In light of the Allen Event Center's grand opening Friday, The Dallas Morning News colleague Ed Housewright examines the cluster of similar Collin County cities' struggle to stand out.

McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller puts it this way: "I believe that citizens are coming to expect a portion of their tax dollars be spent on quality-of-life type development." 

Read the full story here.

For full details on the Allen Event Center and the new Dallas Stars affiliated CHL team, Allen Americans, pick up Friday's Allen neighborsgo.