Disaster Recovery Done Right: Trust Atlas for Commercial Water Damage Restoration in McKinney, TX.
When you own a business, property damage is an unfortunate occurrence that happens all too often. Property damage can be caused by any number of disasters, both natural and man-made. Most often, however, property damage happens from an excess of water. From very heavy rainstorms to broken pipes, water damage can be incredibly harmful not just for your storefront but for your customers.
When water spreads through your commercial property, it happens quickly, causing damage as it moves. At the same time, furnishings and porous materials soak up moisture. In just a short amount of time, you could be dealing with warping, rotting, and even mold growth. That's why water damage remediation is so important - to address your current damage and prevent water from making your business unsafe.
At Atlas National Renovations, we know that dealing with water damage seems like a losing effort on your own. But when you trust our water damage restoration team, you don't have to lose hope. We provide comprehensive water remediation services for businesses of all size in Texas. From the first time we lay eyes on your water damage to the time we mitigate your problem, we're here for you. With a team of IICRC certified technicians and innovative restoration tools at our disposal, we specialize in making your business safe again.
Unlike some of our competitors, we are fiercely dedicated to our clients and aim to exceed their expectations with the highest quality water damage restoration services in McKinney, TX. When water damage hits your business, time is of the essence, which is why we get to work quickly and efficiently by assessing the damage to your property. Once we know the extent of your water damage, we'll consult with you about its severity and detail the next steps you should take so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
With decades of combined experience, there is no disaster cleanup project too complex or large for our team to handle. We assist small businesses, large commercial entities, and even multi-family apartment complexes. Our clients trust Atlas National Renovations to keep them dry, safe, and secure, and it would be our pleasure to help do the same for you.
In addition to our reliability and quality of work, our customers choose us over others because we offer:
Restoration Services
- Disaster Recovery Done Right: Trust Atlas for Commercial Water Damage Restoration in McKinney, TX.
- What is Water Damage Restoration in in McKinney, TX
- Common Signs of Commercial Water Damage in McKinney, TX
- Benefits of Commercial Water Damage Restoration in McKinney, TX
- Capital Expenditure Services
- Multi-Family Building Deficiencies and Restoration Services
- Discover the Atlas Difference
Service Areas
Fair, Accurate Work Estimates
We drain water from your property, not money from your bank account.
Clear, Constant Communication
When you work with Atlas, you're never left wondering what's happening with your commercial property.
Detailed Deadlines and Schedules
We're meticulous about sticking to schedules and meeting deadlines. You can always expect us to be on time and ready to work.
Experienced Project Managers
We assign seasoned, hardworking project managers for each of our projects. When you work with Atlas, you're working with the best.
Courteous and Knowledgeable Leadership
Excellence starts at the top, and our leadership team is the best in the business.
Atlas National Renovations Multi-Family and Commercial Renovation Experts
Free ConsultationWhat is Water Damage Restoration in in McKinney, TX
If you're currently dealing with serious water damage from a flood, broken pipe, or other cause, you're probably not sure what to do next. While it's understandable to feel panicky, it's important that you have the water removed as quickly as possible. When structural damage and health hazards are at play, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will get. The damage you see with your eyes is usually the tip of the iceberg - most water damage gets deep in your carpets and walls fast.
Atlas' water damage restoration services are focused on restoring and repairing the damage that water causes to commercial property. The primary purpose of our restoration services is to return your property to the condition it was in prior to the damage. Once your water damage has been mitigated, our team swoops in to begin the restoration process.
Depending on the scope and severity of your water damage, common water damage restoration services can include:
- Damaged Flooring and Wall Replacement
- Damaged Roof Restoration
- Mold Remediation
- Humidity and Moisture Testing
While little can be done to predict natural disasters, there are common signs you can keep an eye on to prevent serious water damage from occurring.

Common Signs of Commercial Water Damage in McKinney, TX
There's no convenient time to be sidelined with water damage when it comes to your commercial property and business. Water damage to your commercial or industrial property is particularly devastating because every hour that your business is closed means lost revenue and productivity. You do not just have to deal with damage to the structural integrity of your building - you have to deal with the disruption of service to your loyal customers.
