The Plano mall that’s the subject of the Dallas Stars speculation is seeing more changes for some tenants.
North Texas Performing Arts is making plans to move out of The Shops at Willow Bend, according to a statement on its website. The arts complex, which once took over empty retail space at the mall, includes theaters and rehearsal studios.
“North Texas Performing Arts is working proactively as redevelopment plans emerge for The Shops at Willow Bend, including the possibility of a new professional sports arena,” the group said on its website. “We have been requested to make plans to leave the Shops at Willow Bend to make way for this redevelopment.”
The landlord told the organization a few weeks ago in a meeting that they’d have to make plans to leave the mall, Darrell Rodenbaugh, CEO of the NTPA, told The Dallas Morning News.
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“While this is a major change for us and it creates some very real challenges, we want to do everything we can to work cooperatively and constructively to support this redevelopment plan,” Rodenbaugh said in a YouTube message.
Plans now call for the group to relocate outside the property within the year, Rodenbaugh said.
Mall co-owner and operator Centennial declined to comment.
Amid those changes, Crayola Experience at Willow Bend also has closed “temporarily” again, according to its website. While it had been closed earlier this year, it had reopened recently — but that hasn’t continued at this point for the crayon-focused family event center, a key draw at the mall.
Willow Bend, a mall that’s been struggling, has become the subject of speculation as a potential new home for the Dallas Stars. The City of Plano “has been in earnest discussions” with the NHL hockey team for the past year regarding the site. The News first reported in October that the Stars were eyeing Willow Bend as the site for a more than $1 billion arena.
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The NTPA must secure a new home before it can exit its current spot, Rodenbaugh said on YouTube. The NTPA created a task force for a new home last year.
The track record as a tenant already has generated interest from potential partners, Rodenbaugh said, while signaling a temporary home may be suitable.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of the City of Plano, our landlord and our extraordinary volunteers, patrons, donors and staff,” Rodenbaugh said.
The Plano arts complex serves about 11,000 youth enrollments annually and welcomes nearly half a million visitors each year. It represents a large swath of Plano’s non-school performing arts space.
“For 35 years, we’ve been a vital part of the community, and this doesn’t change our commitment to our mission,” Rodenbaugh said in the message. “Our doors will remain open. Our programs will continue. We’re not interrupting plans. We’re going to keep doing what we do, and keep putting shows on our stages.”