specials offered by downtown merchants.  Membership levels are tailored to individuals, families and businesses.

Among the ongoing events downtown, the weekly McKinney Farmers Market held Saturday mornings through October at the Chestnut Square historic village draws shoppers in search of fresh, local and organic produce, eggs, cheeses and meets.  This year, the market also added vendors selling sauces, baked goods, flowers and plants.  Local farmers and other vendors set up shop on the square, in front of the very same buildings where residents shopped a century ago.

“The farmers who come here grow their produce organically just like generations of farmers did in the old days,” says Todd Moore, who sells artisan dairy products under the Lucky Layla Farms brand at the market, located 315 S. Chestnut Street.

As published in The Dallas Morning News

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