PLANO: An All-American City

Just twenty miles north of Dallas exists a unique, award-winning collection. Born more than 150 years ago, this collection is rich in heritage yet focused on the future. Its beauty is based on foresight, enthusiasm, teamwork, a dedication to excellence, and an entrepreneurial spirit. This spectacular collection, which exceeded its creators wildest expectations, spans more than 70 square miles and is seen by more than 200,000 people each day. The name of this marvel is simple: Piano, Texas. “Piano is, from every aspect, a truly phenomenal city,” asserts Mary Beougher, whose family moved from Virginia to Piano in 1958, before she was born. Her family, including brother Stubbs Davis, were the only six additions to Piano’s population that year. Mrs. Beougher’s husband, Dr. Ritchie Beougher now operates Willow Bend Dental Office on Preston Road and Park Bouvelvard-an area that she remembers as cotton patches and pastures. “I’ve watched Piano grow for 39 years,” adds Mary. “You would be hard pressed to rind another city that has grown so aggressively while retaining such a superior quality of life.”

Pianos history reflects the innovation and steady determination that have become the city’s trademark. Originating in the early 1840s in the Republic of Texas, Piano was settled by small groups of farmers from Kentucky and Tennessee. Throughout the late 19th century, the settlers’ path to prosperity was not easy, and their ambition was challenged by various setbacks such as Indian attacks, the Civil War, and a massive fire that destroyed the entire business district. Their resolve wasn’t shaken, however, and the enthusiastic, forward-thinking leaders forged ahead into the next century.

“Through all the growing pains and progress, the one constant has been Piano’s people and their expectations for excellence,” comments Texas state senator and former Piano mayor Florence Shapiro on the flourishing of Piano, then and now.

Considering that, during the first part of this century, Piano was primarily an agricultural community with a little more than 2,000 citizens in 1950, the city’s current population of approximately 200,000 is astounding. In the shadow of nearby larger cities, Piano’s remarkable transformation from a sparse farming community into a sprawling metropolis wasn’t immediately recognized by outsiders. Soon, however, people with highly regarded opinions – the powers-that-be at EDS, for example -took notice, and what emerged was a powerful collection of local, national, and international business leaders that is continually expanding.

Accompanying the development of Piano as a major business center is a lengthy and impressive list of awards and recognitions earned by the city. Among them: All America City (National Civic League and All State Foundation, 1994); the fourth most “Kid-Friendly City” in the United States (Children’s Environment Index, 1997); and “Best City in the U.S. for Home-Based Businesses” (Home Office Computing, 1996).

What’s the award-winning formula? What has compelled the business elite, as well as more than 200,000 people, to proudly declare Piano home? Why is Piano the nations eighth fastest growing city among cities with a population of 100,000 or more? When asked these questions. Piano residents offer numerous explanations and credit a wide range of sources, each a by-product of the other.

“Piano is truly an Ail-American city with a tremendous wealth of resources including headquarters of world-class corporations, an outstanding local business community, great schools, effective city government, and remarkable community organizations,” says Shapiro who, aside from representing Collin County and part of Dallas County as a Texas state senator, is president of Shapiro & Company, a marketing, public relations, and advertising agency in Collin County.

The superior quality of life attracts the big businesses, the big businesses enhance the quality of life, the quality of life attracts the people, the people maintain the quality of life, and so on. This harmonious combination of resources upon which Piano is founded is a testimony to years of effective teamwork and planning, Today, Piano is the result of the joining of the minds of visionaries, each with expertise to make the picture complete. Among the dedicated leaders are former Piano Independent School District superintendent Dr. Wayne Hendrick, former Piano city manager David Griffin, former Piano mayor David McCall Jr.. Reverend Travis Berry of Piano’s First Baptist Church, and John Hightower, formerly of PISD. ’They gave us exceptional city planning,” asserts Jim Boswell. longtime Piano resident and adminstrative director physician services, Presbyterian Hospital of Piano. “Years ago, they had the foresight to plan for 200,000 people. They fostered the qualities of a city that we now enjoy every day.”

Piano’s city planning centers around a ’’Council Manager” form of government. The City Council is comprised of Mayor John Longstreet and seven council members. Cole Morvan, executive director of Pianos Economic Development Board, describes Piano from an economic standpoint as “an entrepreneurial community with a very competitive tax structure and real estate costs” due, in part to a “willing municipal government that includes a pro-business city council.” Morvan’s operation of the Economic Development Board is founded on three main goals: business recruitment, business retention, and constant attention to pro-business and environment issues. His strategy works. Piano’s 23.1 percent growth rate is the highest in Texas, and the city provides more than 80,000 jobs.

Of course, factors such as the northward expansions of Central Expressway and the Dallas North Tollway, as well as the emergence of DFW International Airport as the nation’s second busiest airport, contributed to Piano’s rapid growth over the past several decades. Another event, however, stands out when determining what really put Piano on the map.

