The city of Frisco’s multi-million dollar revitalization project of its historic downtown Rail District is coming at a steep price for some merchants.
Construction on the city’s two-lane Main Street isn’t just causing a drop in foot and vehicle traffic—at least two longtime staples say they’ve never been this close to losing it all.
Traffic on Main Street comes to an abrupt standstill near the neighborhood’s railroad tracks. Drivers navigate construction signage and partial closures, pass “we’re open” signs, and dodge pedestrians weaving through the construction zone to reach businesses.
Small business owners in Frisco’s Rail District say they feel just as torn up as Main Street looks right now.
“Things are tough for sure, can’t sugarcoat it,” said Rand Burks, who owns the historic Randy’s Steakhouse at 7026 Main Street.
The restaurant’s charming 1869 Victorian home, a local landmark, has housed a dry goods store and a doctor’s office in its long history.
“In 1903, it was put on logs and brought to this location because of [the proximity to the railroad],” said Burks.
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread business closures, Burks pivoted. Instead of steaks, his team began selling country-fried steak to-go, and business thrived.
But now, he says, there’s little he can do to combat what’s happening outside his doors.
“I think this is different. This is a convenience issue,” he said. “It’s gotten now to be very inconvenient to come down here so they’re choosing to go somewhere else.”
According to the city, the nearly $80 million project aims to enhance the architectural character and pedestrian experience of the Rail District through matching grants for building façades, streetscapes, and public spaces like patios and courtyards.
The one-lane roadway in each direction is being reconstructed, removing street parking to make room for wider sidewalks.
Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, now in his final term, told NBC 5 the project has been years in the making.
“It has been an 8-year collaborative effort where we’ve been working with businesses to ‘master plan’ and we’re putting more money down there than we have with any other project, which is nearly $80 million to really make sure it becomes a thriving part of our city,” said Cheney.
He says the roadwork should wrap up by year’s end, with the full project set to finish by May.
“It will absolutely transform the heart of our city,” said Cheney, adding that the city found residents often leave Frisco to visit historic downtowns elsewhere, go to microbreweries, or hear live music. “We think it’s going to have that kind of Austin vibe where live music and culture and a completely unique experience from anything else in Frisco.”
Burks blames the ongoing work for financial struggles he’s never faced before.
“Our business is down so much since all this has started that I’m having trouble paying my employees, so recently I’ve been having trouble with my checks. I’m in kinda a bad way. I’ve been borrowing from family members,” he said. “It’s very, very stressful. I have trouble sleeping at night, but I’m sure I’ll get through it.”
He’s not alone.
“The impact has been unthinkable,” said James Stiglets, owner of Soccer City at 6616 Main Street. “We have owned this business for ten years. We have not taken a loss year to year until the start of construction. We are now running 50% down on foot traffic and 35% down on the financial end.”
Stiglets, like Burks, is committed to keeping his 10-plus employees on staff—but says it won’t be easy.
“There have been over 12 businesses from this small area that have already been put out of business, with others that are considering it,” said Stiglets.
Soccer City, described as one of the top specialty soccer retailers in the country, should be preparing for a major boost as Frisco plays a role in the 2026 World Cup.
“Just to be standing here talking to you about the World Cup is very difficult because we still got a long ways to go and survival is not guaranteed,” said Stiglets.
The city has appointed a neighborhood liaison and holds weekly meetings with merchants. Officials have added signs, opened temporary parking lots, and launched grant programs to help businesses improve their spaces.
The Frisco Community Development Corporation approved the Frisco Rail District Reinvestment Grant Program in November 2024, allocating $4.5 million—$1.5 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. The FCDC is funded by half of one cent of Frisco’s sales tax.
But Burks says he can’t even consider applying for property upgrades when he’s struggling to keep his doors open.
“Our business has dropped off about 65%. On a Friday night, I’ve been doing 35–40 people; on a normal night, I do 140,” said Burks. “I do own my property. I could access [the grant program], but what I need is money to stay open.”
He hopes for loan or grant programs aimed at helping merchants with payroll and operational costs—not just beautification.
Stiglets agrees.
“We don’t need upgrades right now, we need financial help to survive,” he said.
To encourage spending, the city started distributing $50 gift cards redeemable at participating Rail District businesses, including during a Frisco ISD teacher welcome event this week.
Cheney says some residents have never visited the district, and efforts like the gift card program aim to change that.
But both Burks and Stiglets say they’ve seen minimal results.
“We’ve gotten three gift cards since the thing started,” said Stiglets.
Asked about criticism that the city isn’t doing enough, Cheney responded: “We talk about it every single council meeting about what else can we do. So part of that has been putting Economic Development dollars to different programs…”
Both merchants say they braced for hardship, but not on this scale. Burks and his wife have spent more than $100,000 in savings. Stiglets estimates the project has cost him $400,000.
Burks has avoided raising prices, fearing it would drive even more customers away.
Despite the inconvenience, the business owners hope residents will rally around them.
Because if there’s one thing they’ve learned this past year, it’s that only the community can save them now.
“That’s what we need,” said Burks. “We need people patronizing these businesses down here.”
“That is the only way I survive, Soccer City survives, anybody else down here,” echoed Stiglets.
Great Job Maria Guerrero & the Team @ NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth Source link for sharing this story.
