McKinney city council members have decided to pause discussions on a potential downtown parking garage. The decision was made during a June 16 work session, where council members, city officials, and Michael Kowski, president and CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corp., discussed the potential garage.

Background

The city owns several properties in downtown McKinney, including lots holding the former City Hall and Development Services building. City officials have been discussing redevelopment of the area since before the new McKinney City Hall opened in 2025. Current plans include a potential parking garage at the corner of Hunt and Kentucky streets, and a collaboration with MEDC to develop office uses on the former City Hall property.

Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham presented three concepts related to location and schematics for the proposed parking garage. Each concept had different variations that changed the number of parking spaces available. Some variations planned for retail space located alongside the garage.

Discussion

Council members discussed the potential garage, with some suggesting that the item be tabled until more progress is made in finding an office user for the former City Hall lot. Council member Geré Feltus suggested waiting until they know more about what’s coming around the parking garage, while Council member Michael Jones said parking is needed in downtown’s south side, but the cost to build a parking garage on the north side is only going to increase.

Mayor Bill Cox said city leaders have one shot at this, and he liked the idea of being able to pivot based on what a potential office group requests for the parking garage. He suggested revisiting the subject when things are a little more concrete.

Original reporting: Community Impact — McKinney — read the source article.