“What changed the complexion of Piano forever was the relocation of EDS to Piano on Legacy Park’s 2,500 acres off of Preston Road,” says Bos well. Legacy’s impressive tenant list emphasizes his assertion: JCPenney Company Inc., Frito-Lay Inc., Fina Oil, Sterling Software Inc., and Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Inc. “Legacy really is taking on a life of its own,” says Marilyn Kasko, the EDS director of Legacy Park. The 2,665-acre development, spearheaded by Robbie Robertson of EDS and currently led by John Yeaman, is founded on its dedication to the corporate and community aspects of work life. “Personal life and corporate life are not as separate as they used to be,” says Kasko. Legacy keeps businesses happy with accommodations such as restaurants, stores, dry cleaners, day care, Softball leagues, and volunteer community projects. “Legacy is really about people,” adds Kasko. “It is people coming together to live, work and play as a community.” One of Legacy’s recent additions is “SMU in Legacy,” a 48,000-square-foot campus established by Southern Methodist University that offers many of the same courses available at the Dallas campus.

Other business leaders look toward Piano’s government when considering the city’s prosperity. “Piano is a perfectly managed community,” says Gary Base, president and CEO of the Piano Community Credit Union. “This is undoubtedly the most pleasurable place for a family to exist.” Bases enthusiasm for Piano is understandable – the Piano Community Credit Union has experienced phenomenal growth. Ten years ago, the PCCU had two offices and 40,000 members; now, with 16 offices and 135,000 members, it is the largest of its kind in the United States in terms of assets and numbers. Like so many other business leaders in Piano, Base offers his time and services to the community. He was named Collin County’s Volunteer of the Year in 1994, serves on the school board, is chairman of the State Credit Union Commissions, and is involved on such projects as “Keep Piano Beautiful.”

Douglas B. Myers, president and CEO of Piano Bank & Trust, is a community-minded businessman as well. Piano Bank & Trust is often referred to as “Piano’s Bank” because of its legacy of outstanding community and customer service. By encouraging its officers and employees to participate in community affairs and providing financial support to civic and charitable agencies through large corporate contributions, Myers and the bank have become an active partner in the health and welfare of Collin County. In 1997, for example, Piano Bank & Trust spent more than $250,000 to promote economic development, encourage education, and fight crime. Furthermore, the bank awarded a $5,000 scholarship to each of the senior high schools in Piano and has now expanded the program to include high schools in Allen, Frisco, and McKinney. Myers’ involvement in the community is expansive. He currently serves as regent at Texas Women’s University; director of the Piano Chamber of Commerce; board member and committee chair of Piano Futures Foundation; and is an honorary board member of Practical Parent Education, among others.

In 1996, Piano Bank & Trust purchased First Bank, with locations in McKinney and Allen, and plans remain to convert to two bank names into the new name, Legacy Bank of Texas. Says Myers, “We intend to continue donating more time and resources to community service than any financial institution in this region and beyond.”

Concerning Piano’s appeal to potential residents, Base, Myers and others credit the Piano Independent School District, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next year. Consistently ranked among the nation’s highest, the PISD was deemed an award-winning school system by School Matcb-U\t largest school selection consulting firm, for the sixth consecutive year. Nineteen Piano schools have been named Blue Ribbon schools by the United States Department of Education. Two elementary schools, Brinker and Meadow, were honored at the White House as national blue ribbon exemplary schools while Piano East Senior High, Shepton High School, and Henrick Middle School are nominees for 1998. “We have en extremely high caliber of teachers instructing these very bright students,” maintains Base. Fifty-four PISD seniors achieved national merit semi-finalist standings in 1998’s National Merit Scholarship Program, In addition, Shepton High School English and humanities teacher Craig McKinney was named Region Ten Secondary Teacher of the Year, and was one of three state finalists for the Texas “Teacher of the Year” award.

PISD appeals to parents, in part, because of the large selection of programs offered. Specialized programs include: gifted and talented, career education, academic support, and special education. More than 43,000 students enjoy these privileges in a combined total of 55 pre-K, elementary, middle, high, and senior high schools. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and ACT (American College Test) scores are significantly high: of the 73 percent of graduating seniors who took the SAT this year, 75 percent scored in the nation’s top half percentile. In addition, more than 90 percent of graduating seniors continue through to higher education.

“Our school system’s excellence also lies in its ability to prepare students for the realities of higher education,” says Base. “PISD is a large school system; its size and resources provide students an atmosphere similar to that which they’ll face in college.” Piano offers several higher education opportunities, such as Collin County Community College, Dallas Baptist University, and SMU in Legacy Park. In close proximity are Texas Women’s University and The University of North Texas, both in Denton, and The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, among others.

