Plano residents voted down Proposition A, the venue‑tax package that would have helped finance the city’s $700 million share of a proposed $1 billion Dallas Stars arena, according to Community Impact. With every precinct reporting, 56,061 votes (54.6%) were cast against the taxes, while 46,658 votes (45.4%) supported them.
The arena is a centerpiece of a $3 billion mixed‑use redevelopment planned for the Willow Bend Mall site, which also includes a $2 billion residential and commercial component. The tax package would have allowed the city to raise revenue through several mechanisms: up to a 5% short‑term motor‑vehicle rental tax, a short‑term hotel occupancy tax of up to 2% of the room price, an event‑parking tax of up to $3 per vehicle, an admissions tax of up to 10% of each ticket price, and a fee of up to $5,000 per game on a member of a major‑league team that plays at the venue.
Mayor John Muns issued a statement after the results, calling the Willow Bend redevelopment “an important opportunity for our community” and emphasizing the city’s commitment to “thoughtful reinvestment and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars” as officials consider next steps. City Manager Mark Israelson said the lack of voter approval means the financing approach must be reassessed before the City Council can move forward on any arena‑related actions.
Turnout for the November 3 election was robust, with 460,900 voters participating in Collin County – a 57.91% turnout of the county’s 795,862 registered voters – according to the same source. Earlier unofficial tallies showed similar opposition, with 54% of early voters rejecting the tax proposal.
The defeat leaves the city without the anticipated revenue stream for the arena, prompting officials to explore alternative funding options. Potential avenues include private investment, revised public‑private partnership structures, or scaling back the scope of the development.
What’s next: City Council is expected to convene in the coming weeks to review the financing shortfall and discuss possible alternatives. Residents will be invited to public hearings on any revised proposals, ensuring continued community input on the Willow Bend project.
Sources: communityimpact.com
