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Dallas Stars fans stand for the national anthem as the lighted star retracts to the rafters at the American Airlines Center.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON \u2013 As Dallas fought to keep the Stars and\u00a0Plano worked to lure them <\/a>north, Arlington also made a bid for the NHL franchise.<\/p>\n Mayor Jim Ross said Arlington pitched a plan to convert the former Texas Rangers ballpark into a hockey arena and held discussions with Stars officials before the team\u00a0ultimately chose Plano<\/a> for a proposed new arena and entertainment district.<\/p>\n Asked where Arlington envisioned the team playing, Ross answered: \u201cChoctaw Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Ross said Arlington viewed that as a ready-made option because of its existing infrastructure and central location in the region.<\/p>\n His comments, made during a joint interview this week with KXAS-TV (NBC5) and The Dallas Morning News, provide a glimpse into the competition among North Texas cities as the Stars weighed alternatives to remaining in Dallas.<\/p>\n Ross said Dallas is facing a rough stretch but remains well positioned to compete as growth and development spread across the region.<\/p>\n \u201cDallas has had an influx of things that haven’t gone their way right now,\u201d he said. \u201cBut don’t count them down and out. Dallas is a strong city. They’re going to do just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Arlington Mayor Jim Ross.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n The Stars last week unveiled plans for a new arena and mixed-use development at the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, a move that would take the franchise out of Dallas when its lease at the American Airlines Center expires.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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