Celebrate independence day at mckinney's red, white and boom! Activities for the entire family. A full day of free hometown fun!

Sunday, July 4, 2010 — Historic Downtown

McKinneyHometown Parade — 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 4, 2010 — McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch

• Family activities and food — 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Live music on Center Stage — 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Fireworks — 9:45 p.m.
  For more information on the activities at the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch call 972-547-7480.
  

Create a float and join the parade! It's just $25, and you may win an award!

• First prize is $500,
• second prize is $250
• third prize is $100.

If you are interested in participating in the parade call 214-544-1407 or e-mail dbayes@visitmckinney.comDownload the entry form here

Pat Lobb Car Show at Craig Ranch from 1 p.m. – 7:30pm http://scionfascination.com/

Thank you to all who attended the K Hovnanian Grand Opening celebration in Craig Ranch. It was wonderful to see our dear Realtor friends from back in the day! The GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the Alaskan cruise for two is Mellanie Huchingson with RE/MAX DFW Associates. Congratulations Mellanie!

Craig Ranch is a 2,200-acre master-planned business, retail, and residential community in McKinney, Texas – recently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the Top 15 Best Places to Live in America and Top 10 Best Places to Move by Forbes Magazine. Craig Ranch is a high profile, regional point of destination, with its open space and ambiance serving as a natural setting for outdoor concerts, water-inspired events, art fairs and exhibits. Soccer and baseball fields, hike and bike trails and dedicated green space give residents a sense of place they are proud to call home. Craig Ranch is an AT&T Connected Community. Its marquee venues include: the TPC at Craig Ranch, the Michael Johnson Performance Center, the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa at Craig Ranch, the Hospital at Craig Ranch, Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craig Ranch, The Ball Fields at Craig Ranch and The Premier Soccer Fields at Craig Ranch. More information on Craig Ranch can be found at: http://www.craigranchtx.com/.

Craig Ranch Announces Traxxas As First Corporate Headquarters

Craig Ranch Announces Traxxas As First Corporate Headquarters
Company to Relocate up to 150 Employees to McKinney

(McKinney, TX) Craig Ranch announced today that Traxxas (traxxas.com), the leader in hobby-class radio controlled cars, trucks and boats, will relocate its corporate headquarters, research and development functions and distribution from Plano to McKinney, Texas. The announcement marks the first headquarter company to move to Craig Ranch following the unveiling of its $575 million employment district and partnership with KDC last month.
“Traxxas was first across the finish line to see that Craig Ranch has all the components companies are looking for in a headquarters: prime location, access to DFW Airport and quality of life amenities,” said David Craig, master developer of Craig Ranch. “There were a lot of moving parts to this deal and I applaud and thank the City of McKinney and the Economic Development Corporation for their help in bringing Traxxas to Craig Ranch.”
Plans call for Traxxas to build a $12-15 million, 160,000 to 200,000 square foot campus-style office complex on 12 acres at the northwest corner of Sam Rayburn SH121 Tollway and Stacy Road. A retail component is also planned as well as test facilities and race tracks with public access.
“We have spent the past three years looking for the right place to relocate the corporate headquarters of Traxxas,” said Michael S. Jenkins, owner and president of Traxxas. “We immediately saw the value of being part of the Craig Ranch master plan and the City of McKinney provides a lot of attraction in its diverse talent pool of people. We have been welcomed warmly by the City and are proud that they are able to appreciate the value of what our business and our sport will bring to the community.”
Jenkins added that the adjacency of the Traxxas campus to the athletic fields was valuable because families visiting the ball fields will also have the opportunity to drive radio controlled cars and trucks and compete on the race tracks.
Traxxas will initially move 100 employees in 2011, whose average salary is over $60,000. Jenkins says another 50 employees will be added by 2013. Craig Ranch gave $500,000 in infrastructure and incentives to Traxxas, the McKinney EDC gave $400,000 and the City of McKinney plans to grant tax abatements of approximately $280,000 for the project pending approval at the June 15 council meeting.
"We are excited that Traxxas has chosen McKinney for the expansion of its new corporate headquarters and facilities,” said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller. “Traxxas also has an exemplary history of community involvement and support, and we look forward to Traxxas becoming an involved corporate citizen in our community.” KDC is the construction manager of the project. Construction should begin later this year and will be complete by the end of 2011.
Craig Ranch is located within 30 minutes of DFW Airport and six miles from Collin County Regional Airport. It sits along a nearly two-mile stretch of the 12-lane Sam Rayburn SH121 Tollway with three full on/off interchanges that connect directly to the site. Craig Ranch has unique amenities including the TPC Craig Ranch golf course and the Cooper Fitness Center. More information on the Employment District can be found at craigranchcommercial.com.
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About Traxxas:
Traxxas has been the #1 selling brand for the last 12 years in the ready-to-race/radio-controlled hobby industry. The company designs, builds, sells and supports ready-to-race/radio-controlled cars, trucks and boats. All aspects of the business, aside from manufacturing, are completed in-house, from the original pencil-sketches, to the finished product on the shelf. The heart of Traxxas is the Research and Development department where highly trained and experienced engineers use advanced solid modeling software, rapid prototyping and computer-aided machining to turn dreams into powerful R/C machines. Traxxas is sold in nearly 3,000 hobby and auto parts stores across the US and in over 30 countries. They command a 60% market share in the radio controlled car and truck industry.