The good news? Atlas is here when you need us most, with a team of highly-trained technicians and unmatched water damage restoration expertise. We're ready to tackle your problem and solve it in an efficient, effective manner, so you can keep your doors open and your clients happy.
As a business owner, you know that one of the best ways to prevent a disaster is to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. For that reason, keep an eye out for the following signs of water damage to your commercial property:


Look for Mold:
Mold can begin to grow just a day or two after water has taken hold of your business. If you see small signs of mold growth in an area where you suspect a leak, contact Atlas National Renovations ASAP to diagnose the problem.

Check Your Pipes:
If it's safe to do so, check out the piping inside and outside your commercial property. You want to keep a keen eye out for oxidation and corrosion around pipe fixtures. While you're at it, check your water heater for rust too. Corrosion or rust is a telltale sign of a water leak.

Check for Rings:
Dark spots on walls and ceilings usually indicate water damage. If you see rings around a stain, the damage is probably older. Several rings with different shades of color mean an intermittent issue, where the area has been soaked and dried several times.

Understand Your Property:
This is more of a suggestion than a sign. As the commercial property owner, you should know your building's pipe system. You should know what is old and new and what areas may be at risk for water damage. Keep an extra-close eye on areas that have a higher potential for leaks, especially during rainstorms.
Benefits of Commercial Water Damage Restoration
in McKinney, TX
When water invades your business or commercial property, you don't have much time to ponder your next course of action. While some business owners opt to try DIY water damage restoration, in most cases, they end up with more damage and expenses than before their leak. For the most effective, comprehensive solution to water damage, it's important that you hire a professional. At Atlas National Renovations, our primary focus is assisting business owners and commercial property managers with water damage restoration. We've been doing it for years, and we can help you too.
Here are just a few of the most common benefits we hear from past customers:

Safe Shopping Experience
If you own a business, the health and safety of your customers is of utmost importance. When water damage occurs inside your storefront, you could be dealing with more than property damage. Depending on the severity of your issue, contaminants and microorganisms may be present, putting your customers' health at risk. When you trust a professional water damage restoration company like Atlas to remediate your water leak, you're not just putting a stop to the leak. Our team will clean and sanitize your business, making it safe for customers to continue shopping at your store.
Quick Response Time
Water damage can create unbearable conditions in your commercial property. As such, your water restoration company must be quick to respond. Professional water damage companies like Atlas respond quickly and can clean up water, dry and disinfect the area, and make necessary repairs. Because we have an entire team of pros and industry-leading equipment, we can be on site in minutes.
Less Damage, Better Costs
Water damage can be very expensive. Sometimes, it only takes a couple of hours to result in heavy losses. How soon you call the experts could mean the difference between painting over a water stain and having to rebuild an entire area of damaged drywall. When you call Atlas immediately, clients often reduce the cost of water damage restoration and overall building damage.
Capital Expenditure Services
In addition to our disaster recovery services, we also offer large-scale upgrades and improvements for your capital expenditures. If you own or manage a large commercial building or a multi-family property, you need to make sure your capital expenditures maintain present operating levels and foster your company's future growth.
At Atlas National Renovations, class A, B, and C properties are our bread and butter. We take the time to understand our customer's needs and expectations from the start so we can deliver outstanding results. If you're looking for a top-tier contractor to do the job right the first time, look no further than Atlas. Our customers love our team because we make large, highly-complicated projects easy to finish.
If you're looking to invest in the future of your business, know that we are here to help with projects like these:
- High Volume Unit Upgrades and Improvements
- Amenity Upgrades and Conversions
- Common Area Improvements
- High Volume Carpet, LVT, and Tile Installation
- Courtyards and Hardscapes
- Package Room and Mail Center Upgrades and Additions
- Fitness Center Upgrades and Improvements
- Dog Parks and Pet Stations
- Signage Improvements and Additions
- LED Lighting and Electrical Upgrades
Fitness Center Upgrades
and Improvements
Free Consultation
Multi-Family Building Deficiencies and Restoration Services
New multi-family properties are entering the market every day. That means that older communities must be renovated to keep up with modern demands and tenant needs. Upgrades to amenities, aesthetics and even structural changes help assets stay up-to-date. At the same time, damages from leaks and storms must be addressed. If you're a multi-family property manager or owner, and need unmatched restoration capability, Atlas National Renovations is here to serve you.
