Plano voters turned down Proposition A on Nov. 3, with 54.78% rejecting the measure that would have allowed the city to collect venue‑related taxes to help fund a new Dallas Stars arena and entertainment district at Willow Bend. In a recent conversation with the Plano Chamber of Commerce, Stars chief executive Brad Alberts made clear that the vote was not a decision on whether the team will move to Plano, but merely on the financing mechanism.
Team’s Commitment to Willow Bend
Alberts told chamber members that the Stars remain “all in” on the Willow Bend site. “We still are planning on it. I think the city’s planning on it,” he said. “This is not a vote for whether we’re coming or not. This is a vote for the mechanics of financing, and it allows the city to employ those mechanisms to help us pay for the infrastructure.”
Why a New Arena Matters
The Stars’ leadership points to soaring player salaries and the need for year‑round revenue streams beyond game nights at the American Airlines Center. “At no time has it been a better time to be an athlete,” Alberts noted, emphasizing that a modern arena can generate income from concerts, conventions, and other events, creating a 365‑day‑a‑year revenue model.
Financing After Proposition A
With the tax‑based financing rejected, the city and developers must consider other options. The $3 billion project, part of a larger redevelopment plan for the nearly 100‑acre Willow Bend property, will still require substantial capital for infrastructure, parking and public‑space improvements. Alberts said the Stars have hired engineering firm HNTP, with a representative based in Plano’s Granite Park, and are preparing to engage a construction contractor.
School District Involvement
Plano ISD has been slated to contribute up to $250 million through a tax increment reinvestment zone. Board President Dr. Lauren Tyra explained that the district expects the development to grow the tax base by more than $7 billion over the life of the investment, returning an estimated $188 million to classroom funding.
Mayor and Business Leaders Back the Project
Mayor John Muns highlighted Plano’s track record of attracting major employers such as JPMorgan Chase, AT&T, Capital One, Bank of America and Toyota. He noted that roughly 290,000 employees commute into Plano daily, with about 70,000 residing in the city, underscoring the community’s capacity to support a large‑scale entertainment venue. “To say that we’re unprepared for an opportunity like this is disingenuous; we have been prepared for something like this for a very long time,” Muns said.
Next Steps
City officials will now explore alternative financing mechanisms, potentially revisiting public‑private partnership structures or seeking state‑level incentives. Community concerns about traffic, parking and noise remain, and the city has previously held public open houses and studied roadway improvements to address those issues.
Alberts concluded his remarks with confidence: “Yeah, the Stars are coming to Willow Bend.” While the exact path to funding is still being charted, the team’s commitment and the city’s long‑term vision suggest the arena project remains a central piece of Plano’s future development strategy.
Original reporting: Local Profile (DFW) — read the source article.
