The developer behind the McKinney Cotton Mill is requesting $13.6M in city-backed funding to help redevelop the area just southeast of downtown.

The request was presented to the McKinney Community Development Corporation and would go toward infrastructure like roads, utilities, and public spaces.

The vision spans roughly 30 acres and could bring a mix of restaurants, retail, green space, event venues, and potentially a boutique hotel, turning the historic site into a more active destination.

The project is still in early stages, and no funding decision has been made yet. (Source: McKinney Community Development Corporation, April 23)

Uptown Cheapskate is opening in McKinney with a perk-packed launch: gifts for the first 30 customers, early access at 9AM for VIP insiders, and hidden store credit including a $100 golden ticket up for grabs. You can shop pre-loved clothing, shoes, and accessories from popular brands for both men and women. Also, Uptown is already buying clothes.
Opening Apr 30 | 2414 W University Drive, Ste 115

The Hawaiian plate lunch spot that already has fans lining up on South Custer is opening a second McKinney location - this time in north McKinney on W. University Drive. State permits filed in March show a build-out running September through December, putting the opening likely in early 2027. Think teriyaki chicken, kalua pig, katsu chicken, and that macaroni salad people can't stop talking about. If you've been driving south for your plate lunch fix, your commute just got shorter.
Opening date TBA | Mo’Bettahs, 4070 W. University Dr., Suite 100

India Bazaar is celebrating its McKinney grand opening with a full-on festival vibe, featuring freebies, a raffle for shoppers spending $100+, and limited gifts for the first 100 customers. Expect live food stations like pani puri, fresh sugarcane juice, coconut water, plus popcorn, cotton candy, and kids activities on weekends.
Apr 16–26 grand opening days | 6701 Collin McKinney Pkwy

The city is rethinking how developers pay park fees, after some homeowners faced massive costs (up to ~$20k per home) in older neighborhoods. Council is exploring simpler, more predictable options like:

The goal: make redevelopment fairer without losing funding for parks.
(Source: McKinney City Council Work Session)

Residents pitched installing a “baby box” at a fire station, allowing parents to safely and anonymously surrender newborns. The system alerts first responders within minutes and has already been used in nearby cities. No decision yet, but the idea is now on the city’s radar. (Source: McKinney City Council Meeting)

🧬 Genealogy Help Session at Senior Rec Center
One-on-one guidance to help you trace your family history or get started from scratch. Who knows what you’ll uncover.
Senior Recreation Center, 1400 S College St, 2:15–4:30PM (Free, registration required)

🎬 Monday Night Movie Night at Towne Lake
A cozy, low-key movie night with snacks and an easygoing vibe. Perfect way to ease into the week without overthinking it. Reel good start to Monday.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 2001 Central Expy, 6–8PM (Free)

🀄 Mahjong in Full Bloom at Bob’s Steak & Chop House
An elevated Mahjong night with cocktails, curated bites, and a social vibe for experienced players. Tiles, drinks, and a little friendly competition. Play your cards right.
Bob’s Steak & Chop House, 7220 State Hwy 121, 6–8:30PM ($36)

♟️ Chess Tournament at Towne Lake
Swiss-style tournament with multiple age divisions and 4–5 games per player. Play smart, think ahead, and see if you can checkmate the competition.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 2001 Central Expy, 4:45–7:15PM (residents $25, non-residents $25)

🍷 Wine & Cheese + Charcuterie Pairing Class
Five wines, five pairings, and a guided tasting that actually teaches you what goes with what. A perfect date night with your partner?
Lone Star Winery, 103 E Virginia St Ste 100, 7–8:30PM ($47)

😂 The Yes, And Improv Jam at The Comedy Arena
A casual improv night where anyone can jump in or just sit back and enjoy. Low pressure, lots of laughs, and no one’s forced on stage. Yes, and… why not.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St, 7PM ($5–$15, 2-item minimum)

🧘 Mat Pilates with Stephanie Sifuentes at MillHouse
A balanced class combining core-focused Pilates with restorative stretching to leave you feeling strong, loose, and reset. Midweek glow-up.
MillHouse (Suite 1000), 610 Elm St, 10:30–11:30AM ($15)

🎶 Brian Bertrand Live at Harvest
Acoustic set blending originals with classic rock, folk, and country favorites you don’t hear every day. Familiar songs, fresh feel.
Harvest at the Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St, 6:30–9:30PM (Free)

📚 Chapters Uncorked: Book Club Live at Lone Star
Sip wine and chat about The Mostly True Story of Tanner + Louise in this relaxed, come-as-you-are book club. Read, sip, repeat.
Lone Star Winery, 103 E Virginia St Ste 100, 7–8:30PM (Free, RSVP required)

🃏 Euchre Tournament at Barro’s Pizza
Fast-paced card action with a $5 buy-in and cash prizes for the top players. New faces welcome - just don’t get stuck dealing.
Barro’s Pizza, 2730 S Central Expy, 7–9PM (Free entry, $5 to play)

🎶 Storyteller Sessions w/ Jeff, Gretchen & Colby Live at Lone Star
An intimate acoustic night blending folk, pop, and country with rich harmonies and the stories behind the songs. Easy listening, deeper connection.
Lone Star Winery, 103 E Virginia St Ste 100, 6–8PM (Free)

🎶 Jett Platt Live at Harvest
One-man-band energy with guitar, piano, and live looping, covering everything from country and rock to pop and Rat Pack favorites. Versatile, upbeat, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St, 6:30–9:30PM (Free)

🎨 Community Art History Session #7 at Bevel House
Explore famous works you can actually see in DFW, from Picasso to Monet, with insights that’ll level up how you look at art. Smart, social, and surprisingly fun. Brush up.
Bevel House, 405 S Chestnut St, 7–8:30PM (single $30, couple $50)

🎶 Krazy Deyci Live at the Lion & Crown
An international duo bringing upbeat energy, crowd favorites, and a set made for singing along. Good vibes, guaranteed.
The Lion & Crown, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy Ste 1600, 7–9PM (Free)

😂 The Sandbox: A Comedy Experiment at The Comedy Arena
A fast-moving mix of stand-up, improv, and offbeat ideas where performers test new material live. Some hits, some chaos - that’s the whole point. Playgrounds aren’t supposed to be predictable.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St, 7:30PM ($5 online, 2-item minimum)

Before highways, the route that would become U.S. Highway 75 was little more than a regional dirt road connecting small North Texas towns. In the 1920s, it was designated as part of the U.S. Highway System, and by the 1940s–50s, the Texas Highway Department had paved and expanded it into a reliable north–south route linking McKinney to Dallas.

The biggest transformation came in the 1960s and 70s, when sections were upgraded into a divided highway and eventually an expressway to handle growing traffic. For McKinney residents, this was a turning point. What used to be a slow, rural drive became a practical daily commute, opening the door for suburban growth as more people began living in McKinney and working in Plano & Dallas.

Today, Highway 75 - better known as Central Expressway - is one of the busiest corridors in North Texas - often congested, but still essential. It’s no longer just a connector between towns; it’s the backbone of McKinney’s growth, shaping everything from where businesses locate to how the city continues to expand.

Mon: 🌥️ Breezy, humid & very warm, high 91°F
Tue: ⛈️ Storms likely in the afternoon, high 82°F
Wed: 🌧️ Chance of morning showers, cooler, high 72°F
Thu: 🌧️ Cloudy with showers, cooler, high 64°F

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