Commercial Roofing Contractors in Anna, TX

These days, Joey Grisham is a busy guy.

As director of the economic development for Anna, Grisham is seeing a whirlwind of activity from residential and commercial developers wanting to get a stake in the northern Collin County city.

This week, news came down of a $59 million apartment community, which starts construction in December.

Irving-based JPI plans to build Villages of Waters Creek, a 399,518-square-foot project that will feature multifamily buildings, single-family, and duplex homes on the east side of U.S. 75 in Anna.

The Villages of Waters Creek will be built southwest of White Street (FM 455) and Oak Hollow Lane in the Waters Creek Residential Campus. The project will have 325 traditional multifamily flats and rental cottages. Of the units, 51 percent will be rent- and income-restricted at 80 percent of the average median income. Here are the JPI facade renderings.

The project’s amenities include a resort-style infinity pool, furnished clubhouse, dog parks, community courtyards, onsite walking trails, and private yards for select units.

The project is being designed by Dallas-based Omniplan, according to an architectural filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Development in the northern corridor of Collin County, from Fairview to the Grayson County southern border along U.S. 75 and State 289, has been brisk. Anna, Celina, McKinney, Melissa, Gunter, Princeton, and other cities within spitting distance of Sherman-Denison are seeing significant development.

Much of the boom has come post-COVID where remote working has changed the workforce dynamic and, of course, the news that the Sherman-Denison area is building semiconductor factories.

The Villages of Waters Creek was in the planning stages and developed before the chip factories became a factor, Grisham said. Still, it came at a good time for those who are in the business of promoting Anna.

“On any given day, we’re getting lots of calls from developers,” Grisham said. “We’ve got multiple projects going. At any given moment, we have 20 or 30 projects working.”

As previously covered by Local Profile, North Texas is becoming a technology industry hub. Now the small town of Sherman is emerging as a semiconductor manufacturing center thanks to investments coming from GlobalWafers, Texas Instruments and II-VI. In June, GlobiTech, a subsidiary of the Taiwan-based GlobalWafers selected the town to locate a new $5 billion facility expansion, promising to create 1,500 new jobs in the area.

But Sherman is not the only town celebrating the good news and preparing for the impact this upcoming project will have on the U.S. 75 corridor.

Anna, located some 20 miles south of Sherman and 40 miles north of Dallas, has seen a flood of new residents come in after the pandemic allowed people to work remotely. Getting sandwiched by two growing areas, the town’s population is expected to double in the next decade, from 20,000 last year, to 45,000 by 2030, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Planning ahead for this big change, the city is investing in infrastructures like roadways and sewers in order to support more development and allow new buildings to be built on the west side. Additionally, they are making things easier for developers, reworking the permit process so it takes days instead of weeks to finish.

“We have truly created a culture of wanting to be the most developer-friendly city in all of North Texas,” Anna Mayor Nate Pike told The Dallas Morning News. “That is really what we have set out as an objective.”

The newly acquired attention is affecting the real estate market as well. Anna was known for being one of the more affordable housing markets in Collin County, but that is quickly changing. Pike said they are seeing houses being sold for half-million dollars and some estate-style developments have been popping up.

City officials are preparing the town for the upcoming residents. Recently, construction on a new city hall was completed and plans to build a new library are on their way.

ANNA — Anna, which started as a small town along a railroad stop, finds itself in the center of two North Texas growth stories.

Developers and city officials in Anna have already seen a flood of new residents over the last few years with the rapid growth of Dallas-Fort Worth, especially since the pandemic brought in more residents from out of state and allowed people to work remotely.

Now they’re expecting even more to come when Texas Instruments and GlobiTech open multibillion-dollar semiconductor projects that are set to bring thousands of jobs to Sherman, about 20 miles north.

“The amount of momentum that it’s going to put into the U.S. 75 corridor, all the way to the Oklahoma border, Anna is certainly going to feel a lot of positive impact from that,” said Anna Mayor Nate Pike, who works in Sherman as a financial adviser.

