A redesigned system for the Trinity Metro Bus is set to operate on September 5 according to a Fort Worth Texas article from August 12. They state,

“Trinity Metro will roll out its newly redesigned bus system with more frequency, extended hours and better customer options on Sunday, Sept. 5.

Known as A Better Connection, the redesign will offer customers more direct routes that reach their destination without having to go through downtown.”

The new system’s schedule was posted in a Community Impact News article. The schedule shows the much more organized and improved system that will be implemented. Verily, the system’s changes will prove to provide more access and options to the customers who have given their insights and inputs as data for the company to develop this new system.  the needed data to produce the new system.  

Trinity Metro’s article laid out the overall highlights set to take place in September. 

“Increased frequency

• Route 4 East Rosedale and Route 6 8th Ave/McCart will increase service to every 15 minutes.
• Within 1/4-mile of high-frequency transit:
  • 44,500 more people in 15,100 more households
  • 25,100 more jobs
• 7 hospitals, 40 schools, and 1 college campus

 

More Sunday service

• 7 route segments with new Sunday service
• Serving 25,600 more people in 9,300 more households
• Providing access to 9,600 more jobs
• Serving 4 hospitals and 1 college campus
• Later service (until between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.)

 

12 route segments with later service

• Serving 27,400 more people in 23,100 more households
• Providing access to 23,100 more jobs
• Serving 4 hospitals and 2 colleges
• Streamlined services

 

Better crosstown connectivity with 14 routes combined into 8 longer routes

• Another 13 routes adjusted for faster and more direct service.
• Overall, 8 fewer routes because of system simplification.”

 

The changes in the transportation system by the Trinity Metro will dramatically relax commuters and workers alike because the additional frequency, hours, and routes are convenient and accommodating. Notably, while the pandemic crisis is ongoing, it is a relief to know that there are still improvements happening to make life easier.

The Community Awareness Night is already set this weekend with additional reminders to follow Covid-19 protocols according to a Dallas Morning News article from August 5. In it they say:

“Frisco is bringing back its annual citywide block party for residents to gather with neighbors and nearby friends after canceling last year’s event as a result of the pandemic.

Any neighborhood or community can participate in the block part but must register online by Saturday evening. Additionally, they can request a visit from Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, a local police officer or firefighter, or a city council member.”

An article on Frisco Police Department’s website posted the brief history of Community Awareness Night,

“In 2013, Frisco CAN was launched as a local version of National Night Out. During this event, our residents are encouraged to host block parties and similar get-togethers, using them to get to know each other better, all the while making their neighborhoods safer.”

However, some people are wary of the idea of a block party in the midst of a Covid-19 resurge. A man tweeted a reply on the Dallas Morning News article,

“Sure. That will slow down the Delta variant’s spread.”

Another tweeted,

“What I read: Frisco is bringing back potentially more Delta Variant cases next weekend.”

The Frisco Police Department provided the block party’s form where several guidelines were laid out to help people prepare for their block party. Provided that,

“Time for the party should be limited to 3 hours.

You must include an estimate of the number of attendees.

Only cones may be used to block streets and they may be picked up from public works.
Please be aware that all City of Frisco Ordinances and current State Mandates shall be enforced. Subjects shall comply with CDC, State and Local Guidelines related to Covid-19.”

While the intention of Frisco’s annual CAN is to connect and make the neighborhood safer, it is still advisable to follow the guidelines and protocols related to Covid-19 as there is indeed a growing situation with the number of Covid-19 cases.

Frisco officials approved of a partnership to bring a new performing arts center to Hall park according to a Community Impact article from June 1st. In it they say: 

“Frisco officials on June 1 entered into an agreement between fellow public entities and developer Craig Hall for the construction of several facilities at Hall Park, including a performing arts center, a parking garage and a roughly 5-acre park.

Fellow public partners of the city include Frisco ISD, the Frisco Community Development Corporation and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation. Development from this agreement includes a $66 million performing arts center with at least 1,250 seats in a main performance hall, and at least 250 seats in a community venue, according to a memo prepared for Frisco City Council by city staff.”

More than the cost of the center, periphery structures will also add to the overall cost of the project according to another Community Impact article from June 1st. In it they say: 

“In addition, a $33 million, 1,100-stall parking garage would support the performing arts center and a $30 million, roughly 5-acre public park similar to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, the memo stated.

Funds for these projects would come from already-approved municipal bonds and Craig Hall.

Frisco City Council will reconvene in open session at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers at George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd.”

There’s no official timeline yet as to when the project will officially break ground and be completed. 

 

Frisco is lowering its speed limit on FM 423 according to a Community Impact article from April 23rd. In it they say: 

“A portion of FM 423 that runs through Frisco now has a lower speed limit.

The Frisco Police Department announced April 15 that FM 423 south of Main Street has been lowered from 55 mph to 50 mph. Enforcement along this corridor began immediately, officials said.

