The Shops at Willow Bend has seen better days. Like many enclosed malls across the country, the upscale Plano destination has struggled to hold onto its identity in a retail landscape that long ago shifted beneath it. But on Monday night, the Plano City Council set in motion a plan that could dramatically rewrite what happens on that land, and what it means for the city surrounding it.
In a unanimous vote, the council approved a suite of agreements that mark the first concrete steps toward building a new multipurpose arena at the Willow Bend site, one that would anchor a larger sports and entertainment district along the Dallas North Tollway and serve as the future home of the Dallas Stars.
What The City Actually Approved
The June 8 meeting produced several distinct actions. The council approved a non-binding Letter of Intent with the Dallas Stars, an incentive agreement with developers Levin Holdings and Cawley Partners and the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) covering the mall property and surrounding non-residential parcels along the tollway. A Venue Project Resolution was also approved for submission to the State Comptroller, which is a required step before any venue tax election can be called.
The city’s financial commitment is substantial. Plano agreed to contribute $700 million toward what is expected to be a roughly $1 billion project, with the TIRZ structure funneling tax dollars collected near Willow Bend to back the necessary bonds. Crucially, the city of Plano would own the arena outright and enter into a 30-year lease agreement with the Stars.
Photo: City of Plano
The council also approved around $15 million in grants to the developer to cover the cost of tearing down the existing mall. Demolition is currently slated to begin in 2027.
“Plano has built a reputation as a city that welcomes world-class partners and community-focused investment,” said Mayor John Muns. “These actions are a significant first step as we evaluate the potential for a thoughtfully designed sports and entertainment district that reflects the priorities and values of our community.”
A District, Not Just An Arena
City leaders and developers have been careful to frame this as something bigger than a hockey rink. The vision includes retail, restaurants, residential units, public gathering spaces and other sports and entertainment venues.
The development partnership includes Levin Holdings, Cawley Partners and Centennial.
“The Shops at Willow Bend has long been in our sights as an ideal location for creating a vibrant destination that blends sports and entertainment, retail, dining, office space and housing,” said Steven Levin of Levin Holdings. “It’s an opportunity to reimagine this property as a place where the community can come together and where Plano can continue to grow and thrive.”
Photo: City of Plano
Voters Get A Say
None of this moves forward without clearing a few more hurdles. The Venue Project Resolution approved Monday must first receive sign-off from the State Comptroller. Once that’s in hand, the council can formally call a special election — tentatively set for Nov. 3, 2026 — putting the funding mechanism to Plano voters.
That ballot would ask residents to authorize several specific venue taxes: a short-term motor vehicle rental tax, a hotel occupancy tax, an event parking tax, an event admissions tax and a venue use tax applied to professional players competing in the arena. The proceeds would fund arena construction and related infrastructure.
City officials say resident input will be a central part of the process moving forward. Two in-person community open houses are scheduled inside Shops at Willow Bend this July:
July 8 — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
July 14 — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Both events will be accessible through the entrance near Equinox and Crate & Barrel.
For those who can’t make it in person, a self-guided virtual open house will run from July 8 through July 22 at plano.gov/WillowBendDistrict.
The city is also commissioning traffic and mobility studies to get a clearer picture of how a major entertainment venue could affect roads, intersections, parking and pedestrian access in the area.
For a city that has spent decades building a reputation around corporate headquarters and quiet suburbs, this is a different kind of swing. Whether Plano voters decide it’s the right one is still months away.
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