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The rural town’s large tracts of land are quickly transforming into homes, shops, restaurants and other big-city amenities. The city’s population is expected to grow from around 20,000 last year to nearly 45,000 by 2030.

Residents used to drive out of town to find big-chain restaurants that are now coming here. Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Whataburger and Panda Express have opened over the last two years at the growing Anna Town Center shopping center along U.S. Highway 75 and FM455.

“For most communities, those are not big deals, but when you live in a smaller community, those are very big deals,” said Joey Grisham, director of the Anna Economic Development Corp. “When I first started, I think a lot of people, even brokers and developers, thought Anna was pretty far north, but right now they think it’s perfectly located. That’s how quickly things changed just in the last few years.”

To accommodate the interest in building homes in Anna, the city has been investing in roadways throughout town and has revamped its permit process so developers can pull permits in days instead of weeks. Additionally, it is building sewer infrastructure to support more development on its west side.

“We have truly created a culture of wanting to be the most developer-friendly city in all of North Texas,” Pike said. “That is really what we have set out as an objective.”

City officials just wrapped up construction of a new City Hall and plan to build a new library. Both of which are part of the city’s downtown master plan, adopted in 2021.

Anna has become known for more homes that are more affordable than those found in bigger Collin County cities, but Pike said he is starting to see more estate-style developments pop up.

“The question has always been, in far northern Collin County, can you sell a half-a-million-dollar home? And the answer is 100%,” Pike said. “I’ve got proof on the ground of that right now.”

ANNA AT A GLANCE

Population: Estimated 20,243 as of July 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Location: 45 miles north of downtown Dallas

Racial demographics: 57.8% white, 22.4% Hispanic, 11.8% Black, 5.9% Asian, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

Median household income: $89,829, according to the U.S. Census Bureau

Median existing home sale price: $441,900 in June, up 46.3% year over year, according to Redfin

Median new construction sale price: $427,482, according to Residential Strategies

Annual single-family home starts: 1,127 through second quarter of 2022, according to Residential Strategies

School district: Anna ISD

Master-planned communities: Some of the largest single-family communities underway include Anacapri, a development from Megatel Homes with 1,239 home lots anchored by a large lagoon, and Centurion American Development Group’s 1,800-lot Villages of Hurricane Creek, according to the Anna Economic Development Corp. Both are along U.S. Highway 75.

Rental communities: Irving-based builder JPI broke ground in June on a senior-living community in partnership with the city of Anna, and Palladium USA is building a 239-unit project along East Foster Crossing near State Highway 5.

Retail: The Anna Town Center shopping center, anchored by a Walmart, is growing. Big-chain restaurants such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Whataburger and Panda Express opened in 2020 and 2021.

History lesson: No one knows who Anna was, it seems. Some say the town was named after the daughter of Anna’s first mayor, John Greer. Others say it was named for a railroad superintendent’s daughter or Greer’s wife or the daughter of a railroad builder, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

Meet the next North Texas boomtowns

As Dallas-Fort Worth grows, smaller cities in every direction are attracting the attention of builders and new residents. Here are some of the ones to watch.

With so many people moving into north Collin County, you are probably wondering what is all up there besides the sprawling housing developments. That’s why we rounded up some of the restaurants that are now open, organized by each town.

ANNA, TEXAS

Crow’s Country Cafe

Claiming to be home to the best local chicken fried steak, Crow’s Country Cafe’s home cookery is sure to tempt any Texan’s palette. Order one of their signature steaks and shrimp, build-your-own burgers, or even get a dirty crow’s nest. Sign up with their email newsletter for new menu items and special deals through the week, and catch them on Fourth Street every day except Mondays.

Lihoudies

Enjoy the best of what the Mediterranean has to offer at Lihoudies in Anna. They serve up fresh Greek cuisine and baked goods sourced fresh from Texas markets to ensure whatever is on their table is the freshest of the season. They have everything from hummus platters, tzatziki, gyro salads and babaganoush with pita bread. Enjoy their food in-house or from their specially packaged to-go offerings.

