Could the Dallas Stars actually move to The Shops at Willow Bend? Why? When? Here’s what we know so far: <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In sports news, rumors about the Dallas Stars moving to Plano have filled many a chat room from area residents and DFW sports fans alike. While that decision is far from confirmed and contingent on a number of factors that will play out in the coming months to years, here\u2019s what we know so far.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re eyeing The Shops at Willow Bend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For years, shop owners and property managers have been discussing redeveloping The Shops at Willow Bend, a mostly dead mall in an otherwise pretty developed and highly frequented area. In 2024<\/a>, new owners Centennial came to Plano\u2019s Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss redeveloping the mall into The Bend<\/a>, which would maintain anchor stores and add green spaces, multifamily housing, single-family housing and through streets.<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate the Planning & Zoning Commission\u2019s positive feedback on our updated vision for The Shops at Willow Bend and look forward to continuing the process with the City Council in the coming weeks,\u201d Michael Platt, executive vice president of mixed-use development at Centennial, said in February. \u201cOur goal remains to transform The Shops at Willow Bend into a vibrant, walkable destination that thoughtfully integrates retail, dining, entertainment, residential, hospitality and office use into a well-curated and compelling environment for the greater Plano community.\u201d<\/p>\n The plan was approved by the Plano City Council shortly after.<\/p>\n What are the concerns about the stadium\u2019s placement in the Shops at Willow Bend?<\/p>\n Location: If the site plan has already been approved and construction has begun, where would the stadium go? What do the Stars say?<\/p>\n
\nAccessibility: While the shopping center is on the DART bus route, there are no train stops in that area. Additionally, Plano is set to vote to pull out of DART entirely in May.<\/p>\n