About McKinney:
McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.,
McKinney has a current population of 126,500. Incorporated in 1848, the city is located
30 miles north of Dallas and is the county seat of Collin County. McKinney offers rolling
hills, lush trees, a historic downtown square and unique neighborhoods and developments, and it was recently ranked as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Move by Forbes Magazine. Visit the city’s Web site at http://www.mckinneytexas.org/.

About McKinney EDC:
McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) was established in May 1993 after voters elected to permit the Corporation to receive half-cent sales tax to fund the economic growth of McKinney. These funds can be used to assist companies with infrastructure, relocation, training, and other needs. MEDC began accumulating sales tax receipts effective July 1, 1993 and receives approximately $8 million annually. Since it was established, MEDC projects have contributed more than $1 billion to the city’s tax base.

About Craig Ranch:
Craig Ranch is a 2,200-acre master-planned business, retail, and residential community in McKinney, Texas – recently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the Top 15 Best Places to Live in America and Top 10 Best Places to Move by Forbes Magazine. Craig Ranch is a high profile, regional point of destination, with its open space and ambiance serving as a natural setting for outdoor concerts, water-inspired events, art fairs and exhibits. Soccer and baseball fields, hike and bike trails and dedicated green space give residents a sense of place they are proud to call home. Craig Ranch is an AT&T Connected Community. Its marquee venues include: the TPC at Craig Ranch, the Michael Johnson Performance Center, the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa at Craig Ranch, the Hospital at Craig Ranch, Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craig Ranch, The Ball Fields at Craig Ranch and The Premier Soccer Fields at Craig Ranch. More information on Craig Ranch can be found at: http://www.craigranchtx.com/.

Media Contacts:
Craig Ranch
Carey Marin
carey@lemastergroup.com
(214) 914-1157

City of McKinney
Anna Folmnsbee
afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org
(972) 547-7525


Traxxas
Milo Mattorano
mmattorano@traxxas.com
(972) 265-8000

McKinney EDC
Sheri Ellington
ellington@mckinneyedc.com
(972) 562-5430

Homeowners express concern regarding lower priced homes in Craig Ranch

Homeowners angry about lower priced homes in Craig Ranch

Posted on June 4, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Updated Sunday, Jun 6 at 8:26 PM

