Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney has been on the job since May, but he already has a clear vision for the city.
"For me, the downtown is the heartbeat of the community," Cheney said.
Cheney said he wants to close part of Fourth Street downtown to create more green space, and add restaurants. A few blocks down, the mayor envisions a residential and commercial building.
"Frisco is about 60-percent built out, we have about another 40 percent to go. And so, really, we are coming into a new age in Frisco, which is developing our commercial corridor, really building out what the future of Frisco looks like. We wanted to start fast," he said.
Cheney has a unique perspective on the hot real estate market in Frisco. He is a real estate agent himself.
"When I was on the campaign trail, you know, I talked about 'the right mayor at the right time,' and right now when we are building out the second half of the city, it takes an eye for detail on commercial development and quality. And that is what I am going to be able to bring to the city," Cheney said.
But while the city is growing, so is traffic. The mayor is well aware. He spent nine months on the city council before getting this job.
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"The main thing is having a long-term plan and a comprehensive plan, which we do. So we have city, the city planned out upon complete build out. We are looking at road projects and other projects, you know, five and 10 years down the road, so we can try to stay in front of them. And so that is what we are doing. Right now is widening those future roads that we need," he said.
Some projects include additional feeder roads at corridors of the Dallas North Tollway and Main Street in West Frisco. Cheney also has a passion for parks, and he is determined to get a lot done.
The role of Frisco mayor is a volunteer job, and Cheney says he is spending more than 50 hours a week at work.
"After serving the community for nine years, I feel like this is quite honestly part of who I am," he said.
