Commercial Roofing Contractors in Anna, TX

"We really believe the level of education we are going to provide will supersede their concerns over time," said Anna ISD Superintendent Michael Comeaux said.

ANNA, Texas — The Anna Independent School District is now one of the largest school districts in North Texas to experiment with a four-day school week.

Classes will be scheduled from Monday to Thursday and also includes Friday "Boot Camp" days for students needing extra instruction for state testing.

"You're either the leader or the follower. If you're the follower you spend two or three years trying to catch up what other people do," said Anna ISD Superintendent Michael Comeaux. "The main focus has got to be the success of the kids."

This fast-growing district has been talking about the four-day week for nearly two years. The board unanimously decided to move to the model after undertaking a series of studies and surveys.

The district told WFAA that surveys of the plan returned from parents indicated a 72% approval of the plan and 87% approval from educators

It's a big move for the smaller district with an enrollment of over 5,000 students. It certainly has come with some detractors on social media who say the plan will adversely affect families with "working parents" and "low income" families.

The district said that the public had ample opportunities to share their opinions on the matter in December and January.

"We really believe the level of education we are going to provide will supersede their concerns over time," said Comeaux.

The Monday-Thursday schedule does mean families will have to make some decisions about Fridays, especially families who have working parents. The superintendent told WFAA that this is the reason the district moved quickly to make a decision in order to give families enough time to plan before the August start time.

"Parents have been calling last week. Yesterday, a lot of parents were anxious about where the kids will go," said Rachael Gadi, who is with AnnaKids Academy, a local daycare center. Gadi said she already has a waiting list for Fridays.

The district said that it has had conversations with the YMCA to offer day care services on Fridays for families interested in service. WFAA reached out to the YMCA and is awaiting a response.

For Comeaux, the other hope is this plan will attract and retain educators who want a more flexible schedule. The superintendent said educators rarely ever have the time to schedule appointments and the like, which results in most taking Fridays off.

"I've got to have the highest quality staff members I can attract and retain and we believe this is one way," the superintendent said.

The district said it will add about 35 minutes to each day and a full extra week on the backend.

Students like junior Karleigh Redwine don't know how to feel yet but said a free Friday could help.

"I have a job already so I will be able to work more than I already do," said Redwine, who balances school, sports and work.

The superintendent told WFAA that the three-year pilot program was never about cost-cutting. Comeaux said the district will re-evaluate if the model works by seeing if test scores remain high and if more teachers are retained.

Here’s a look at the latest new projects registered in North Texas commercial real estate with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a list of new construction, renovations and alterations in Dallas, Fort Worth and elsewhere. All projects listed are public records.

The Dallas Business Journal’s definition of North Texas comprises 15 counties: Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Hill, Johnson, Kaufman, McLennan, Navarro, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise. If a county is not listed below, it did not have any projects registered yesterday.

To update information that was not submitted correctly to TDLR, please contact Real Estate Editor Anna Butler at abutler@bizjournals.com.

Project Name: Global Products Group

Project Name: 3 Nations Brewing - Anna

RELATED: 3 Nations Brewing Company to head to Anna with new brewery location

Project Name: Game Nerdz

Project Name: Glenda Arnold Early Childhood Center - Phase 3

Project Name: Prosper ISD - New High School #4

Project Name: Princeton ISD Marcella Green Elementary

Project Name: The Goddard School - Princetion

Project Name: Princeton ISD Lovelady HS Addition 2022

Project Name: Pandora - Firewheel Town Center

RELATED: Sale of two properties in Garland will lead to nearly 600 multifamily units

Project Name: Marc Jacobs

Project Name: Core 35 Spec Office

Project Name: Dr. Shwarts Dental Clinic TI

Project Name: Travis & Inman

Project Name: Brockette Davis Drake

Project Name: Alcott Station Spec Office Building B

Project Name: Tolleson Wealth Management

RELATED: Q&A with Carter Tolleson, CEO, Tolleson Wealth Management

Project Name: QuikTrip #999 CoffeeWow

Project Name: APM Monaco

Project Name: Walmart Store 3432-247

Project Name: Wellmed @ Buckner

Project Name: Shannon Kouser, PLLC

Project Name: Spin! Pizza

Project Name: Burst Dental + Kids

Project Name: Vineyard Vines

Project Name: Ever.Ag

Project Name: Chuy's - Terrell

Project Name: Baylor University Memorial-Alexander Hall Renovation

Project Name: Lenox Chisholm Trail

Project Name: Happy Beauty Co

Project Name: Briggs Ft Worth Racking

Ranked by Local multifamily units developed 2021

The highly anticipated man-made lagoon at a new residential community in Anna could open later this year, and the builder is already looking to expand the development northward.