The speed limit was lowered after the city requested in April 2019 the Texas Department of Transportation conduct a speed study on FM 423 south of Main Street. The resulting study found the speed limit should be lowered from 55 mph to 50 mph, according to a city statement. Frisco City Council supported that finding and adopted an ordinance, which was sent to TxDOT for processing and a new sign installation, the statement said.”

Other places are also lowering their speed limits according to a WTKR article from May 15. In it they say:

“Crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation spent Thursday and Friday changing speed limit signs along sections of N.C. Highway 12 in several parts of Currituck and Dare counties ahead of peak travel season on the Outer Banks.

On Saturday, May 15, the speed limit in areas through Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Duck, Corolla and Frisco dropped from 45 mph to 35 mph to account for more vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the summer months. Speed limits will also drop in congested areas of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, like the area north of Oregon Inlet and the area near the Haulover parking lot south of Avon.”

It looks like areas across the South are getting more concerned about road safety going by the number of areas lowering their speed limits. 

Frisco may soon begin regulating short-term rentals according to a Community Impact article from May 18th. In it they say:

“The city of Frisco is considering whether to regulate short-term rentals to address a small number of problem properties and better track what could become a growing industry.

Frisco City Council discussed the elements of a possible ordinance during a work session on May 18. City staff is expected to present a draft ordinance for consideration at a council meeting in late June or early July.

Short-term rentals, which are often made available through online services such as Airbnb, are lodgings offered for rent for fewer than 30 calendar days at a time. The short-term rental could be an entire house or a private room with space shared with other occupants.”

Short-term rentals may be treated as something closer to hotels if the ordinance is passed according to a Star Local Media article from May 26th. In it they say: 

“The Frisco City Council is slated to consider approving an ordinance that would create regulations for short-term rentals in the city.

If passed, the ordinance would require short-term rentals to have an annual $300 permit, to pay hotel occupancy taxes and to provide a “guest safety brochure” that would include information like parking restrictions, trash schedules and quiet hours.

The ordinance draft, presented during a work session to the City Council on May 18, would include that STRs must have a 24-hour point of contact who can respond to complaints within an hour.”

Short-term rental websites and apps are commonplace nowadays with many people opting for an Airbnb over a hotel when traveling. It’s not yet clear what sort of impacts these possible regulations will have on the industry long-term. 

A Frisco-based dog lovers cafe donates to local shelters according to a Dallas Morning News article from May  10th. In it they say:

“The Frisco Fresh Market is in full swing this month. And with many spring festivities on the calendar, market vendors Winnie Tam and Julian Chung are eager to showcase their unique coffee menu to a big crowd — and bring attention to a cause close to their hearts.

The couple runs Coffee Yan and Paws, a coffee stand at the Frisco Fresh Market that donates to local no-kill animal shelters for every pound of coffee purchased. Tam and Chung, who are originally from Hong Kong, say they drew inspiration for the concept from the pet cafes that are popular in many Asian countries.”

If you want to do something more direct, you can adopt a dog yourself according to a Patch article from May 7th. In it they say: 

The Frisco ISD has updated a few of its Covid guidelines according to a Community Impact article from April 13th. In it they say:

“Frisco ISD has updated its guidelines for quarantines involving close contact related to COVID-19, according to information presented at the April 12 board meeting.

Those required to quarantine after having close contact with someone who tests positive will be allowed to return to campus after seven days as long as they receive a negative test on day five or later. Those who do not wish to get tested must stay off campus for 10 days, according to Daniel Stockton, the district’s executive director of government and legal affairs.”

And now, the ISD is getting $43M in federal covid relief funding according to a Community Impact article from May 5th. In it they say: 

“Plano ISD is slated to receive more than $43 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help address unexpected costs incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the release of $11.2 billion for Texas public schools from the third round of federal funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund in an April 28 press release. The funds will be dedicated to help districts address student learning loss and costs incurred during the pandemic. Due to federal requirements, just two-thirds of the funding is available immediately, Abbott said, through grants administered by the Texas Education Agency.”

With that boost in funding, maybe some more guideline changes will be underway as the ISD has more means to enforce other protocols. 

 

The Frisco ISD monitors students’ web activity for suicide prevention, raising questions on privacy and ethics according to a Dallas Observer article from April 27th. In it they say:

“Frisco ISD began using a program called Lightspeed Alert at the start of the school year, assistant communications director Meghan Cone said in an email. The program purports to prevent suicide, cyberbullying and self-harm by monitoring across education apps and social media.”

Online learning has been a difficult adjustment, even as students have had almost a whole year of it. Despite the challenges it brings, it looks like it’ll be here for the long haul according to a Fox 4 article from  April 23rd. In it they say:

“Frisco ISD has released its plans for a permanent, full-time virtual school option for students starting in the 2021-22 school year.

The Frisco ISD Virtual School would serve students in grades 3-12 at no added cost, and enrollment would be open to students who live in Frisco ISD boundaries.

The virtual school would meet all grade level and graduation course requirements, but those in the Frisco ISD Virtual School would not be able to participate in extracurricular activities, like sports and fine arts.”

The State of Texas has yet to release guidelines on online learning for next year, so for now, the Frisco ISD’s plans are just that, plans.