A resort complex has opened about a mile from PGA of America in Frisco. Omni PGA Frisco covers 660 acres a block south of Highway 380 and a mile west of Dallas North Tollway.
The complex includes a 500 room hotel, shops, restaurants and bars covering 127,000 square feet. Outside are two 18 hole golf courses.
"It's really fulfilling and a little bit overwhelming to see it come to life, to be able to walk through the building, see the golf courses and just interact with the places and the spaces here," says Omni Hotels and Resorts President Kurt Alexander. "Our vision is really to become the town square for Frisco."
Alexander says one of the attractions for Omni is Frisco's location. DFW Airport has flights reaching 260 destinations. Many cities in America are accessible with a flight of less than three hours, and Frisco can be reached with a drive up 121 and the Dallas North Tollway.
"A big part of our business is corporate meetings and events, so for companies to be able to get their people from both coasts to the middle of the country and be 30 minutes from the resort when they land is pretty special and pretty unique," he says.
Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney says the resort will increase the city's profile and draw more visitors, but it will also become an attraction for people who live there.
"When we do these projects, we're focused on the quality of life for the people who live here first," says Mayor Jeff Cheney. "While this is going to bring a lot of guests, it's really going to change the way of life here in Frisco for people who actually live here."
Cheney says the resort will preserve green space and give North Texans a place to gather, but he says 300 Frisco ISD students will also be able to use the two golf courses for practice daily.
"It's an incredible project for this community," he says. "It's going to really build out and set the tone for the northern part of our city."
Frisco Economic Development Corporation estimates the resort will have a $2.5 billion economic impact over 20 years.
"Think about this," Governor Greg Abbott said at the ribbon cutting. "Even before this facility opened today, Texas was already one of the prime destinations in America, if not the world, for things like tourists and golfers."
Abbott says Frisco city leaders and the Chamber of Commerce have worked to ensure long-term economic development.
"Places you see that are vacant land right now will not be vacant for very long, because you will see many businesses that will aid or assist to make this a bustling area and region for decades to come," he says.
FC Dallas plays at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. The Frisco Roughriders are the Texas Rangers' AA affiliate. The Dallas Cowboys' headquarters at The Star in Frisco hosts events throughout the year, including the Academy of Country Music Awards later this month.
Universal Studios is also planning a theme park for kids in the city. The proposal would include rides, a 300 room hotel and 4,000 parking spaces. The Frisco City Council approved zoning plans for a 97 acre park in March, and the park could open in 2026.
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