Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board Hears Concern About Downtown Grocery Access as Council Considers Density Plans
Summary
A board member called downtown a 'food desert' after noting the loss of grocery stores; Councilmember Cloutier said the city is pursuing denser housing and office development to attract grocers but said more density is needed before a grocer is likely to locate downtown.
During the council update, a board member raised concerns that downtown McKinney lacks grocery stores within easy reach, calling it effectively a food desert compared with the past. The board member said years ago there were five grocery stores downtown; now none remain.
Councilmember Patrick Cloutier responded that the city lacks the population density to support a full-service grocer and that recent redevelopment efforts—including denser housing projects like the South 40—are intended to increase daytime and residential density to attract such retail. Cloutier said staff are also studying Highway 5 and other circulation changes to support mixed-use revitalization.
