Stars New Arena Development Plans Hit Speed Bump

On Wednesday, Plano, Texas residents voted to reject Proposition A, a ballot measure that would have authorized new local venue taxes to help fund a new Dallas Stars arena. 

Voters turned down the measure, which would have funded a proposed arena and entertainment district at the Shops at Willow Bend. The proposition covered taxes on rental cars, hotel rooms, game tickets, arena parking and visiting players' game checks. 

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Reported concerns included added congestion in the community from hockey games, concerts and other events, long-term financial consequences for taxpayers, and the use of funds to benefit a private company.

The project still has other funding in place already securing  $700 million from Plano City Council toward the roughly $1 billion arena project. They have also reportedly secured up to $250 million in school district contributions toward redeveloping the Shops at Willow Bend site into a major entertainment district. The arena is part of a $3 billion redevelopment effort at the site.

The result removes one proposed funding source, but it does not appear to end the project or the Stars' plans to potentially relocate to Plano when their current lease expires in 2031. City leaders had said that if Prop A failed, they would look at alternate ways to fund the arena and could still explore other funding options, potentially including state assistance.

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