Downtown Celina is about to change shape. The city's economic development corporation has a draft master plan to turn the old grain silos on the Willock Tract into a creekside district with a brewery, food halls, a hotel and event space, and the new Downtown Center with its larger library is set to open in February 2027. Together they redraw the walk from the Square.
What is planned for the Celina grain silos?
The silos sit on the Willock Tract, a roughly 32- to 33-acre property near downtown along the BNSF railway and Oklahoma Drive, with Doe Branch Creek running through it. The Martinek family once operated grain silos there. According to Community Impact, the Celina Economic Development Corporation bought the land in 2024 for $13.5 million using half-cent sales tax funds, its first land acquisition.
A draft master plan dated Sept. 28, 2026 divides the site into five zones, as reported Oct. 2:
- Zone 1, closest to downtown and home to the silos: a brewery and biergarten, food halls and farm-to-table dining.
- Zone 2: three family-friendly restaurants with outdoor dining, creek access and space for live music.
- Zone 3, the center: a hotel, conference center and an event space or festival park.
- Zone 4: retail arranged around a central plaza.
- Zone 5: retail and office buildings with a rustic look.
A project representative described the hotel as one of downtown's first signature hotels. The design is meant to highlight the silos and the site's farming history.
Did residents have a say?
Yes. A community meeting on May 11, 2026 kicked off an online survey at projectwillock.com. At that meeting, consultants presented early options ranging from a hospitality-focused plan to one with low- and medium-density housing. Survey results showed residents wanted walkable restaurants, retail and outdoor space, and the recommended plan reflects that. Three alternative plans emphasizing hospitality, urban living and wellness were also prepared.
Why does Celina need this?
The honest answer is sales tax. In May, Community Impact reported that downtown businesses were generating less sales tax revenue than expected despite Celina's rapid population growth. The city's FY 2026-27 budget coverage put that in numbers: population grew 119% from 2022 to 2026, while sales tax is projected to grow only 71% over a similar span.
A creekside district with a hotel, food halls and event space is designed to give people more reasons to come downtown and stay longer. Consultants also said national operators will likely be needed alongside local businesses to support the infrastructure.
What happens next?
The CEDC was scheduled to present the draft to the City Council on Oct. 13, 2026. Once the plan is finalized, the team intends to pursue rezoning, infrastructure work and tenant recruitment. No construction date or total cost has been published, so this is a multi-year project.
What else is changing downtown?
The silos plan does not stand alone. Several other downtown projects are moving at the same time:
- Downtown Center: a five-story civic building with a public library of just under 20,000 square feet, roughly ten times the old library's space, plus rooftop community space, meeting rooms and city offices. Celina's budget coverage says it opens in February 2027.
- Downtown parking garage: nearly 400 spaces opened in October 2025 at a cost of $19.3 million.
- Historic buildings: on Sept. 8, 2026, council approved incentives for a $7.5 million plan to turn the Mayer Building at 313 W. Pecan St. into a two-story restaurant and to replace a former gas station at Ohio and Walnut streets with a two-story retail, restaurant and office building.
- Ousley Park: a downtown park in conceptual design, with the next design phase starting in November and council review expected in early 2027.
Is there anything to do downtown this season?
Christmas on the Square is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m., with performances, local artisans and an 8 p.m. tree lighting. Organizers list free park-and-ride shuttles from Celina High School and the downtown parking garage as parking options. The draft Willock plan specifically aims to align with events like this one, Cajun Fest and other events on the Square.
What does this mean for homes near downtown Celina?
Homes within walking or golf cart distance of the Square have always had a different appeal than the master-planned communities farther out. The silos plan, the library and the restaurant projects could deepen that appeal. Our agents at The Agency Dallas who work Celina are watching a few things:
- Walkability is the selling point. A creekside trail and dining district a short walk from the Square would be rare in a fast-growing suburb.
- Event traffic grows with success. Festival parks and hotels bring visitors. Buyers near Oklahoma Drive and the rail line should expect busier weekends.
- Timelines are long. The Mayer Building's incentive agreement calls for construction to start by Jan. 1, 2028. The silos project has no start date yet.
For context on the wider region, our neighborhood guides cover many of the North Texas communities we serve. Owners near the Square wondering how these plans affect value can request a home valuation. The Agency Dallas will follow the Willock plan as it moves to rezoning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Willock Tract in Celina?
It is a roughly 32- to 33-acre property near downtown Celina, along the BNSF railway and Oklahoma Drive, with Doe Branch Creek running through it. It holds the old Martinek family grain silos. The Celina Economic Development Corporation bought it in 2024 for $13.5 million using half-cent sales tax revenue.
What will be built at the Celina silos?
The September 2026 draft master plan calls for a brewery and biergarten, food halls, farm-to-table dining, family restaurants on the creek, a hotel with a conference center, an event space or festival park, and retail and office buildings around a plaza. The silos themselves are meant to anchor the design theme.
When will the silos project be built?
No construction date has been announced. The draft plan was scheduled to go before the City Council on Oct. 13, 2026. After the plan is finalized, the next steps are rezoning, infrastructure work and recruiting tenants, which typically takes several years for a project of this size.
When does the Celina Downtown Center open?
Coverage of Celina's FY 2026-27 budget says the Downtown Center opens in February 2027, with 11.5 new staff positions funded for its opening. The five-story building includes a public library of just under 20,000 square feet, rooftop community space, meeting rooms and city department offices.
When is Christmas on the Square in Celina?
Christmas on the Square is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. on the Downtown Square, with the tree lighting at 8 p.m. Organizers list free shuttles from Celina High School and the downtown parking garage. Check with the City of Celina for final details.
Sources
- Community Impact: Celina officials preview proposed mixed-use development near downtown (Oct. 2, 2026)
- Community Impact: Celina EDC plans mixed-use development for 33-acre tract (May 12, 2026)
- Community Impact: Celina council adopts $529M budget (Sept. 15, 2026)
- Community Impact: Celina officials complete parking garage (Dec. 2, 2025)
- Community Impact: 2 historic downtown Celina properties set for $7.5M in development (Sept. 9, 2026)
- Community Impact: Celina officials refine park plans (Oct. 6, 2026)
- Life in Celina: Christmas on the Square 2026