Whether it lured big businesses or resulted from them, the quality of life afforded Piano residents cannot be overlooked – it is perhaps the most significant of Piano’s many remarkable attributes, Besides the city government, the schools, and the business centers, Piano enjoys an abundance of qualities that enhance day-to-day life and offer something for everyone. A long list of perks undoubtedly contribute to Piano’s continual population surge.

Safety, for example, is an issue on everyone’s mind, and Piano residents are fortunate. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most recent report on crime statistics listed Piano as the eighth safest city, a ranking that was featured in Money magazine’s “America’s Safest Places.” Piano has a nationally accredited police department and enjoys the lowest crime rate for Texas cities with a population of more than 100,000. More than 250 officers and 115 civilians are dedicated to the safety of the citizens. The Piano Fire Department, with more than 180 firefighters, contributes to the excellent reputation. The average response time is five minutes for fire and 4.57 minutes for EMS.

Piano also has an outstanding medical community with plenty of respected health care facilities from which to choose. Five hospitals are located within the city’s limits: Colombia Medical Center of Piano, Presbyterian Hospital of Piano, Charter Behavioral Health Systems. Piano Specialty Hospital, and the Piano Rehabilitation Hospital.

Area residents are eagerly awaiting the completion of an $86.7 million expansion of Presbyterian Hospital of Piano, Collin County’s only not-for-profit hospital. The expansion, scheduled for completion in early 1999, will include a new five-story wing and medical office building spanning 173,810 square feet. Charles Seay of Dallas donated $1.6 million for the new child care center. The new wing offers five new operating rooms and five new “LDRP” (Labor- Delivery-Recovery-Postpartum) units.

Presbyterian Hospital of Piano focuses on the clinical development of women’s and children’s services, emergency patients and behavioral medicine. This emphasis will add approximately 200 physicians to the organization. Already, the hospital is known for its comprehensive attention to the welfare of the Piano Community. All of the hospital’s rooms are private, and the facility offers non-medical services such as an early voting precinct area. “Services such as this,” explains Boswell, “accomplish one of our primary goals: bringing us closer to the community.”

Piano residents enjoy working hard and playing hard, whether with family, friends, or co-workers. As far as activities, facilities, and resources available, the choices are endless. In particular, Piano has 3,302 acres of public parks, three public swimming pools, six golf courses, 30 miles of hike and bike trails, and two area lakes. Soccer and football players have more than 90 fields on which to play, baseball and softball games take place on more than 60 fields, and there are approximately 100 tennis courts. There are three public libraries, four special-use facilities/museums, and community centers for all age groups. For adults and youth alike, there is an abundance of leagues and teams for sports such as football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soft-ball, and swimming.

Major events and celebrations take place throughout the year that bring the community closer together. This spring, for example, a Very Special Arts Festival and the Piano Senior Games took place. On Easter Sunday, children enjoyed the Eggs Over Easy Egg Hunt. Summer will bring the Picnic in the Park concerts and a ]uneteenth Celebration, while a Kids Night Out and Christmas Crafts Fair have been scheduled for the fall.

Piano’s cultural organizations include numerous cultural arts, political, professional, public service, charitable, youth support and senior citizens organizations, Of particular interest are the Piano Chamber Orchestra, the Piano Civic Chorus, and the Piano Children’s Theatre. Simply put, Piano residents have all they need to enjoy life to the fullest.

Piano businessman James Buis proudly describes Piano as “dynamic, almost overwhelming” – words that also describe shopping opportunities in Piano. Without question, shoppers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area are familiar with the endless shopping areas in Piano. The massive shopping center spread along the busy Preston and Park intersection in Piano is overflowing with retail stores geared towards every possible interest. James Buis, managing director of Pacific Retail Trust and creator of Preston Park Village, believes the area is “a perfect tenant mix.”

Preston Park Village , which constitutes the southeast segment of the shopping area, was the first center to open at the now popular intersection. Preston Park hosts well-known stores such as Gap, Tom Thumb, Ann Taylor, Lester Melnick, and Talbot’s. “Preston Park has been one of the most successful centers in the area, and this reflects how the city of Piano has really grown,” adds Buis. “Like Preston Park, the city of Piano outperformed even our greatest expectations and just continues to get better.”

Collin Creek Mall is one of the area’s largest malls with more than 160 specialty stores including Foley’s, Dillards, and JC Penney. Antique-hunters are thrilled by Piano’s historic downtown which features antique malls, craft shops, art galleries, and tea rooms. Piano Market Square, which includes more than 40 vendors such as T.J. Maxx, Garden Ridge, and Mikasa, is a shopping haven for bargain hunters.

Internationally acclaimed businesses, top-notch educational institutions, the highest level of safety, community focus, government team work, an excellent quality of life-these elements are just some of the secrets behind Plano’s vast success and reputation as an ultimate city. One other factor, however, stands out in the minds of Piano loyalists: “Above all else, Piano’s greatest resources are its human resources,” says Sen. Shapiro.

