{"id":213485,"date":"2026-03-20T21:51:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/213485\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T21:51:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:51:07","slug":"plano-to-buy-harrington-house-for-2m-nonprofit-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/213485\/","title":{"rendered":"Plano to buy Harrington House for $2M nonprofit hub"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe city of Plano is set to spend $2 million on Harrington Homestead, a historic house on 3.88 acres of land near US 75, Assistant City Manager Curtis Howard said.<\/p>\n

City officials plan to use the land to build a facility that will house ConnectPlano\u2014a hub for nonprofit organizations in the city\u2014while maintaining the original character of the property, according to city documents<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe historic, prairie style home will be retained as part of the development to provide both a connection to Plano’s past, as well as a landmark to define the future development,\u201d the documents state.<\/p>\n

Plano City Council authorized the sale at a March 9 meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The plan<\/p>\n

The facility will provide office space at subsidized rates for nonprofit organizations that offer services in Plano, Howard said.<\/p>\n

ConnectPlano will also manage day-to-day operations like maintenance, security, technology and the reception area.<\/p>\n

\u201cConnectPlano as a whole is a vision of providing a facility where nonprofits can come in and they don’t have to worry about operational expenses,\u201d Howard said. \u201cThey can focus on mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to the main facility, city officials plan to preserve the Harrington Homestead as an event center that nonprofits can use for training and fundraising.<\/p>\n

A number of local organizations have already expressed interest in ConnectPlano and are working with city officials to create a governance model for the space.<\/p>\n

\"visualization\"\/<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking at bringing these partners together and creating a synergy within our nonprofit community so we provide a more effective and efficient wraparound service model,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n

Project funding<\/p>\n

Plano is purchasing the property for $2 million using funds from the $7.2 million in extra sales tax revenue the city saw in the last fiscal year. Plano City Council opted to direct the funds toward the ConnectPlano property at a Feb. 23 work session.<\/p>\n

Plano has operated under a sales tax cap policy since 2008. The policy uses a three-year average of actual collections, excluding audit adjustments, to forecast revenue for budget projections and protect the city from economic swings.<\/p>\n

For the current fiscal year, the city budgeted $124.6 million in sales tax revenue but collected $131.8 million, creating a $7.2 million surplus, according to city documents.<\/p>\n

Budget Director Karen Rhodes-Whitley said the higher total was driven in part by two large one-time sales tax payments received in August and September.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/p>\n

Plans for ConnectPlano are still in the early stages. While the city is using extra sales tax revenue<\/a> to buy the property, city staff are working to secure funding for the construction and operation of the new facility, Howard said.<\/p>\n

He said city officials are also meeting with their nonprofit partners on a regular basis to create a governance system for the space.<\/p>\n

Now that the property is under contract, Howard expects ConnectPlano to be up and running in two to three years.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we see the needs in the city of Plano grow, and we see some of the pressures that we have in modern society, this is really going to be a way to help those folks that are living on the edge, that need assistance,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be a better city because of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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