Dallas-based Megatel Homes will soon begin construction of the lagoon amenity at the AnaCapri community near the intersection of Highway 75 and Hackberry Drive and aims to open it by the end of this year, Megatel vice president Steve Maglisceau told Anna City Council in a presentation on the development Tuesday evening.

The AnaCapri development will have more than 1,200 single-family homes as well as 600 beach-themed apartments that will surround the lagoon, according to Megatel’s presentation. The company also plans to operate entertainment space around the lagoon including restaurants, a bar, arcade, bowling alley, fitness center, yoga studio and event rooms.

The lagoon will be 2.3 acres and entertainment space around the lagoon will span 40,000 square feet, according to the Anna Economic Development Corp. A video shown to the council with renderings of the lagoon, homes and amenities also shows multiple waterslides and a FlowRider surf machine.

Maglisceau said Megatel is working with a group that has built three other lagoons in the U.S., but this is their first in Texas. He did not name the company.

The builder plans to wrap up approvals by next month and begin constructing the lagoon in February or March, Maglisceau said, adding that the lagoon will be full of water after about six months.

Maglisceau said a “soft opening” is planned for the lagoon by the end of the year. At that point people will be able to walk around the lagoon, paddleboard and kayak. The lagoon is expected to be fully open and staffed up by about the summer of 2024. He said the company needs about 45 employees to run the lagoon.

The apartments will be spread across three- and four-story buildings, the first of which Maglisceau said the company aims to complete by the end of 2024. He said Megatel will have a program where renters in the apartments who pay on time will be able to get a refund up to $25,000 in rent to go toward their purchase of a Megatel home after renting for a year.

Anna is one of the communities identified in The Dallas Morning News’ boomtowns series as being primed for growth.

The builder expects AnaCapri to generate about $632 million in value when complete, $75 million of which will come from the lagoon, according to a document presented to the city council. An elementary school is also planned for the development, according to the Anna Economic Development Corp.

AnaCapri will have 40- and 50-foot-wide home lots. Utility and paving work is complete for the first 191 home lots in AnaCapri, according to the presentation. Paving on the next 267 lots will start in mid-February but water and sewer work is already complete for those lots.

Megatel has already sold 300 homes in AnaCapri, Maglisceau said, adding that the average sale price for homes in the community is around $500,000.

Maglisceau said Megatel is looking to expand the development with about 700 more homes on properties to the north, two of which it already owns and one it plans to purchase. A trail system could link the new expansion to the lagoon.

The expansion could be complete by 2029 and would add an additional $342.8 million in value to the development, the company projects.

Megatel has 12 lagoons in the works right now, according to Maglisceau. The builder has projects in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Florida, its website shows.

Megatel representatives did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.

The city of Anna approved a development agreement with Megatel for the project in late 2021. Joey Grisham, director of the Anna Economic Development Corp., said the city has been focusing on bringing attractions to town like the lagoon so residents don’t have to drive to McKinney, Plano or Sherman.

“A lot of people have interest because it has entertainment for families, something Anna really doesn’t have right now,” Grisham said. “We’re ready to get it going.”

Several lagoon projects have been proposed around D-FW over the last few years. The region’s first lagoon at Prosper’s Windsong Ranch, developed by Tellus Group, opened in 2019. Megatel also announced lagoons in Forney and in West Dallas in 2021.

The $1 billion Sapphire Bay development under construction in Rowlett also features a 7-acre lagoon alongside a Hyatt resort, apartments, luxury homes, offices and retail space.