We specialize in cutting-edge, high-quality ways to achieve your renovation goals - for your tenants but also for your corporate leaders and management team. After all, a successful multi-family renovation benefits all parties.
We currently work with the top multi-family groups across our state. Unlike some multi-family renovation companies in Texas, our team understands the inner workings of the multi-family environment. Our customers appreciate our accommodations to their residents, maintenance team, leasing team, corporate leaders, and beyond. We're proud to say we know multi-family, inside and out, and have the credentials to back up those claims.
When crafting a multi-family restoration plan, we always consider your tenant's demographics, your building's curb appeal, property age, and energy efficiency. Whether you need to have significant updates applied to an older property or need a water damage inspection for a brand-new building, we can help.
Here is a quick glance at some of the multi-family renovations that our team handles:
- Leak Detection and Water Intrusion Investigation
- Exterior Sealants and Waterproofing
- Large Interior and Exterior Paint Projects
- Stucco Remediation and Exterior Facade Re-Clads
- Full Property Exterior Repaints
- Concrete and Flatwork
- Corridor and Common Area Painting
- Roof Replacement
Before / After






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Discover the
Atlas Difference
Water damage restoration is a crucial, complex process that must be completed properly to save your business from serious damage. Choosing the right professional is equally important, especially when your customers' health is on the line. Whether you need large-scale commercial restoration or quick, effective water damage cleanup for your storefront business, know that we are only a phone call away. Contact our friendly team of experts to learn more about Atlas National Renovations and how we clean up your water damage mess better than the rest.

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Latest News in McKinney, TX
Four North Texas cities are rated as the best real estate markets in the nation
Steve Brownhttps://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2023/08/22/four-north-texas-cities-are-rated-as-the-best-real-estate-markets-in-the-nation/
Two Dallas-area cities are rated as the best real estate markets in the country. And four of the six top U.S. property markets are in North Texas, according to a just-released study from WalletHub.McKinney and Frisco took the top spots in the 2023′s Best Real Estate Markets report. Denton ranked fourth and Allen was sixth in the annual nationwide study.Austin ranked eighth on WalletHub’s top 10 markets list, giving Texas cities half the spots in the ranking.The study looked at 300 U.S. cities and rated...
Two Dallas-area cities are rated as the best real estate markets in the country. And four of the six top U.S. property markets are in North Texas, according to a just-released study from WalletHub.
McKinney and Frisco took the top spots in the 2023′s Best Real Estate Markets report. Denton ranked fourth and Allen was sixth in the annual nationwide study.
Austin ranked eighth on WalletHub’s top 10 markets list, giving Texas cities half the spots in the ranking.
The study looked at 300 U.S. cities and rated the real estate markets for housing attractiveness based on factors including home price appreciation, share of underwater mortgages, foreclosure rates, housing affordability, population growth and unemployment rates.
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It’s no surprise three of Collin County’s fastest growth cities are at the top of the real estate ranking.
Fort Worth placed 22nd in the national list, Plano was at 24 , Richardson was 28th, Irving placed 36th and Dallas was ranked as the 43rd best U.S. real estate market, according to WalletHub.
Fast-growing cities fared better in the home-buying rankings.
“I would advise buyers to pay more attention to job growth rates and unemployment rates within their metro area,” San Jose State University professor Kelly Snider said in the report. “In most parts of the country, small and mid-size employers are hiring and growing, which means the local economies are strong and local markets are stable.”
Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the country’s strongest metro areas for both population and job growth.
Real estate costs in the area are moderating after several years of soaring prices. D-FW area home prices were down 1% year-over-year in the latest survey.
