A new performing arts theater and entertainment venue could be in McKinney's future.

The city, along with the McKinney Economic Development Corp. and the McKinney Community Development Corp., has partnered with Starlight Entertainment to develop the new facility, according to a news release. The city announced Feb. 25 that the entities involved have signed a letter of intent.

The complex is expected to be located along SH 121, but a specific location has not been identified, MEDC President Peter Tokar said in an email to Community Impact Newspaper.

"At this time, we have just entered into conversations with Starlight and are currently working on selecting the ideal site as well as developing our support package for this project," he said in the email.

The theater is expected to be a three-story building with 2,000 seats, according to the release. Plans also include an 86,000-square-foot entertainment complex and a structured parking garage.

Tokar said this development will offer McKinney residents more entertainment.

“Arts and entertainment are an integral part of bringing life to a development,” Tokar said in the release. “We look at this project as a catalyst that will help bring business and industry as well as provide additional entertainment and culture to McKinney.”

Michael A. Jenkins, owner of Dallas-based Starlight Entertainment, said he believes this partnership will bring the best professional theater and touring Broadway shows to the area.

“We believe this will be a great addition to McKinney and will be a major attraction for this area,” Jenkins said in the release.

The city and the MEDC declined to provide further details or to release a copy of the letter of intent. Community Impact Newspaper has filed a public records request for the document.

Negotiations for the project are ongoing, and more information should be available in the next 60 days, Tokar said in an email.

Editor's note: The original post has been edited to correct an error. Peter Tokar is president of the McKinney Economic Development Corp.