Opening of Frisco’s downtown 4th Street Plaza delayed
Frisco’s 4th Street Plaza downtown will no longer open in time for what the city expects will be a surge of visitors drawn by World Cup matches in Arlington.
Read more Man killed in shooting near north Oak Cliff, Kessler Stevens identified
The plaza spans about 1.5 acres and will include a performance stage, outdoor seating, a public restroom and shaded paths to guide visitors from Main or Elm streets into the plaza.
“It’s the main living room of the entire Rail District,” Ricardo Sanchez, capital projects manager for the city’s parks department, said in a video about the project last year.
The city had planned a grand opening for Frisco’s redeveloped downtown for June 20, but complexities with the design of the shade infrastructure the city is building over the 4th Street Plaza have delayed that celebration.
“We are disappointed that we didn’t meet that date,” Jason Brodigan, director of engineering services for the city, said at a City Council meeting last week. “The idea … was to get everything done for the World Cup.”
Don’t let Google decide who you trust.
Related: In Frisco, residents eagerly await June completion of the downtown Rail District
Construction on the plaza began September 2024, according to the city’s website. The plaza is part of a broader effort to make Frisco’s historic downtown a walkable district that can host outdoor performances. The redeveloped area, dubbed the Rail District, includes rail-themed design elements and is a nod to the city’s past as a stop along the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. Restaurants and businesses in the district are open, although some construction is being wrapped up.
Read more Texas appeals Edward Busby’s stay of execution on grounds of intellectual disability
In addition to the plaza, the $80 million redevelopment included widening sidewalks, replacing the stormwater system on Main Street and constructing a five-level garage that will accommodate about 450 vehicles. Brodigan said the city prioritized completing work on Main Street and the parking garage.
“We did end up sacrificing …the schedule of the plaza,” Brodigan said.
Catch up on the latest news and top stories from across North Texas, with updates in the morning and evening.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
No events related to the World Cup had been planned for the plaza, Brodigan said. The city will host watch parties for 97 matches at Simpson Plaza in front of Frisco City Hall, in partnership with FC Dallas, the Major League Soccer team headquartered in the city.
Mayor Jeff Cheney said the city wants to make sure the project, which was initiated about a decade ago, is unveiled when it’s “perfect,” though the City Council had hoped it might be ready in time for the World Cup.
“It’s been a long project,” Cheney said. “We want to make sure it finishes correctly.”
Read more Man, 28, identified as person who died following shooting in east Oak Cliff