“There is no crash coming, and it is too expensive to boom anything. What we see is that exorbitant increases are stabilizing, and the entire housing market is getting less volatile and more predictable,” Snider said. “That is good for the economy and good for employers who want a stable cohort of employees. The housing recalibration is very good for long-term stability in the U.S.”
H-E-B debuts new McKinney store; hundreds lined up for grand opening
Shelbie Hamiltonhttps://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/mckinney/business/2023/07/18/h-e-b-debuts-new-mckinney-store-hundreds-lined-up-for-grand-opening/
Over 400 people lined up for McKinney's H-E-B grand opening on July 19, according to a company representative.The detailsThe McKinney store features:The store will also have an extensive beer and wine selection, a deli, a bakery and tortilleria with two tortilla machines, and live cooking demonstrations at its Cooking Connections station, according to its website. The McKinney location will offer curbside...
Over 400 people lined up for McKinney's H-E-B grand opening on July 19, according to a company representative.
The details
The McKinney store features:
The store will also have an extensive beer and wine selection, a deli, a bakery and tortilleria with two tortilla machines, and live cooking demonstrations at its Cooking Connections station, according to its website. The McKinney location will offer curbside and delivery service.
The location, led by the store’s top leader Matt LoBello, employs a total of 750 people, with most hourly positions beginning at $15 per hour, according to company representatives.
The family-owned grocery store was founded in 1905 by Florence Butt and has expanded to more than 420 locations in Texas and Mexico.
How we got here
The 118,000-square-foot store, located at 8700 Eldorado Parkway near Custer Road, was announced in mid-2021.
Construction for the project began in March 2022. Improvements were also made to adjacent roadways, including Eldorado Parkway, ahead of the McKinney store’s opening.
The first Dallas-Fort Worth-area H-E-B opened in Frisco in September, followed by the opening of the Plano store in November. Other DFW-area H-E-B stores in the works include locations in Allen, Alliance and Mansfield as well as a second Frisco store.
What they’re saying
McKinney Mayor George Fuller, McKinney City Council members, city staff and H-E-B leaders were in attendance at a July 18 ribbon-cutting event.
Fuller noted the company’s philanthropic efforts in the local community began at the onset of construction on the McKinney store.
“How exciting it is to have a company like H-E-B here,” Fuller said. “What it brings to the community certainly as a store—118,000 [square] feet, this is awesome—but what they bring in just human values, in philanthropy to the community, they’re really an incredible company, an incredible corporate partner, and we are so, so blessed to have you guys here.”
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, H-E-B leaders commemorated the store’s grand opening with a $10,000 donation to the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, a McKinney-based science museum and nature center.
“We truly believe that giving back not only allows us to better serve you in our stores, but more importantly, allows us to create strong communities where each and every person counts,” said Juan-Carlos Ruck, executive vice president of the H-E-B northwest food and drug division, of the donation.
At the groundbreaking event for the McKinney store in early 2022, H-E-B leaders gifted a total of $50,000 with donations of $10,000 each to City Church, Community Garden Kitchen, Hugs Café, Love Life Foundation and Seed Project Foundation.
For more information on operating hours and details of the new McKinney store, visit www.heb.com/heb-store/US/tx/mckinney/h-e-b-mckinney-794 or call 469-631-7483.
Editors note: This article and headline has been updated to include more information.
Editor, McKinney
Shelbie joined Community Impact Newspaper in August 2022, and has been the editor of the McKinney edition since July 2023. Prior to CI, Shelbie served as a business news fellow for the Dallas Morning News. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in May 2022. When she’s not writing, she enjoys photography and live music.
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New McKinney H-E-B store opens to a crowd of cheering shoppers
FOX 4 Staffhttps://www.fox4news.com/news/h-e-b-mckinney-store-opening
McKINNEY, Texas - Another H-E-B grocery store is now open in North Texas. The ...
McKINNEY, Texas - Another H-E-B grocery store is now open in North Texas. The H-E-B in McKinney is the third of four to open in Collin County.
Although the stores in Plano and Frisco have been open for several months, people still began lining up before dawn Wednesday to be among the first shoppers when the new McKinney store opened at 6 a.m.
