If you live in or around Frisco, you’re likely familiar with references to the “Five Billion Dollar Mile” — a one mile stretch along the Dallas North Tollway from Warren Parkway to Lebanon Road, expected to comprise four mixed-use developments.
Incorporating The Gate, The Star, and Frisco Station, this hive of construction activity has been in progress for the last couple of years yielding great benefits for the area and firmly marking Frisco as a destination point to live, work and play.
However, as the area evolves it’s no secret the Frisco’s growth spans beyond this single mile segment.
The Frisco North Platinum Corridor
In a release yesterday Craig Moen, Chairman of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation clarified the current branding of the major developments along the Dallas North Tollway, either announced or under construction.
The ‘corporation’ will market Frisco more holistically,” said Moen, “while emphasizing development along the entire stretch of the Dallas North Tollway (DNT), between S.H. 121 and U.S. 380. Frisco’s ‘urban spine’, as identified in the city’s Comprehensive Plan, will be branded using Frisco’s ‘North Platinum Corridor’.
We’ve experienced phenomenal growth over the past two decades, but as our city evolves we’re at a pivotal point in commercial development. We’ve posed the question before, but our fast-paced growth and development amid changing trends and technologies prompts us to ask it again, ‘what do we want to look like when we grow up?’”
Let’s look at how the three key projects of the North Platinum Corridor have progressed since they first broke ground.
The Star in Frisco
The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys opened in August 2016. Featuring The Ford Center, a multi-use event center and indoor athletic facility, is the “first of its kind” public-private partnership between the Dallas Cowboys, the City of Frisco and Frisco ISD.
The Star, otherwise known as The Entertainment District, is 91 acres of retail, dining, and office space, as well as a 60,000-square foot gym, the Omni Frisco Hotel, and the Tostitos Plaza, where visitors can enjoy outdoor events and activities. While many of The Star’s amenities have been fully operational for more than a year, “The Entertainment District” held their official ribbon-cutting ceremony in March 2018.
Frisco Station
This exciting new Urban Development off Gaylord Pkwy near The Star is the largest project, comprising 242 acres with a mission of delivering a unique, smart, creative, and healthy environment. A mixed-use community with luxury office space and apartments, retail, restaurants, medical facilities, wellness amenities, two hotels (Marriott AC and Marriot Residence Inn) and conference center. The area will also incorporate 29 acres of green open space around creeks and trails for relaxation, gathering, entertainment, and events with a strong emphasis on walkability.
Frisco Station prides itself on being a Wellness Enhanced Development. On-site facilities will support leisure pursuits, recreational activities, creative expression, and healthy dining options, alongside unparalleled medical and fitness resources.
The first building, a seven-story office facility, opened late 2017 just a year after the initial groundbreaking. When completed the development will house more than 3,000 residents and provide over 10,000 future daytime employment opportunities.
The exploration into an innovative, autonomous vehicle pilot program follows an earlier announcement from Uber Elevate and Hillwood to develop one of the nation’s first vertiports at Frisco Station.
The Gate
A mixed-use development funded by Dubai-based company Invest Group Overseas (IGO), The Gate spans 41 acres located at the DNT and John Hickman. In the works for over two years, it broke ground in Oct 2016 with a 350-unit multifamily development known as Domain at the Gate.
Amenities will include an 11,000 square foot clubhouse, two-level fitness facility, golf simulator, dog spa and bike garage. Almost another 20 buildings are also now under construction including a boutique hotel, retail, dining and Class A office space ranging in height from 3 to 10 stories. Full completion of the master-planned community is expected by summer 2019
June 2018 Development Update: Read Mayor Jeff Cheney’s address from the State of the City Luncheon, which references the above projects and the Frisco North Platinum Corridor.
Announcing New Frisco EDC President Ron Patterson
In addition to the rebranding of the Five Billion Dollar Mile, earlier this month Ron Patterson was officially promoted to President of the FEDC. A familiar face in Frisco Ron has served as interim President since December 2017, following the retirement of Jim Gandy who served for 21 years.
Ron Patterson shared, “I’m excited to serve our (Frisco) citizens in a new way. It’s a great privilege and I’m very humbled to have this opportunity. Consistent vision and reliable leadership from our city councils, past and present, as well as our city manager, George Purefoy, are cornerstones for our success.”
Patterson has worked in city government more than thirty years, which includes his initial service to the City of Frisco from 1993 – 2000 plus two jobs as a city manager in other Texas communities. He graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelors in Public Administration; he completed his Master of Public Administration at the University of North Texas. Patterson served 23 years in the United States Air Force / Texas Air National Guard. He’s been married 32 years and has two daughters.
“Ron’s excellent negotiation skills and utmost integrity combined with his knowledge of government operations makes him uniquely qualified to be president of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation,” said George Purefoy, City Manager. “Given his knowledge of Frisco, as well as our stakeholders and influencers, he’s able to immediately hit the ground running.”
Patterson says he’s committed to the city vision and is dedicated to bringing high paying jobs to Frisco. As an assistant city manager, Patterson has had a leadership role in city capital projects, as well as public-private development projects.
“Our vision for Frisco is to be an innovative, entrepreneurial, ‘best in class’ community for all generations,” said Mayor Jeff Cheney. “As a full life-cycle community, we want to provide high quality of life, exceptional services at the best value for our residents and businesses. An aggressive, yet thoughtful and strategic approach to economic development will help us achieve those goals. We’re confident Ron (Patterson) is the best person to lead those efforts.”
Related: Innovative Partnership to Improve Transportation in Frisco’s North Platinum Corridor