Jim Boswell agrees, and sums up Piano’s strength appropriately: “The final analysis: it’s the people who make the city.” The people of Piano have created a stellar city of which to be proud.

Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Center

William K. Miles, MD, FACS 613 Luther Lane, #214 (Preston Center) 214-368-6863

Cosmetic surgery and skin rejuvenation with laser and endoscopic techniques. Also featuring ultrasound-assisted tumescent liposuction, breast augmentation and state-of-the-art computer video imaging.



Animal Crackers

1900 Preston Rd. #260 972-867^802 972-612-8187

Children’s clothing, shoes, furniture and gifts. Open 10-6 Monday through Saturday. Complimentary gift wrap. Shipping available worldwide.



AntiqueLand

Antique Mall & Interiors Market 1300 Custer 972-509-7878

400 dealers representing a wide range of antiques and decorative items nestled in a music filled atmosphere that is more than shopping -it’s a cultural experience.



Dr. Ritchie D. Beougher

4701 W. Park Blvd., Suite 201 972-964-5686

Willow Bend Dental, opened by Dr. R.D. Beougher in 1986, is a state-of-the-art practice, providing services for all of your dental needs.



Bernardo’s Salon & Day Spa 18810 Preston Rd. 972-758-7383

Skilled professionals offering cutting edge services from Watsu (water Shiatsu) to Swiss oxygen facials.



Bon Vivant Market

6719Levelland,Suite400 972-713-8846

A food emporium specializing in prepared foods for specific needs. Includes a full scale florist, gift shop and wine department. Customers may dine in the bistro or take their meals home.



EDS Legacy Park

5400 Legacy Dr., H3-2F-53 972-605-1284

A 2,665 acre master-planned business community that is home to the headquarters of EDS, J.C. Penney Company Inc., Frito-Lay Company, Countrywide Home Loans, Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc., FINA Inc., Sterling Software, Southwestern Legal Foundation, Denbury Resources and SMU in Legacy.



Ewing Autohaus

4464 West Piano Parkway 972-599-0909

The oldest Mercedes-Benz dealership in the DFW metroplex is celebrating its Silver Anniversary at its new location in the largest Mercedes-Benz facility in the nation.



Gallery VIII

Preston Park Village 1900 Preston Rd., Suite 379 972-867-8222

Collective gallery specializing in original paintings by Texas artists. Also features one of the largest selections of watercolors in the Metroplex.



Dr. Jim Gilmore, M.D., Associated

6750 Hillcrest Plaza Dr., #215 972-960-0950

Trained to help men and women of all ages meet self improvement objectives from face-lifts and liposuction to hair transplants and more.



Liposculpture & Laser Conter of Dallas George A. Wooming, MD 12200 Park Central, Suite 550 972-661-5476; vww.georgewooming.com

Specializing in tumescent liposuction by local anesthesia and C02/Erbium facial laser resurfacing.



Piano Bank & Trust ● First Bank 1105 W. 15th St. 972-461-1300 {Piano) 972-562-5600 (McKinney)

Ten locations in four Collin County cities including Piano, McKinney, Allen, and Frisco.



Piano Economic Development Board 4800 Preston Park Blvd., Suite A-100 972-985-3700



Presbyterian Hospital of Piano 6200 W. Parker Rd. 972-608-8000

A not-for-profit, community healthcare facility conveniently located on Parker Road, one block west of the North Dallas Tollway. Every room is private and designed to add to die comfort of patients and visitors.

Preston Park Village

1900 Preston Road 214-696-9500

With a wonderful variety from swimsuits to culinary crafts to fine dining, Preston Park Village is your center for stylish and unique shopping in Piano.



Dr. Rudy Rivera, MD Contour Thérapie Systems 5068 W. Piano Pkwy., #272 972-930-0111

Expert medical management and treatment at a reasonable cost for obesity, food sensitivity testing, elimination diet, migraines, ADD/hyperactivity, sweet cravings, fatigue, irritable bowel and allergies.



St. Andrew United Methodist Church 1401 Mira Vista Blvd. @ Piano Pkwy. 972-380-8001

St. Andrew’s ministry shares the story of God s love through Jesus Christ and haw that story touches our busy lives.



Toni Schweizer, LCDC, ADC II, CCGC

5068 W. Piano Pkwy., #272 214-910-7710

Adolescent, adult and family counseling. Confidential, reliable drug and alcohol testing. Test results in 15 minutes.



Dr. John B. Tebbetts, MD

2801 Lemmon Ave., Suite 300 214-220-2712

Specializing in state-of-the-art breast augmentation. Every woman is different. You deserve choices…of implant, incision location, placement above or below the muscle, and even payment options.