Plano city leaders have been briefed on the potential impact of a proposed Dallas Stars arena and entertainment district, with traffic, nearby homes and public safety among the main concerns surrounding the redevelopment.
Consultants presented their findings at a City Council meeting on Monday, 12 October, examining the feasibility of building the new venue at The Shops at Willow Bend in west Plano.
The proposal would replace much of the struggling shopping centre with an arena and a wider sports and entertainment district featuring restaurants, retail space, housing and other public amenities. The arena is expected to hold about 18,000 spectators.
Traffic modelling is being used to assess the effect of game nights and other major events on surrounding roads, intersections, parking and access to nearby neighbourhoods. The city has previously said the analysis will also consider pedestrian movement and the wider flow of traffic around the Dallas North Tollway.
Residents living close to the site have raised concerns about congestion, noise, lighting and the possibility of event-goers using residential streets. The latest review also considered how the development could affect nearby property values and the character of the surrounding area.
Dallas Stars arena plans face scrutiny over cost and impact
Plano’s police and fire representatives were also due to address whether the city would have enough staff and resources to deal with arena events while maintaining normal emergency services.
The wider project is estimated to cost about 3 billion dollars, with the City of Plano proposing to contribute up to 700 million dollars towards the arena. The city says the funding would be supported by venue-related taxes and future revenue from the redevelopment area rather than a direct property-tax increase for homeowners.
A special election is scheduled for 3 November, when voters will decide whether Plano can impose taxes linked to the proposed venue, including charges on hotel stays, event parking and admissions.
The Dallas Stars have described the district as a year-round destination intended to attract visitors even when no hockey game is taking place. The team’s proposed move from downtown Dallas to Plano is targeted for 2031, although the project still requires further approvals and agreements.
