With time the DFW area has evolved to encompass more than just the implied cityscape of Dallas and Fort Worth. Plano, formerly regarded as a little known suburb, an outlier of Dallas, has grown in prominence recently as it has become the headquarters for renowned businesses like Toyota, Liberty Mutual Insurance, FedEx and more.

Gifted the given name “Plano 3.0” and affectionately nicknamed “the Center of the Universe” by Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, Plano ranks ninth in population out of all the cities in Texas with 259,841 residents according to the United States Census Bureau. Though nowhere near Dallas’ bordering two million residents or Fort Worth’s healthy populace of 741,206, Plano has merits of its own that it has developed and honed over the years that makes it more attractive to prospective inhabitants.

“We have experienced a large number of corporate relocations, which are bringing new jobs and additional people to our community,” LaRosiliere said. “What this influx will really add is cultural richness as we have people from other parts of the country blending into the diverse and rich fabric of our community.”

LaRosiliere’s words indicate how Plano has “grown up” from a child smothered between two dominant parents to a teenage force to be reckoned with, perpetuating the typical adolescent fixations with primping and preening, acquiring new friends and popularity. In 2013, Plano was awarded the honorable title of “Best Run City,”  the metropolis equivalent of “prom queen.” Selected as best run out of the largest 100 cities in the United States, Plano shrugged off its old reputation as a Dallas wannabe in favor of proclaiming its own identity as an up-and-comer. Reeling in companies from across the country with its offerings of safety, an award-winning school district and high quality city services, the flourishing suburb has become a nexus, luring in new occupants from far and wide.

“My focus since becoming mayor has been creating awareness about what has already been in place in our city, such as terrific schools, excellent city services and wonderful amenities,” LaRosiliere said. “I have intentionally joined regional and national boards to tell Plano’s story.”

Although her dad had been transferred to the DFW area to work at the Texas Instruments (TI) headquarters in Dallas, senior Uma Kelavkar now lives in Plano because of all the benefits the suburb boasts.

“It’s just more historical and has more culture and a story behind it,” Kelavkar said. “There’s a lot of different people here from all over the world, so I’m more exposed to diversity. My parents also wanted me to get a good education, so after hearing so much about the Plano school system we decided it’d be a good fit.”

While in office, LaRosiliere has also spearheaded social media campaigns to raise awareness about all Plano has to offer.

“I like people to know that if you visit our city, we are part of the vibrant North Texas area,” LaRosiliere said. “We are provided plenty of opportunities to enjoy all kinds of cultural, educational and recreational venues such as sports, arts, restaurants and parks.”

In 2005, LaRosiliere played a key role in creating the Economic Development Fund to persuade businesses to relocate to Plano and he has succeeded on many occasions, with businesses like Capital One and Pizza Hut coming to reap the reward of living in a burgeoning suburb.

“In the next year, we will see a number of our projects come to fruition in the northwest quadrant of the city with the addition of new retail and dining venues at Legacy West and Granite Park as well as corporate relocations occupying office space,” LaRosiliere said.

Legacy West will open just a skipping stone away. The project will place nationally known retail stores like Tommy Bahama and Coach side by side with the likes of Shake Shack, Mesero, Sprinkles, Taverna, Toulouse and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House. Director of Marketing, Victoria Snee, confirms that construction is 90% complete and anticipates the grand opening in the Spring of 2017.

“Legacy West will be the very best place to live, work, eat, play and shop,” Snee said. “It will be a center where you can have amazing experience with your family and friends and really spend the day and evening enjoying yourself. No matter what you are looking for, Legacy West really will have it all. It’s the best new destination in North Texas.”

The project will cater to audiences of all ages and for all purposes, whether you want to shop alone, go out on a date, or grab dinner with family or friends. Legacy West, the quality of the entertainment and the view will meet in the middle to forge a new aesthetically pleasing and enriching enhancement to the horizon.

“Legacy West master developer Fehmi Karahan says he can’t wait to see the new skyline of West Plano at the end of 2017 and I couldn’t agree more,” Snee said.

With approximately 12,000 jobs coming to the vicinity, the skyline will not only be a reminder of Plano’s progress over the past few years, but a symbol of change across the entirety of the DFW as new opportunities for commercial and social development flood into the area.

“Overall, in the next five years I see Plano and the North Texas Region continuing to grow as we solidify our position as the nexus for economic growth,” LaRosiliere said. “Additional jobs will bring a younger and more diverse workforce that will only add richness to this area.”