The second Mayor’s Business Consortium in Pilot Point saw Commissioner Ryan Williams, Chief Administrator Capricia Willis and new Farmers and Merchants Bank owners Nathan and Shannon Brown join local business owners for dinner and dialogue.
Willis kicked the evening off as attendees ate a meal provided by Viva El Taco on U.S. 377. She gave information on the myriad upcoming roadway projects throughout the county with Patriot Property Group’s Carrie Millett asking for clarification on how the work on U.S. 377 in Denton County will mesh with Grayson County.
“What happens when it gets to Grayson County?” Millett asked. “How compliant has Grayson County been with the extension and the project?”
Willis tossed the question to Pilot Point City Manager Britt Lusk.
“Grayson doesn’t have it under design yet, so once it hits the Denton County line, it’s going to start merging down to two lanes,” Lusk said. “Grayson is aware. They’re thinking about it, [but] they just aren’t there yet. They just got a brand-new commissioner … she’s very interested in this section of Grayson County, so she’s going to be good to have around.”
Willis jumped back in. “Their funding works a little differently than ours,” Willis said. “To be honest, our consultant works really hard and gets us a lot of funding matches, and Grayson doesn’t have someone doing that for them. We’ve surpassed the growing pain period. We’re still growing, and we still have pains, but Grayson County is just now hitting it.”
Pilot Point Mayor Elisa Beasley sent Willis off with praise for her and her team.
“We’ve been blessed to have Commissioner Williams’ office and Capricia,” Beasley said. “Every time I call, within days they have responses.”
The Browns followed Willis to immediate applause from the room.
“We looked at the building when it came on the market the first time,” Nathan said. “We’ve been wanting something on the Square for some time. After this second phone call we got [from Beasley], it spoke very much to us. The question we’re getting from everyone is, ‘What are our plans?’” Shannon took over regarding the details, explaining the work will start with a renovation and restoration of the building before separating the property into several sections with different uses.
“The long-term plan is for the south side to be retail and the north side to be a restaurant,” Shannon said. “We’re going to be picking the restaurant. We don’t want to have someone come in and then go out of business in a year, so while we’re waiting to find the right fit, we’ll do rentable space. Upstairs will be Airbnb, and up in the front, we’ll have executive suites.”
She continued alluding to a basement area which she has secret plans for.
“There is going to be something really special down there if we can make it happen,” Shannon said. “There are so many cool areas in this place. I could go in and spend hours just looking.”
Nathan explained they hope to have the initial renovation and restoration done by next year.
“We’re contracting with one of the most well-known and successful historic architects around,” Nathan said. “We’re sparing no expense as it relates to bringing in the right people. My 50th birthday is March 10 next year, and we would love to have it there, so we have a little bit of pressure there.”
The Browns explained they hope to bring the community along every step of the way via social media and have set up several avenues for people to stayed tuned in. They’ll be at FMB Legacy on Facebook and fmb_legacy on TikTok and Instagram.
“Every week that bank was on my lips,” Beasley said. “I just feel like once that bank sells, it’s going to be the first domino, and we’re going to start seeing the redevelopment on our Square. I believe it’s going to happen.”
