An urban center is a designated area specifically attempting to combine a variety of uses. It is a pedestrian friendly neighborhood that offers employment, housing, cultural opportunities, shopping, and a variety of dining experiences. Currently, we have two prominent urban centers in Plano. Downtown Plano is one and Legacy Town Center (Uptown Plano) is the other. They truly accentuate the diversity of the city. Although both are urban centers, they are distinctly different. Downtown offers a quaint setting with amenities like Haggard Park, antique shops, the Interurban Railway Museum, a historic district, restaurants, and apartments and town homes nearby. We are well aware that we have tremendous opportunities to help Downtown become something even more special. On the other hand, Uptown has a modern feel with trendy restaurants, retail stores, hotels, housing options, a lake and dare I mention...a fountain soon. (I could not resist throwing that in!) Both places offer different entertainment venues for a diverse range of citizens.

As I look into my crystal ball, I see Plano remaining a thriving suburb. Like all good things, we must exercise a degree of restraint as we consider additional urban centers. It is imperative that we maintain the fabric of what makes Plano such a desirable place to live. Therefore, we will explore places in the city that offer chances to create something special. The Transition and Revitalization Commission has identified two such locations -- the four corners of Park and Preston, and the Collin Creek Mall Corridor. Once completed, the Park & Preston corners would be over 300 acres and would represent the largest urban center within the city boundaries. Both locations have challenges, such as multiple owners, various stakeholders with different visions, and identifying the proper funding sources.

Increase of our housing stock supply is an obvious benefit. We will create more property for our tax roll. We would also benefit from the infusion of more people in our city limits who would tend to work, shop and play where they live. That translates to additional sales tax revenues. As an added bonus, the creation of pedestrian centers lends itself to a healthier lifestyle. Studies tell us many of our maturing citizens have a desire for such environments. In addition, urban centers will infuse a younger work force into our city limits. Today, we live in an information-based economy where the working world places great value on highly educated and highly skilled employees. These young professionals seek to live and work in vibrant areas with an abundance of cultural and recreational amenities.

We will judiciously explore the opportunities to create urban centers while making sure we keep the city Plain Ole Plano. Let’s be open to the possibilities.