Frisco downtown revitalization aims to be ready in time for World Cup

From infrastructure projects to a plaza and parking garage, transformation of Frisco’s downtown Rail District is underway, and city officials say it will be complete in time for the 2026 World Cup.

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said he believes no world-class city is complete without a great downtown.

“It’s the heart and soul of the community, Cheney previously told The Dallas Morning News.

During a recent City Council work session, renderings were released that showed walkable areas with wider sidewalks, trees and planters, seating areas under shade structures, fire pits and a plaza with an entertainment stage.

To offer more information, city officials have scheduled an open house from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Dec. 7, at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce offices, 6843 Main St.

Brodigan said the $63 million project includes four sections — Elm Street, Main Street, 4th Street Plaza and the parking garage.

The first phase, reconstruction of Elm Street, is expected to wrap up by the end of the year, according to a city web page dedicated to the project. This project includes traffic signal improvements on 5th and Elm streets, street lighting, sidewalks and parallel parking areas.

Main Street construction, which is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024 and take about two years to complete, will include removing parking spaces and widening sidewalks, replacing paving and improving traffic signals on Main Street and S. County Road.

The 4th Street Plaza, which will be a community gathering space and a pedestrian connection between Elm and Main streets, is in the design phase and is expected to be finished in April 2026. Construction on the downtown parking garage is expected to begin in August 2024 and be finished in July 2025.

Frisco’s Development Services Department hired the Velocity Group to gather feedback from residents and downtown merchants about what they want for the downtown area.

Cheney said city officials learned a lot in 2022 during a leadership trip to Cary, N.C., and are using ideas developed there to help form the city’s downtown vision.

“They call their downtown area their 20-year overnight success story,” he said. “And we’re kind of following in their footsteps.”