The store located on the northeast corner of Custer Road and Eldorado Parkway will operate seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
It gives more North Texas shoppers the chance to buy the same famous tortillas, meat, and specialty items from the grocery chain that has spent most of its 100+ years in south and central Texas.
"H-E-B reminds me of home because I'm from San Antonio. And so, I've missed not having H-E-B in the North Texas area. So when they came, we decided that we were gonna go and be the first ones in the store. And then it just kind of became a tradition here," said Michelle Hearn.
She and her friends Jen Burkman and Katie Aldridge have attended all three grand openings in Collin County so far.
"We've been here since 8:30 last night and luckily that was when the temps started falling a little bit. We had a great breeze. But it's just fun to sit back and just meet some new people, have some great conversation," Burkman said.
The next big opening for the self-proclaimed "H-E-B Groupies" will be the new Allen store that is expected to open in the Fall.
Stores in Fort Worth and Mansfield are set to open next year.
Lower-priced Joe V's Smart Shop stores are also planned in Dallas' Pleasant Grove and Red Bird neighborhoods.
Can McKinney’s new H-E-B barbecue joint stand out from local favorite Hutchins?
Haeven Gibbonshttps://www.dallasnews.com/news/2023/08/02/can-mckinneys-new-h-e-b-barbecue-joint-stand-out-from-local-favorite-hutchins/
True Texas BBQ — McKinney’s new spot for brisket lovers — is conspicuously tucked inside the city’s recently opened H-E-B, and while some customers liken its barbecue flavors to longtime local favorite Hutchins Barbeque, others say not so fast.McKinney resident J...
True Texas BBQ — McKinney’s new spot for brisket lovers — is conspicuously tucked inside the city’s recently opened H-E-B, and while some customers liken its barbecue flavors to longtime local favorite Hutchins Barbeque, others say not so fast.
McKinney resident Jose Andazola, who has been dining at Hutchins for 16 years and says the ribs and brisket are his favorites, tried H-E-B’s True Texas BBQ at the Frisco location and said the two are hard to compare.
“It’s day and night,” Andazola said of Hutchins Barbeque compared to True Texas BBQ. “This [Hutchins] has a more authentic smoke flavor.”
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But others think it’s pretty spot-on.
Robert Ware Jr. worked up an appetite while shopping on Friday afternoon and stopped in to True Texas BBQ for a brisket sandwich. He said the meat has a “familiar taste” to one of his local favorite joints — Hutchins.
“That’s the first thing I thought of when I took a bite,” he said.
Each joint offers something different: H-E-B touts its low prices — like the one or two meat plate served with two sides for $12.99 or $15.49, respectively — and its convenient drive-through or dine-in option, while Hutchins is all about a classic barbecue joint environment where people can smell the smoke in their face as they walk by the pits to the front door. However, both take pride in quality and consistency, smoking their all-natural meat low and slow.
And while Texans can be picky about their barbecue, True Texas BBQ has taken to the tastebuds of many. Of the top five busiest True Texas BBQ locations, two are in North Texas with the other three being in Austin, San Antonio and Midland, said Ingrid Valenciano, H-E-B Restaurant Operational Excellence Leader. And Texas Monthly has called True Texas BBQ the best chain barbecue in the state.
Related:McKinney turns out for H-E-B’s newest supermarket with a line more than 400 long
‘On my list now’
“It’s great to have guests who come in and say they weren’t expecting much and then they say, ‘Oh my gosh this is going to be on my list now,’ ” Valenciano said. “Competition is good. We all love a challenge, and the guests benefit from having so much great BBQ around.”
Krishnapal and Preet Chhabra live 1 mile from the new H-E-B. They like the convenience of being able to get groceries and eat all in one place, they said while enjoying a rack of natural St. Louis ribs.
“We had to try it because we’ve been hearing about it through friends and all over the place,” Krishnapal said. “We will be coming back.”
McKinney’s H-E-B is the third to have a True Texas BBQ joint in North Texas, behind locations in Plano and Frisco. A fourth location will be in the new Allen H-E-B, which is slated to open before the end of the year.
