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MCDC marks 30 years as Chestnut Square highlights preservation and farmers market impact
Summary
At its April 23 meeting the McKinney Community Development Corporation celebrated its 30th anniversary and heard a Chestnut Square presentation describing roughly $2.5 million in MCDC promotional and preservation grants and continued support for the farmers market and historic properties.
The McKinney Community Development Corporation opened its April 23 meeting with a 30th-anniversary video and a presentation from Chestnut Square that traced the site’s preservation work and community role.
Deanna Stone, representing Chestnut Square, told the board the nonprofit has benefited from MCDC awards dating to the 1990s and cited a recent restroom renovation that cost about $148,000. "If you include promotional grants, you guys have awarded and blessed us with $2,500,000 in funds to be able to continue to preserve history and celebrate our community and inspire the future," Stone said. She described Chestnut Square’s museum tours, holiday events and a farmers market that draws vendors and thousands of visitors.
Vendors and market participants described the market’s economic effects. Dawson Michalco, owner of Jubilant Fields, said the market provides a steady wholesale and retail outlet and called McKinney’s Chestnut Square farmers market “one of the best markets in all of DFW.” Laurie Hudgins of Jolly Acres Farms said the market had given her business stability and community connections.
The presentation emphasized preservation work—moving historic buildings, restoring porches and maintaining heritage houses—and outlined attendance and vendor counts for market events. Board members and presenters framed the MCDC grants as catalytic investments in downtown vitality, tourism and accessible green space.
The anniversary segment concluded and the board moved into regular business and public hearings after thanking Chestnut Square and recognizing volunteers across MCDC’s 30 years.