Sushi Go

Casual dining sushi isn’t out of reach in the far north corners of North Texas, so check out Sushi Go on White Street in Anna. They have a variety of rolls such as fuji mountain, caterpillar, crab lover, fire dragon and crazy shrimp. Find them between Walmart and Brookshires for dine in or carry out.

Spurlock’s Malt Shop

Featuring the first neon sign ever erected in Anna, Spurlock’s Malt Shop has been a local favorite since 1959. Featuring a simplistic menu with burgers and hot dogs, Spurlocks has been a nearly seventy year tradition off of Highway 5. Step back in time with their antiquated storefront and pressboard menu. For more, check out Local Profile‘s previous coverage.

Sunview Cafe

Established in 2016, Sunview is quickly spreading through the northern reaches of DFW with locations in The Colony, Lewisville, Allen, Anna and Melissa. Get your brunch, breakfast, or lunch fix at any of those locations between 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

MELISSA, TEXAS

Cardinal Nutrition

Are smoothies and juices your jam? Want to drink healthy, good-for-you drinks or want a morning treat before your workday? Stop by Cardinal Nutrition and try one of their power smoothies or a (nutritious!) cookie dough shake. Order online or stop by their location on 121 in Melissa.

George’s Coffee @ 121

Conveniently located right off 121, George’s Coffee has an extensive menu with every flavor syrup imaginable — your drinks are completely customizable and are best paired with one of their grab-and-go snacks. You can always keep things simple by ordering one of their signature drinks, such as the George’s mocha caramel, seasonal, or a mango peach smoothie. Reserve their meeting room to study or meet with colleagues while enjoying your drinks.

Sugar Babes Donuts & Deli

With over twenty varieties of donuts, ten different sandwiches and a build-your-own burger option, you could eat at Sugar Babes breakfast and lunch and never get bored of options. Everything is always made fresh and to order every day. You can even place orders for customizable decorated donuts.

The Red Feather

Ever wanted a wine bar that had a thoughtfully crafted menu that paired well with the drinks? The Red Feather is the place for you. With live music on the weekends and a variety of charcuterie boards, salads, flatbreads, paninis and starters, this will quickly become your favorite place to hang out in Melissa. You can find them off of Sentinel Way, and online to check out their weekly specials and happy hour deals!

PROSPER, TEXAS

The Brass Tap

With over 150 craft beers on tap, this is the perfect place for you or your beer obsessed family member or friend. With bingo and trivia nights galore, there is always something different happening at The Brass Tap. You can also check out their menu that includes sandwiches, wraps, burgers, tacos, salads and even three different types of gourmet grilled cheese.

Honeylu’s Coffee

Boasting the best craft coffee in Prosper, Honeylu’s is bringing it back to basics with their signature drip, single-origin, pour-over and cold brews sure to please any pretentious coffee lover. For those less particular or with a sweet tooth, they also offer frozen coffees and a variety of house-made syrups. You can even book their coffee truck the Speedy Bean for your next event, or book a cupping or Coffee 101 class where you learn about the history, flavor profiles, and grind settings.

Sabaidee

The name is just like the food: a combination or a Lao and Thai phrase, meaning “happy” and “good,” which is the feeling that this restaurant hopes their food gives you. Try one of their featured favorites such as their pad Thai, basil fried rice, nam khao or their basil stir fry. Featured in publications such as Bon Appetit, their South Preston Road location is one of several in DFW. There is also one in California.

Smoothies + Coffee

On naming Smoothies and Coffee, the owner just smiled and said he “wanted patrons to know exactly what we were about.” With fully customizable smoothies and coffee beverages, customers can add everything from protein powder to electrolytes to extra espresso shots. This family-run place is easy to spot from Highway 380 and also features a drive-thru for an even quicker pick-me-up. Swing by today and check them out on Instagram.

PRINCETON, TEXAS

Big Spray Brewing

Part pub, part restaurant, all laid back. Besides hosting live music and events, Big Spray Brewing frequently tries out new food items (pizza deviled eggs, anyone?). Hang out to watch your favorite team or catch up with friends, old and new.