Among the 329 H-E-Bs in Texas, just 25 have this barbecue joint — which has been around since 2014, first in Pleasanton, a small town south of San Antonio. H-E-Bs in North Texas open in Mansfield, Alliance and another in Frisco next, and each of those will also have a True Texas BBQ.
Related:BBQ at H-E-B: Inside the only True Texas BBQ in North Texas
All the meat is trimmed, seasoned and smoked on site daily with post oak wood, following traditional Central Texas style, and their sausage is made specially for the restaurant out of Bellville.
Customer favorites include the brisket, brisket beans and mac & cheese, Valenciano said. Though, the turkey, St. Louis-style ribs and sausage are also popular. Depending on the day, True Texas BBQ in McKinney smokes between 550-775 pounds of brisket. That’s about 5,500 pounds of brisket each week.
“Brisket smokes overnight slow and low like BBQ should be,” said Juan-Carlos Rück, executive vice president of H-E-B.
‘A whole different environment’
Wayne White, general manager of the Hutchins in Frisco, said Hutchins isn’t worried about possible competition from larger chains like True Texas BBQ, as their BBQ is a staple for so many and a “destination” for others. As more development moves into the area and when other stores open, like the H-E-Bs, White said Hutchins only gets busier.
Even on weekdays a line crawls out the door and into the parking lot where smoke from the outdoor pits wafts in the air as people wait eagerly to get inside. On weekends employees hand out samples of sausage, beef ribs and other meats.
“We always want to think we’re a notch above — we’re a little biased — but it’s a whole different environment,” said White, who has been working for Hutchins since 1988. “More people come here from all over the world. We’ve become a destination.”
Roy Hutchins started the barbecue business out of his home in Princeton in 1978 before opening locations in McKinney and Frisco with his sons in 1991 and 1994, respectively, where it became a go-to spot for ribs and smoked brisket.
Some Hutchins customers, like Jay Olive, claim it’s the best barbecue around. Others find themselves standing in line for the second time in a few weeks— back for more.
Chad Thummel, a first-time customer at Hutchins, couldn’t get enough.
“There ain’t any chain that’s going to touch this,” Thummel said. “It’s impressive, and I haven’t gotten to the main course yet.”
Customers rave about the Texas Twinkies — a jalapeño wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cream cheese and chopped brisket, smoked and glazed — and the free dessert. Banana pudding, peach cobbler and ice cream are set out in the restaurant with spoons, so customers can help themselves.
“We’re one of the local favorites because you know you’re going to get great consistent food, great customer service, a great family environment, and who else gives out free dessert?” White said.
On slower days, 640 transactions are made while the weekend reaches well over 1,000 transactions. At the Frisco and McKinney locations combined, at least 30,000 pounds of raw brisket are smoked each week. Hutchins’ prime brisket is grass-fed, the chicken is cage-free, the turkey breast is all natural and all sausage is made in house.
“Starting with top quality meats, putting a lot of love and passion into it and surrounding ourselves with an amazing team… it starts with product and we trump that with the best BBQ experience starting with the pits outside and great customer service inside,” said Trey Hutchins, who owns the two Hutchins Barbeques in McKinney and Frisco with his brother, Tim Hutchins.
White added that great customer service comes from longtime employees who feel like family.
“It’s very family-oriented,” said AJ Dawson, who has been working at Hutchins for six years. “We’re a close-knit group.”
The pit master at the Frisco location has been smoking brisket for the company for 30 years. The kitchen manager has been there for 25.
“The BBQ is good, but the people are what really brings it back,” said Olive, who has been eating at Hutchins for eight years.
. Haeven Gibbons covers Collin County with emphasis on McKinney. She formerly worked as a summer intern with the Dallas Morning News Education Lab before receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Spanish from Texas Christian University in December. She previously interned for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and AM New York.
haeven.gibbons@dallasnews.com haevengibbons
Goats in my flower bed: McKinney neighborhood sees its share of unwanted visitors
Haeven Gibbonshttps://www.dallasnews.com/news/2023/06/22/goats-in-my-flower-bed-mckinney-neighborhood-sees-its-share-of-unwanted-visitors/
Residents of the Erwin Farms neighborhood in McKinney have sighted wild hogs, bobcats and coyotes, but earlier this month, a new animal made an appearance on their front lawns.About 40 goats chomped through flower beds around 6 a.m. June 11. The city received at least one complaint about the goats that morning, according to Kerry Simpson, director of code services for the city.The neighborhood is about a mile from Painted Tree, a development where a herd o...
