Jeff Cheney, Mayor, City of Frisco

In an interview with Invest:, Mayor Jeff Cheney emphasized the city of Frisco’s transformative developments, including the long-awaited Grand Park and the restart of The Mix. He highlighted preparations for the 2026 World Cup and underscored partnerships in education and workforce development, positioning Frisco as a hub for innovation and opportunity.

What have been some of Frisco’s most significant achievements over this past year?

Grand Park is a long-anticipated project and one I’m particularly proud of. We hope to break ground on the first substantial phase by late 2025. I believe it will be a defining landmark for Frisco for decades to come.

Another exciting development is The Mix, formerly Wade Park. After years of delays, construction is finally restarting. This project had been stalled so long it became known for its “giant hole,” originally intended for an underground parking garage. Seeing it move forward is a big win for the community.

We’re also making strides in cultural development with plans for a performing arts center in partnership with Prosper ISD. This Broadway-quality venue will benefit both residents and students.

Frisco’s northern areas are also transforming with developments like Fields West, a larger, even more impressive version of Legacy West, and Firefly Park, a $1 billion project with a 40-acre park at the intersection of the Tollway and 380. These developments are reshaping Frisco and making the city even more dynamic.

What strategies are in place to manage Frisco’s rapid growth while maintaining a high quality of life for residents?

Frisco has been accustomed to rapid growth for over 15 years, largely because of its prime location. Major highways like the Dallas North Tollway, 121, and 380 enhance accessibility, but also bring challenges we address through strategic master planning.

We’re updating our comprehensive plan to ensure growth aligns with our vision. This includes balancing landmark projects like The Star and PGA headquarters with preserving natural resources like creeks and open spaces.

Infrastructure remains a priority, particularly in the rapidly developing northern areas. We’re managing more road projects than ever to meet growing demands.

A key focus is preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Many projects, including the revitalization of the Rail District, aim for completion by then, allowing Frisco to showcase itself when millions of visitors arrive.

What makes Frisco stand out as a unique city in Texas?

Texas is a success story on its own, with its central location, business-friendly environment, and commitment to economic development. The Dallas-Fort Worth area adds to that with its international airport and connectivity. Within this competitive region, Frisco stands out for its high quality of life, excellent schools, and top-tier public safety, which are all key factors in attracting businesses and residents alike.

Frisco has been intentional in its branding. In a diverse metro area like DFW, each city offers a unique flavor, and Frisco’s identity as Sports City, U.S.A. is a prime example. This focus on sports not only provides outstanding amenities for residents but also attracts millions of visitors — 7.5 million last year — making it an economic engine for the city.

Preserving open spaces amidst rapid growth is another priority. Our commercial open space ordinance is yielding results, and this year, we’ve focused heavily on parks. We’ve broken ground on a $40 million regional park in northwest Frisco, advanced plans for the much-anticipated Grand Park, a 1,000-acre project in the city’s core, and recently opened Kaleidoscope Park, a transformative space in Hall Park akin to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas.

Ultimately, Frisco is known for its high standards and commitment to quality, attracting top-tier developers who align with our vision. This intentionality ensures that we remain a standout city in Texas and beyond.

What industries are you focusing on to attract and diversify Frisco’s economy?

We’ve partnered with Plug and Play, an international leader in fostering startups, to build a strong startup ecosystem while continuing to attract Fortune 500 companies like Keurig Dr Pepper and TIAA.

This balance benefits corporations and startups alike, as many larger companies look to startups for innovation or acquisitions. Our Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has been tasked with positioning Frisco as the venture capital hub of the central United States by 2040, though progress is already ahead of schedule.

Frisco’s focus industries include healthcare, sports technology, wellness, and broader tech innovations. These align with the city’s highly educated, entrepreneurial community and strengthen its economy.

How are you collaborating with local colleges to meet educational needs and support workforce development?

Education is a cornerstone of Frisco’s growth. The University of North Texas (UNT) established a campus here last year, now serving around 5,000 students with plans to expand to 20,000. Collin College has also been pivotal, preparing students for college and offering tailored four-year programs for local employers.

These partnerships allow us to create customized curricula for businesses relocating to Frisco, ensuring a job-ready workforce. This collaboration supports our vision of Frisco as a full life-cycle community, where residents can grow up, attend college, find meaningful work, and raise families.

How is Frisco addressing affordable housing while maintaining the character of its neighborhoods?

Affordable housing can mean different things to different people. In Frisco, we focus on ensuring housing aligns with the types of high-paying jobs we’re creating while also providing options for college graduates and younger professionals to move here.

One approach has been embracing emerging trends in housing. For example, communities like The Fields offer denser housing with smaller lots, which reduces costs while providing shared community spaces, something that appeals to modern buyers. These projects have been very successful.

We’ve also embraced mixed-use developments. While multifamily housing can be a sensitive topic in some communities, we’ve been strategic in situating such developments along our urban spine and corridors. This supports the “live, work, play” concept by offering residents walkable access to jobs, restaurants, and amenities, which is especially attractive to corporations relocating employees.

How is Frisco improving connectivity within the city and with neighboring regions?

Major transportation projects are underway to improve connectivity. The Dallas North Tollway is being expanded north to Celina, while US 380 is undergoing significant upgrades. Locally, Frisco has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to road construction to ensure smoother traffic flow in the coming years.

We’re also investing in future-focused technologies like autonomous vehicles, car-to-car communication, and AI-powered smart lights to improve traffic management. Additionally, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is a priority. In northern Frisco, sidewalks and walkways were designed before roads, ensuring safe, seamless routes for walking and biking.

What impact do you anticipate the Universal Kids Resort will have, especially in conjunction with the World Cup?

We’re thrilled about Universal Kids, set to open in early 2026 just before the World Cup. The resort is expected to generate an economic impact comparable to Stonebriar Centre while also serving as a unique amenity for residents. As a parent, I would have loved having Universal Kids here when my children were younger. I look forward to enjoying it with future grandchildren.

This project aligns with our focus on the creative economy. Frisco is evolving beyond its sports-centric identity to prioritize opportunities for creatives, such as live music, performing arts, and cultural diversity. We view this as part of Frisco’s “Renaissance era,” making it a more well-rounded city.

How does Frisco collaborate with neighboring cities, the county, the state, and other agencies to advance shared goals?

Collaboration is essential to Frisco’s success. At the state level, we’re active during legislative sessions to preserve tools and policies that have enabled our growth. Regionally, the county has been a strong partner in supporting shared facilities like our animal shelter and funding thoroughfares that connect cities. Aligning these efforts ensures smooth operations across communities.

Mayors in the area maintain a close network, sharing best practices and celebrating each other’s successes. When one city in the region wins, it benefits everyone, fostering mutual growth and progress.

What is your outlook for Frisco in the near term, and what are your top priorities?

The future of Frisco is incredibly bright. Projects like Hall Park’s $500 million reinvestment, The Star’s expansion, Toyota Stadium’s $200 million renovation, and the $10 billion-plus PGA development are reshaping the city.

One project I’m particularly excited about is the revitalization of the Rail District, our historic downtown. We’re investing over $70 million to improve infrastructure, enhance walkability, and create a town square with an event stage. This will breathe new life into the area and make it a vibrant gathering place.

As my term ends in 2026, my goal is to leave Frisco with updated comprehensive plans and fully built-out infrastructure to meet our growing needs. I want to ensure the city is ready for the next mayor to continue the momentum we’ve built.