Laika announces Ukraine anniversary fundraiser

The Ukrainian-owned cheesecake and espresso restaurant that made headlines in 2022 for its Ukraine wartime fundraiser has announced on social media that it will once again be donating its earnings to the cause. Laika's upcoming fundraiser coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022. All sales made at Laika on February 24-25 will go toward purchasing and donating medical supplies and tactical gear to frontline soldiers. Donations can also be made through Laika's website or by bidding in Laika's art auction.

Find it: 4718 Broadway, Alamo Heights, TX 78209

Whatacatch returns to Whataburger

In fishier news, Whataburger has brought back its Whatacatch sandwich and its Whatacatch dinner platter for the Lenten season. The sandwich is $7.79 and consists of a panko-breaded Alaskan pollock filet topped with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce on a bun. The Whatacatch dinner is $8.49 and comes with two crunchy fish fillets, fries, and a side of tartar. Pro-tip: Order from the app to easily swap out sauces or customize your sandwich toppings.

Broadway gets a soda stand

If you've driven down Broadway and wondered what they're going to do with that old Sonic building near Mahncke Park, here's an update! Utah-based Fiiz is set to open in that very spot this weekend. The customizable soda company will offer free drinks, prizes, and giveaways at it's grand opening from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 25.

Find it: 3521 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

2M Smokehouse is hiring for second location

In case you haven't heard, 2M Smokehouse is gearing up to open its second location in Castroville. In a recent Instagram post, 2M announced it is hiring for a number of positions at the new spot, including pit master, pit crew, chef, general manager, and assistant manager. Resumes can be sent via email at info@2msmokehouse. MySA first caught wind of the respected barbecue joint expanding to a second location last year, with a story from our Hill Country reporter Gabriel Romero.

Find it: 1303 Lorenzo St., Castroville, TX 78009

Austin is an outdoor city built around green spaces. There are 489 parks in the city and 70% of residents live within a 10-minute walk from one of them, according to the Trust for Public Land.

From long-term Austinites to first-time visitors, there are Austin parks for every interest, whether you want to paddleboard at Zilker Park, explore the Pease Park hiking trails or catch a concert at Waterloo Park. Those looking for a natural reprieve from the bustle of the city can easily find a quiet space in any of these parks.

Among the wealth of choices the capital offers, these are the best Austin parks for swimming, exercising, picnicking and just relaxing in the outdoor spaces that belong to all of us.

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Zilker Park is the capital city's equivalent of New York City's Central Park — a 351-acre playground for Austinites and a must-see attraction for visitors. The park is named after Andrew Jackson Zilker who donated his ranch to the city in separate gifts between 1917 and 1934, including Barton Springs, the city's most famous spring-fed swimming hole. Zilker Park is the hub of Austin's major events ranging from autumn's Austin City Limits Music Festival to the Trail of Lights at the holidays.

Aside from lush green space perfect for lounging or picnicking, the park's attractions include the Austin Nature and Science Center, the Zilker Botanical Gardens and Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. Known locally just as Zilker, the park is also an excellent spot for accessing the Barton Creek Greenbelt and Lake Austin. Paddleboards and other watercraft can be rented at Zilker Park Boat Rentals and The Rowing Dock.

Parking at Zilker is free on weekdays and has a flat $5 fee on weekends. During the summer months, there is a free shuttle from the One Texas Center parking garage from June to Labor Day; parking must be validated on the bus. Dogs are allowed in the park but not in Barton Springs Pool. The area just outside the springs is jokingly called "Barking Springs" because it is often filled with pups enjoying the water.

Find It: 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704; 512-974-6700

BEST OF MYSA

Pease Park

This 84-acre public green space encompasses the banks of Shoal Creek, the former western boundary for the city of Austin, from just north of West 15th Street to West 31st Street. Divided into five sections, Pease Park includes a 2 1/2-acre Great Lawn with scenic downtown views, a basketball court you can reserve, children's playgrounds and a wildflower meadow featuring David Deming's Mystic Raven art installation. Exercise enthusiasts will enjoy the hike and bike trails that flank both sides of the creek. You can also bring you dog and have them off-leash between 24th and 29th Street, but they must be leashed in other areas of the park.