Residents of the Erwin Farms neighborhood in McKinney have sighted wild hogs, bobcats and coyotes, but earlier this month, a new animal made an appearance on their front lawns.
About 40 goats chomped through flower beds around 6 a.m. June 11. The city received at least one complaint about the goats that morning, according to Kerry Simpson, director of code services for the city.
The neighborhood is about a mile from Painted Tree, a development where a herd of about 500 goats was brought in to graze overgrown vegetation within the community, said Mike Danielson, who lives in the Erwin Farms neighborhood.
Goats overrun McKinney neighborhood
MAP: Mel Fronczek
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“I guess the grass is greener on the other side,” Danielson said.
After they had their fill, the goats returned to Painted Tree on their own around 8 a.m.
“The company that owns the goats told me they have kind of an internal compass,” Danielson said. “When they left our neighborhood, they went back to where they came from and were all present and accounted for.”
Watch: Goats go grazing in McKinney neighborhood
About 40 goats graze on lawns in the Erwin Farms neighborhood in McKinney early on June 11. (Footage from Phuong Ly’s Eufy camera)
Calls to Danielson, who is part of the neighborhood’s advisory committee, started rolling in early that Sunday morning from concerned neighbors trying to figure out how to get their yards fixed. Some joked about having a cabrito barbecue.
Phuong Ly’s flower bed has seen better days.
Footage from his security camera shows the goats eating flowers and bushes in his front garden beds at 6:12 a.m. Ly said he was sad, disappointed and angry when he woke up to the damage, but Open Space TX, the company that provides the goats for environmentally friendly land clearing, according to its website, replaced his flower beds that same day.
“The company involved came over immediately,” Danielson said. “I met with them that morning, and they took care of the flower beds that got messed up and cleaned up the roads. They did a really good job.”
Residents in the neighborhood are used to the occasional visit from an unexpected animal.
In January, wild hogs tore up some Erwin Farms lawns. Construction in the area caused the hogs to move down the city’s greenbelt and into the urban areas, said Hannah Golden with animal services in a video by the city.
“This is typical nature,” Simpson said. “Any time that you build a new subdivision or structures in an area that’s typically been a wildlife habitat, you displace some wildlife and there are sometimes just a few growing pains with the wildlife figuring out where they need to go to get out of the community.”
Simpson said the city has received more reports of wildlife as development moves in. However, it’s usually new residents who will report seeing animals — like bobcats and coyotes — that have always been in the area, and with more people using security cameras, they are just now noticing these native animals that have been there all along.
Golden said most animal services calls are not about wildlife actively preying on humans, children or dogs, and there is typically no danger as long as people keep their distance, pick up any food on the ground and keep small dogs and house cats inside or on a leash.
“We’re trying to educate people that if you were to eradicate every coyote, you’d have other things coming in,” Simpson said. “Anytime that you remove any kind of wildlife, something else will come in and sit in its place.”
However, if a nocturnal animal is out during the day or an animal is causing damage to a property or bothering people or pets, animal services should be contacted to help with the issue, she said.
Other tips for keeping native wildlife away from residential areas, according to the city’s Good Neighbor Guide, include removing food sources like bird feeders, which can attract squirrels and raccoons; picking up outside water or food for pets; securing garbage cans; trimming overgrown plants; and planting gardens away from the house.
While goats aren’t native Texas wildlife, they can do considerable damage.
A goat will eat about 3% of its body weight a day, so for a 100-pound goat, that’s 3 pounds of vegetation, according to a video on Painted Tree’s website. “For a herd of about 100, that’s 300 pounds, so they will eat a lot of vegetation,” said Quincy Crow, who is the president of Open Space TX.
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