Two open houses this month will give Plano residents a first look at plans for a possible arena and mixed-use district
Plano leaders are asking residents to show up and sound off before the city moves any further on turning The Shops at Willow Bend into a sports and entertainment hub.
Two open houses this month will give the public its first real look at what’s being considered and a direct line to the people making the call.
What’s Actually On The Table
The idea centers on a new multipurpose arena that could become the Dallas Stars’ future home, surrounded by a broader mixed-use district called The Bend, with retail, restaurants, housing, public gathering spaces and infrastructure upgrades.
The concept isn’t finalized, but the groundwork is already moving. During its June 8 meeting, Plano City Council signed off on a non-binding Letter of Intent with the Stars, an incentive agreement with Levin Holdings and Cawley Partners and the creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) covering Willow Bend and nearby land along the Dallas North Tollway. The district, a partnership between Levin Holdings, Cawley Partners and Centennial, would only apply to non-residential parcels along the tollway corridor — the TIRZ boundary doesn’t touch residential property.
Council also approved a Venue Project Resolution, a required step under state law before the city can call a special election asking voters to authorize venue-related taxes.
“Plano has built a reputation as a city that welcomes world-class partners and community-focused investment,” Plano Mayor John Muns said. “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.”
Photo: City of Plano
According to developer Steven Levin of Levin Holdings, the property has been viewed as a strong candidate for a large-scale mixed-use redevelopment for years. The vision is to turn the aging mall into a destination that blends sports and entertainment with shopping, dining, offices and housing while creating a new community hub for Plano.
Where Residents Come In
City officials say public input is meant to shape the process, not follow it after the fact. Two in-person open houses will be held at The Shops at Willow Bend, with attendees directed to enter near Equinox and Crate & Barrel:
Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, July 14, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
For anyone who can’t make either date, a self-guided virtual open house will run from July 8 through July 22 on the Willow Bend District Engagement site. The city also plans to launch a dedicated project webpage that will be updated as things develop.
What Would Get Voted On
If the State Comptroller signs off on the resolution, as state law requires, Plano City Council would then consider calling a special venue tax election, tentatively set for November 3, 2026.
Voters would decide on a package of taxes tied directly to the venue: a short-term motor vehicle rental tax, a hotel occupancy tax, an event parking tax, an event admissions tax and a venue use tax on professional teams playing games in the arena. None of these would fund the project unless voters approve them; the revenue would go toward planning, land acquisition, construction and related infrastructure.
What Comes Next
Before anything gets built, the city still has to work through traffic modeling and mobility analysis to figure out how a new district would affect roads, intersections, parking and pedestrian flow in an already busy stretch near the tollway. That data, combined with resident feedback from the open houses, will help shape what comes back to council in the months ahead.
Don’t miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.