The most famous annual event held at Pease Park is Eeyore's Birthday Party, a beloved Austin tradition named after the lovable character from A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" who thought his friends forgot his birthday only to realize the opposite — they'd planned a big celebration for him. The party, started by students from the University of Texas, has been held on the last Saturday of April for over 50 years.

One of the newest and most Instagrammable attractions here is the Pease Park Treehouse, a 40-foot circular observation pod suspended in the air. The 575-square-foot structure mimics a seed pod and complies with accessibility standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The treehouse opened in July 2021 when the first phase of the park's $15 million renovation was completed in the southernmost section, known as Kingsbury Commons.

Since parking is very limited, public transit or ride shares are recommended. There is a small 18-space parking lot at the front of the park at 1100 Kingsbury St., and another small lot at the park's Gaston Green area, near 26th Street. Free parking is available on weekends at the Austin Community College Rio Grande Campus from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Find It: 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin, TX 78703; 512-842-9018

Waterloo Park

One of Austin's newest outdoor gems, Waterloo Park offers unparalleled views of the downtown skyline and the state capital. Covering 11 acres, this ADA-accessible outdoor haven opened in August 2021 and boasts 1 1/2 miles of trails along Waller Creek, where you can bring your dog if you keep them leashed. Stroll through the elevated skywalk and the Luci and Ian's Family Hill Country Gardens overflowing with wildflowers and other native plants. Catch a show at the 5,000-seat Moody Amphitheater that regularly hosts world-class performers that have included the likes of Gary Clark Jr. and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss.

Waterloo Park is the first phase of Austin's Waterloo Greenway project that will include 35 acres of connected green space stretching from 15th Street along Waller Creek to Lady Bird Lake. The project aims to improve environmental conditions along the creek through stewardship. Parking options at Waterloo Park include two hours free at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (1201 San Jacinto Boulevard) and additional spots at State Garage F on East 13th Street.

Find It: 500 E 12th St., Austin, TX 78701; 512-541-3520

Mueller Lake Park

Austin's Mueller neighborhood is a unique part of the city. The new development is heavily focused on sustainability and green space. In fact, it is a redevelopment of the site of Austin's first airport, the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, which was shuttered in May 1999 when the current airport opened southeast of downtown. The ongoing project has won numerous awards and 20% of the area is dedicated to parkland.

The neighborhood boasts eight parks and green spaces, including the 30-acre Mueller Lake Park. A 6 1/2-acre lake, an open-air amphitheater, public art, loop trail, interactive playscape and a picnic peninsula are just a few of the park's many highlights — and you can bring your dog on a leash. One of the best amenities of Mueller Lake Park is its location though, where a variety of restaurants, food trucks and an entertainment complex are within walking distance. You can find a dedicated parking lot along Simond Avenue and garages in the adjacent dining and entertainment complex.

Find It: 4550 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723; 512-703-9202

Mayfield Park and Preserve

This tranquil enclave is famous for koi ponds, peacocks and 21 acres of hiking trails. The 23-acre Mayfield Park is the former summer and weekend escape for Allison Mayfield, former Texas Secretary of State, who purchased the property in 1909. In 1922, his daughter, Mary Mayfield Gutsch, moved into the estate's twin-gabled cottage, now a wedding and event venue, and designed the gardens. After her death, the cottage and grounds were donated to Austin for use as a park. Pets aren't allowed here but parking at the on-site lot is free.

One of the best features of Mayfield Park is its six ponds arranged in the shape of a flower with an hourglass-shaped pond serving as the stem. The most famous park residents are two dozen peacocks, descendants of a pair given to the owners as a Christmas gift in 1935. For the best chance of seeing peafowl courting rituals and tail fanning, visit in late winter or spring. The chicks start to hatch in late spring and early summer.

Mayfield Park's extensive trail system webs across the preserve featuring lake views and stream crossings. The Laguna Gloria Trail leads to the neighboring contemporary art museum of the same name.

Find It: 3505 West 35th St., Austin, TX 78703; 512-974-6700