McKinney Performing Arts Center to Close Feb. 1 for $10M Renovation

The McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), housed in the former Collin County Courthouse in downtown McKinney, will close to the public on Feb. 1 as the city begins a nearly yearlong, historic renovation aimed at preserving the building’s architectural character and upgrading critical systems. Construction crews are scheduled to begin work Feb. 2 and the project is expected to be complete in fall 2026.

City officials present the work as both preservation and modernization. “This project is about honoring where we have been while preparing MPAC for where we are going,” Andrew Jones, director of the Cultural District, said in the city’s announcement. The City of McKinney press release states, “MPAC will be closed to the public on Feb. 1 and remain closed while construction is underway.” The release also notes: “Construction will begin Feb. 2, with an estimated completion in Fall 2026,” and that “the renovation will focus on preserving the building’s architectural integrity while addressing critical infrastructure needs and enhancing the overall guest experience.”

City Council approved funding for the renovation in February 2025 and the Texas Historical Commission gave approval in Fall 2025. Local reporting identified the project cost as approximately $10 million. The Courier-Gazette framed the work as an extensive renovation that will honor the building’s roughly 150-year history as Collin County’s original courthouse and restore architectural details that officials say have deteriorated since the last major work in the early 2000s.

Planned upgrades include replacement or overhaul of HVAC and electrical systems, roofing and drainage repairs, elevator work, ADA accessibility improvements, plaster and railing repairs, and a refresh of all public restrooms. Theater-specific work will improve seating and guest experience; design touches reported by local outlets include a metal and glass canopy over the entrance and reintroducing the building’s original judge’s bench reimagined as a bar in the theater space.

The closure will restrict public access to the building and its restrooms and will affect parking on Tennessee Street during construction. City materials emphasize that annual downtown events will continue as scheduled despite the MPAC shutdown, and the city has unveiled new renderings of the finished project.

Several operational and oversight details remain unresolved in city materials: the name of the contractor or architect, a line-item budget, whether resident companies will relocate and where ticketed events will be hosted during the closure. Jones has also noted MPAC’s role in downtown revitalization: “The building helped spark the revitalization of downtown in the early 2000s. This renovation ensures it continues to play that role, while offering a more elevated experience for every guest.”

Residents seeking updates can view the city’s MPAC renovation webpage and sign up for the MPAC newsletter for scheduling and ticketing notices. For patrons, the practical next steps are to check with event organizers about performances originally scheduled at MPAC and to watch city communications for construction milestones, parking restrictions and any announcements about temporary venues.