McKINNEY — Nearly 100 new homes are about to pop up in McKinney’s Craig Ranch. You’d think that would be good news for the luxury community but some neighbors are not rolling out the welcome mat.
The homes in the area currently range from about $400,000 into the millions but the homes being built are substantially less.
Beazer Homes, one of the largest builders in the country, bought 93 lots in The Settlement neighborhood at Craig Ranch. The houses, described as "luxurious and high performance," will be among the lowest priced at the master planned development.
“Do you think I want a $200,000 home next to my house? Absolutely not," said Carol DeMott, a homeowner who lives in The Settlement.
Some homeowners, like DeMott, are concerned lower priced homes coming into the neighborhood will drive their property values down.
“Would you want to buy a million dollar home next to a home that's going to cost $200,000 to $300,000? I don't think so," said DeMott.
Michael Blackwood lives adjacent to the land where Beazer will build new homes. He calls it a good news-bad news situation.
He likes the possibility that all the vacant lots in the settlement may finally be filled but he has concerns. “I do see a possible negative happening because the lower priced values of the home will drive down prices a little bit," said Blackwood.
Craig Ranch executives want to ease homeowners' concerns.
“Every builder in there, it doesn't matter who it is, they're going to try to sell it for the most they can. So that product level is in the mid twos to threes. I think eventually it's going to be even higher," said Miles Prestemon, Craig Ranch chief operating officer.
Prestemon says builders must follow Craig Ranch architectural guidelines but that is not easing anyone’s concerns.
E-mail: sstoler@wfaa.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2010

Beazer Homes Moves into Craig Ranch With All New Floor Plans
Builder Purchases 93 Lots in The Settlement

(McKinney, TX) Craig Ranch announced today Atlanta-based Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) has purchased 93 lots in the premium master-planned community of The Settlement. Beazer has developed newly designed floor plans and elevations created specifically for Craig Ranch.
“We are excited to be working with Beazer on a new, upscale product that blends into this community,” said Miles Prestemon, Chief Operating Officer of Craig Ranch. “With another top 10 builder coming into Craig Ranch, superior homes and unmatched amenities, we continue to provide the best urban lifestyle community in the Metroplex.”
Louie Ocana, Beazer’s Division President for Dallas/Fort Worth, says the company should have new home designs in a few weeks and plans to break ground in the next 30 to 45 days. The homes will be priced from the mid-200s to low-300s.
"Beazer Homes is thrilled to be partnering with Craig Ranch to provide luxurious, high performance homes for the residents in the McKinney area,” said Ocana. “Craig Ranch is an opportunity for us to offer its residents the quality and performance that they demand in a home while maintaining the uncompromising style of living that Craig Ranch delivers."
The Settlement is one of Craig Ranch’s most unique communities with a wide array of builders, building types and architectural designs to accommodate every taste – from high-end luxury homes complete with golf course views, to townhomes and condominiums with minimal maintenance needs. The Settlement has an expansive tree-lined park, a winding half-mile rubberized jogging track, ample hike and bike trails and walking proximity to the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa.
Beazer has 900 employees and operations in 16 states. The company has over a 50-year legacy of building homes for America's families and in the past 10 years, more than 130,000 homes have been delivered. For more information on Beazer Homes, please visit beazer.com or visit the Information Center at Craig Ranch.
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About Beazer Homes:
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (http://www.beazer.com/), headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the top 10 homebuilders in the United States, based on number of homes closed. Beazer Homes’ ongoing operations are geographically diversified in 16 states across the country, and its high performance homes, called eSMART, are designed to appeal to homebuyers at various price points across various demographic segments. The company’s long-term business strategy focuses on providing customers with high performance homes, while seeking to maximize return on invested capital over time. Beazer Homes' legacy includes building homes for America's families for over 50 years - over 130,000 in the last 10 years alone. Beazer Homes has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1994 under the ticker symbol "BZH".

About Craig Ranch:
Craig Ranch is a 2,200 acre master-planned business, retail, and residential community in McKinney, Texas – recently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the top 15 “Best Places to Live” in America. Craig Ranch is a high profile, regional point of destination, with its open space and ambiance serving as a natural setting for outdoor concerts, water-inspired events, art fairs and exhibits. Soccer and baseball fields, hike and bike trails and dedicated green space give residents a sense of place they are proud to call home. Craig Ranch is an AT&T Connected Community. Its marquee venues include: the TPC at Craig Ranch, the Michael Johnson Performance Center, the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa at Craig Ranch, the Hospital at Craig Ranch, Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craig Ranch, The Ball Fields at Craig Ranch and The Premier Soccer Fields at Craig Ranch. More information on Craig Ranch can be found at: http://www.craigranchtx.com/.

Media Contact:
Carey Marin
carey@lemastergroup.com
(214) 914-1157

Crape Myrtles World Collection at Craig Ranch