The Dallas Stars' plans for Plano move forward
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An initial rendering of what the Stars' entertainment district could look like. Rendering: Plano City Council presentation.
After sharing arenas for decades and a recent legal battle, the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars are one step closer to moving out of American Airlines Center by 2031.
Why it matters: Both teams are moving north. But the Mavericks are staying in the city, while the Dallas Stars are taking a greater risk and moving to Plano.
Catch up quick: The Stars intend to build a sports and entertainment district in the Shops at Willow Bend area. The project would include an arena, entertainment venues, shops, restaurants and homes.
The latest: The Plano City Council on Monday approved the team's non-binding letter of intent to move to the city, along with an incentive agreement and tax increment reinvestment zone along the Dallas North Tollway.
- The city would contribute $700 million through the tax reinvestment zone and other public funding as long as the arena costs at least $1 billion to build.
- The city would own the arena, which would also be used for concerts and Plano ISD graduations.
- Property tax rates would not be affected by the project, city officials said.
What they're saying: "This project would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our franchise," Dallas Stars owner and governor Tom Gaglardi said in a statement.
Yes, but: Some residents are concerned the Stars' move to Plano would bring more traffic and drastically change the city's suburban identity.
- The property's owners had initially planned to convert the traditional indoor mall into an open-air shopping center resembling the high-end Shops at Legacy.
- "The neighborhoods surrounding Willow Bend were built around the expectation of a suburban residential environment, not a regional sports and entertainment venue," resident Renee Elgersma told the council at Monday's meeting.
What's next: The council plans to call a special election in November and ask voters to approve taxes on short-term motor vehicle rentals, hotel bookings, event parking, event admissions and venue use.
- If approved, the taxes would help pay for the construction of the arena and related expenses.
- The city is also planning virtual and in-person open houses in July for residents to share their opinions about the project.
The bottom line: Mayor Pro Tem Rick Horne reminded residents that the city has a long way to go before finalizing a deal with the Stars.
- "We want to protect all the neighborhoods here, but we also still want to be a vibrant, relevant city in the future. We don't want to be turned into one of the tired cities that you see surrounding us, including some of the larger cities," Horne said.