Page 77 - Plano, TX Heritage Preservation Plan

GROWTH &

REDEVELOPMENT

The City of Plano’s history tells the story of growth and redevelopment during a period of over 150 years. As Plano
continues to be a desired home for people that work in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, development pressure will continue
to affect Plano’s heritage resources. Protecting and reusing Plano’s historic downtown resources will be a crucial part
of planning for the city’s future and preservation program. In addition, working to stabilize the established residential
neighborhoods around downtown and further west will be key to maintaining property values and allowing residents
to age in place.

Goal: To responsibly preserve and protect Plano’s heritage resources through the
pressures of growth and redevelopment and support creative opportunities which allow
them to remain in active and productive use.

DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

Description
Downtown Plano began as the economic heart of the city many years ago.
Despite the city’s westward growth and the development of new activity and
employment centers, as illustrated in the growth maps on the following pages,
the historic downtown remains an important space in the city. The importance
of this area was regionally recognized with the opening of a Dallas Area Rapid
Transit (DART) light rail station in 2002. Sandwiched between the Downtown
and Haggard Park districts, the DART station provides easy access to the city’s Transit Oriented Development
downtown and historic neighborhoods, many of which include designated (TOD)
resources and are districts themselves. However, it also creates growth pressure Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
on many of Plano’s heritage resources as transit-oriented development (TOD) maximizes the amount of residential,
begins to move into the area surrounding the DART station. TOD especially business, and leisure space within
threatens the districts that border the DART station location, as seen in the map walking distance of a public
on page 83. With the recognition of these threats, the community must also: transportation stop.
A Continue to protect the buildings, as inaction could result in the
demolition of historic resources to make room for higher density
development;
A Update historic buildings to compete with newer spaces and prevent
neglect;

A Discourage inappropriate alterations to historic buildings to “Emphasize a balance.
accommodate for growth, among other possibilities of inaction. Everything old isn’t
historic; changes will
Summary of Issues come regardless of
A Heritage resources in Downtown Plano are experiencing and will continue nostalgia for the ‘good
to experience growth pressure as a result of more people moving to
Plano and who want to live close to DART bus and rail facilities. This new old days’ and it’s not all
growth could result in redevelopment pressure in Plano’s neighboring
historic districts. bad.”
- Online survey participant
A As new development continues in Plano, there is a possibility of neglect
of heritage resources in favor of living, working, and playing in new
buildings and spaces, should heritage resources not keep up with the
current market demands.

november 2018 chapter 6: Issues and Recommendations 77