Frisco council forum focuses on safety, downtown redevelopment, corporate competition

Voters in Frisco heard contrasting visions for public safety and downtown growth at a Jan. 12 forum between Ann Anderson and Mark Piland as early voting began for the Jan. 31 special election to fill Frisco City Council Place 1. The winner will serve through May 2027, and early voting continues through Jan. 27.

The forum underscored broad agreement on two priorities: public safety and tourism. Both candidates framed those goals as central to Frisco’s quality of life and long-term economic strategy, but they diverged sharply on recent controversies and development tactics that could shape the city’s next two years.

Debate turned tense when candidates addressed the region’s competition for major corporate projects. They clashed over whether Frisco lost opportunities when AT&T selected nearby Plano for its new campus. That dispute touched on broader questions about Frisco’s economic development pitch, incentives and the trade-offs cities face when courting large employers. For residents, the debate signals how council choices could affect future office campuses, local job growth and municipal revenue.

Piland’s 2022 departure as Frisco fire chief surfaced as another flashpoint. An outside investigation reported he directed staff to alter reports, and the episode remains a campaign issue. Anderson raised Piland’s tenure and the investigation as part of a broader conversation about accountability in public safety leadership. Piland, a former chief, defended his record as he sought to frame public safety experience as an asset; the investigation’s findings, however, continue to reverberate in public discussion.

A second major theme was downtown redevelopment - specifically the Rail District project - and how to manage construction impacts on small businesses. Candidates debated approaches to supporting merchants during prolonged construction and ensuring the Rail District delivers on its promise to boost downtown foot traffic and tourism. The discussion highlighted a practical, everyday concern for Collin County residents who patronize Frisco’s Main Street and local shops: how to preserve small-business vitality while pursuing ambitious city-building projects.

For voters, the contest is about more than personalities. The outcome will influence how Frisco balances safety investments, tourism promotion and economic competition with neighboring Plano, as well as how the city mitigates pain for small businesses during redevelopment. Early voting runs through Jan. 27, with the special election on Jan. 31. The person elected will complete the Place 1 term through May 2027, shaping the city’s policy choices during a pivotal stretch of downtown transformation and regional rivalry.