Howdy Frisco -
Can you spell psittacosis? What about appoggiatura? Yeah, me neither. But two Frisco ISD eighth graders probably can… and they've got a regional stage to prove it.
Saranya Narra (Maus) and Thulasi Umasankar (Scoggins) survived nine grueling rounds against 53 competitors at the Collin County Spelling Bee and are headed to the Dallas Regional Bee on March 7 at WFAA Studios. Top two spellers advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May. Go get 'em, Frisco.
Let's get into what’s happening around town. ⬇️
⚽ Toyota Stadium Just Hit a Huge Milestone - And the World Cup Clock Is Ticking
On Feb. 18, Mayor Jeff Cheney and City Council gathered at Toyota Stadium to sign the final steel beam on the east side of the $182 million renovation, the official "topping out" of the new structure.
If you haven't driven past it lately, the thing is massive. I keep rubbernecking on my commute home trying to see the cranes.
What's being added when it's all said and done:
~3,400 new seats
Large shade canopies (finally - this is Texas)
59% more concessions and 26% more restrooms
New club spaces, suites, redesigned press box and broadcast booths
The east side reopens summer 2026, with the full renovation wrapping in early 2028.
And the timing matters: Toyota Stadium is slated to be an official FIFA World Cup team base camp, meaning a top international squad will be training right here in Frisco between matches. The city is projecting 100,000 to 150,000 daily visitors during the tournament. For context, that's more people than currently live in Frisco… every single day.
Base camp official announcement is expected March or April. I'll be watching.
🍕 The Italian Restaurant Situation in Frisco Is Getting Delicious
So here's your current Frisco Italian food update, because apparently we're in a moment:
Already Open:
Slice House by Tony Gemignani - pizza by the slice or whole, plus pasta and Italian desserts (gelato, cannoli… my 4-year-old would lose her mind)
Mio Gusto Italian Cuisine - opened December, house-made meatballs, baked clams, classic pastas. This one's on my list.
Pizza O' Pizza - northwest Frisco, classic AND fusion pizzas (tandoori pizza is a thing, apparently, and I'm curious)
Coming Soon:
MoMo's Pasta at Stonebriar Commons - full Italian menu with brunch, lunch and dinner. Dallas spot making its Frisco debut.
Hideaway Pizza - founded in 1957 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Opening near FM 423 and Gordon Heights Lane, with construction wrapping around October. Already open in Plano and McKinney.
And if you need coffee before or after any of the above: Black Rock Coffee is eyeing a second Frisco location at 7030 Stonebrook Pkwy. First location opened in 2024 on FM 423. Their signature energy drink has 180mg of caffeine per serving. As a man currently surviving on interrupted sleep, I see you, Black Rock.
🎤 City Council Is Rethinking How Public Comment Works - Here's What You Need to Know
As someone who moved to Frisco in 2023, I’m still learning how this city operates, but this one grabbed my attention because it impacts every resident’s ability to walk into City Hall and speak their mind.
After a contentious Feb. 3 City Council meeting where 23 people (including several non-Frisco residents) spoke about perceived demographic changes, council members used their Feb. 17 work session to discuss potential tweaks to the public comment process.
Key word: process, not content.
Ideas on the table include:
Separating comment periods for agenda vs. non-agenda items
Moving non-agenda public comment to the end of meetings
Requiring ID when submitting a speaker card
Setting a deadline for speaker card submissions
Limiting non-agenda comment to every other meeting
Under current rules, anyone can submit a speaker card at any point during a meeting and speak for up to five minutes (three minutes if 10+ sign up on the same topic). Notably, Frisco goes beyond what state law requires by allowing comments on non-agenda items, something council members have said they’d like to preserve in some form.
Next step: City attorneys will bring back procedural options at a future work session. Any actual change would require a full council vote.
Why this matters? Public comment rules determine who gets heard, when they get heard, and how accessible civic participation feels. If you have opinions on how that should work in Frisco, now’s the time to pay attention.
🏠 Frisco, TX Housing Market Update
Frisco's real estate market is officially taking a breath… Buyers, this is your moment.
Early 2026 is looking a lot more balanced than the chaos of recent years. Homes are averaging just one offer (remember when that number made you laugh?), and sellers are actually waiting for buyers now instead of the other way around.
That average days on market climbing from ~38 days to 80+ days tells the whole story: more inventory, slower sales, and buyers walking in with actual leverage for once. Wild times.
📅 Upcoming Frisco Events
Saturday, February 21
🧹 Community Clean Up | 8 AM - 1 PM Environmental Collection Center - Volunteer solo, with family, or as a group. Check in 8-9 AM, clean up 9-11 AM, return supplies by 1 PM. No pre-registration needed, supplies provided.
🛍️ Black-Owned Business Weekend | 8 AM - 4 PM (continues Sunday) Frisco Fresh Market (9215 John W. Elliott Dr) Support Black-owned vendors during Black History Month. Food, farmers, skincare, fashion, and more.
🪑 By the Yard Grand Opening | 9 AM - 4 PM 8820 John Hickman Pkwy First 50 households get a $50 gift card. Outdoor furniture showcase with catered food, wine, beer, and $5,000+ in giveaways.
🪴 Harvest Garden Orientation | 10 AM - 12 PM The Grove at Frisco Commons (8300 McKinney Rd) Want a community garden box? Learn the basics, meet fellow gardeners, and get started.
🍕 Rides & Pies | 11 AM - 1 PM Halo Pizzeria (11220 Panther Creek Pkwy) Cars & motorcycles welcome. Show your ride, get free pizza slices + drink. Every 2nd Saturday.
🖼️ Art in Action Workshop with Alec DeJesus | 1-2:30 PM Frisco Discovery Center (8004 N. Dallas Parkway) Go behind the scenes of the "From Wild Ground" exhibit and create your own artwork. Ages 16+, no experience needed. $15 residents/$20 non-residents. Register here.
🏀 Texas Legends vs Lakers (game 2) 7:30 PM at the Comerica Center (2601 Avenue of the Stars). Complimentary tickets.
