McKinney CDC approves park reappropriation, $500,000 transitional-living grant and museum trail funding; executive-session project terms approved

The McKinney Community Development Corporation voted on several funding and project items during its May 20, 2025 meeting, approving a reallocation of previously awarded park funds, three project grants and terms for a project discussed in executive session.

The board approved a reappropriation of previously awarded park funds totaling roughly $2.8 million to multiple park projects. Allocations announced on the record included Watley Park, Old Settlers Park design, Greens Neighborhood Park, a mobile stage, Horizon Park, the Towne Lake recreation center project and Irvin Park. Board members moved and seconded the reallocation and the motion passed by voice vote.

The board also approved a $500,000 project grant to Direction 613 (application 4B2510) to support infrastructure and public-access improvements tied to a proposed transitional-living facility for young adults aging out of foster care at 3286 County Road 168. The board motion approving the grant was conditioned on the applicant’s voluntary annexation into the City of McKinney; that condition was stated in the motion and accepted before the vote.

Separately, the board approved a project grant to the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary (application 4B20511) for trail improvements at 1 Nature Place. The requested contribution represented a majority share of the listed project cost on the agenda; the board voted to approve the request.

After an executive session, the board reconvened and approved the terms and agreements for a confidential economic-development item listed as Project Mirage. The motion to approve the executive-session terms was made on the record at the meeting’s conclusion and approved by vote.

Votes and procedural notes recorded in the meeting transcript include the following, as stated on the record: the consent agenda item was moved by Deborah Bradford and seconded by David Resheck and passed; the parks reappropriation was moved by Joy (board member) and seconded by Marcus (Marcus Lloyd, seated for Chris Wilkes) and passed; the Direction 613 grant motion was recorded as made by Jay Brachey and seconded by AJ and passed; the Heard Natural Science Museum grant was moved by Marcus and seconded by AJ and passed. The executive-session action to approve Project Mirage terms was moved and approved after reconvening from closed session. No roll-call tallies were given in the public transcript; outcomes were recorded as motions passed or approved.

The board did not publish detailed vote tallies on the public record during the meeting; motions were typically approved by voice or show-of-hands. No amendments to the approved motions were recorded in the public portion of the transcript.

What this means: the CDC has committed funds to several parks and community projects and has approved a conditional grant to support a transitional-living facility serving young adults exiting foster care, contingent on annexation. The board also advanced an economic-development agreement in executive session by approving terms for Project Mirage.

Items that remain to be completed in public records: documentation of the full text of the agreements approved in executive session (Project Mirage) and any final contract or interlocal terms; a public accounting or project schedule for how the reappropriated park funds will be spent across the listed projects.