🥶 BITTER COLD BRINGS CITY ACTION AND NEIGHBOR HELP

🔥 CDC MEETING NIGHT: MONEY CHECKS, A MAJOR COMMUNITY PROGRAM & BIG PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS

The Princeton Community Development Corporation met January 21 with a full agenda focused on growth, finances, and how city assets are being used. From strong sales tax numbers to approving new community programs and reviewing major public safety investments, the meeting covered where the city stands and what is coming next.

📊 SALES TAX REVENUE STARTS THE YEAR STRONG
The CDC reported sales tax revenue is up about 8 percent compared to last year, which was already a record-setting year. City staff noted the budget for the year was built conservatively, so early performance in the green puts Princeton in a solid financial position heading into the rest of the fiscal year.

🏘️ BUILDING PERMITS COOL, BUT GROWTH CONTINUES
Residential building permits finished the year about 19 percent lower than last year, with 1,603 single-family permits issued. City staff emphasized this still represents roughly 5,000 new residents and remains strong compared to nearby cities, many of which saw significantly steeper declines. Officials said a backlog of permits and new subdivision phases could boost early 2026 numbers.

🏢 PROFESSIONAL PARK REZONED WITH NEW LIMITS
The Professional Park was officially rezoned from light industrial to Commercial-2 with a planned development overlay. This change allows commercial uses but adds restrictions, including limits on storage units, car washes, and fast food concentration. The goal is to guide higher-quality development rather than open-ended commercial growth.

🏠 COMMUNITY CENTER REOPENS WITH NEW USES AHEAD
Renovations at the Steve and Judy DeFibon Community Center are complete. The building will be used as a warming center during extreme cold events and then transitioned to Parks for scheduling and management once final agreements are confirmed. Board members discussed a possible open house or small public event to mark the reopening.

🤝 BUILDING STRONG FUTURES PROGRAM APPROVED FOR COMMUNITY CENTER USE
The board unanimously approved sponsoring the use of the community center for the Building Strong Futures program. The program provides a six-week workshop series for parents and children focused on food security, resilience, health education, and family support. It serves qualifying families in the 75407 zip code and includes weekly food distribution, monthly enrichment activities, and community health fairs. The move gives the program a larger, more flexible space than the library, where it previously operated.

💰 CDC FINANCIAL POSITION REMAINS SOLID
Two months of financials were presented due to a prior lack of quorum. No unusual expenses were reported, with most costs tied to staffing and the annual administrative services agreement with the city. The CDC reported a balance of just over $5 million in the bank.

🚓 SWAT VEHICLE REQUEST REVIEWED, NO VOTE YET
The Princeton Police Department presented a request for funding a Teradyne armored SWAT vehicle with an estimated cost of about $355,000 and a projected 15 to 20 year lifespan. The vehicle would replace the current MRAP, offering better maneuverability, lower maintenance complexity, and expanded use for emergency response, rescues, and community events. Due to agenda posting requirements, the board could not take action but expressed general support, with a formal vote expected at a future meeting.

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES APPROVED
The board approved final guidelines for the Officer Nancy Dominguez Scholarship Fund in partnership with Collin College. The scholarship will prioritize Princeton ISD graduates who are residents of Princeton or Collin County, with GPA and recommendation preferences set to keep the award competitive and merit-based.