Jocy’s Restaurant

The best of Americana comfort food can be found at Jocy’s in Princeton. Try one of their half-pound burgers, sandwiches or salads either in the restaurant or from their new online ordering program. All their food is made-to-order from scratch with only fresh ingredients. Check them out on West Princeton Road.

In case you missed it, check out Local Profile‘s list of essential restaurants in downtown McKinney.

The city of Anna is the latest North Texas locale to wade into the lagoon-anchored residential community craze, with an $800 million, 1,800-home development.

Credit: Jake Dean/Dallas Business Jounal

ANNA, Texas — This story originally appeared in the Dallas Business Journal.

Anna will be the next North Texas city to land a lagoon-anchored residential community after the City Council approved a development agreement with Megatel Homes in a meeting Tuesday night.

Plans for the Anacapri Project, at an estimated cost of $800 million, include 1,239 single-family units, 600 multifamily units, a 30,000-square-foot commercial entertainment building, a 2.3-acre crystal lagoon and other amenities, according to Joey Grisham, director of economic development for the fast-growing Collin County city north of McKinney.

The artificial lagoon will have two sand beaches — one public and one private — a Flow Rider surf simulator, swim-up bar, kids play area and a water slide.

The Anacapri will be immediately west of Anna High School beside the upcoming extension of Rosamond Parkway and Ferguson Parkway.

Construction on the development is scheduled to begin in three to four months.

The city of Anna will create a Public Improvement District and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone to assist with the project’s infrastructure costs, Grisham said.

The city will receive more than $2.1 million in Public Improvement District fees and 65% of sales/use taxes on construction materials. Additionally, the Anna Economic Development Corp. and Community Development Corp. will each receive .50 cents per ticket sold to enter the lagoon area.

Anna’s City Council approved zoning for the Anacapri project in December, and the city has been working since then with its financial consultants, legal counsel and Megatel to create the development agreement.

As part of the agreement, if the lagoon ceases operation for more than 30 consecutive days for reasons other than weather, governmental or seasonal, TIRZ payments for the corresponding year will not be paid.

As the project’s developer, Dallas-based Megatel will construct the Anacapri community’s portion of Ferguson Parkway.

The developer is also required to spend at least $25 million on the commercial and lagoon portion of the project.

“I am excited for the impact of this project and look forward to seeing it come to fruition,” Anna Mayor Nate Pike said in a statement posted on the city’s website. “This is a game-changer for Anna and provides several unique activities for Anna neighbors.”

Lagoon-anchored residential communities are all the rage across the Sun Belt, and Megatel is one of the developers leading the wave in North Texas.

The Anacapri community is Megatel Homes’ fourth lagoon community out of the more than 100 developments the company has completed since 2006.

Megatel Homes LLC is developing a more than $800 million lagoon community with hundreds of homes in Forney. The Bellagio Lagoon project will be centered around a large, artificial lagoon with white sand beaches. Homes there will range from 1,800 square feet to 4,200 square feet and be priced between $349,000 to $600,000.

The first phase of the Forney project will have about 400 homes.

Megatel in April revealed plans for a $1 billion mixed-use project that will include a 5-acre lagoon, thousands of homes, and retail and entertainment space on 46 acres south of Singleton Boulevard, west of downtown Dallas. That project, called SoHo Square, will have at least 2,100 apartments, with 15% of them reserved for those making less than the area median income.

And Megatel in December announced plans for a more than $450 million residential community with 1,200 homes built around a Venetian Lagoon in Weston, north of McKinney. Those homes will range in size from 1,200-3,500 square feet and will be priced between $250,000-$500,000.

Megatel is also working on plans for 15 additional lagoon communities throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Prosper-based Tellus Group, the developers of the large and popular Windsong Ranch lagoon community in Denton County, is also at the forefront of the trend in North Texas, as planners try new options after deciding golf-centered communities have run their course.