‘It’s probably already a done deal’: Residents share their thoughts on the Willow Bend District development for the Dallas Stars

Plano residents have mixed feelings about the new Dallas Stars planned for construction at The Shops at Willow Bend.

Here’s what some of them told Community Impact after the city’s second open house event July 14.

What they are saying

Mark Coffman is a Plano resident and sports fan. He said the images the city showcased at the open house excited him.

“I don’t go to a lot of Stars games, but the fact is that if I still live here whenever this thing gets done, the idea of being able to get to a game close is kind of cool,” Coffman said.

For Coffman, the new restaurants and a well-planned development could mean a new area for people to hang out after sports events.

“Yes, taxes may go up a little, but do it the right way and it will work,” he said.

Other residents who have lived in Plano for decades had positive views about the city's presentations, noting the presence from public officials, but still had concerns about traffic and environmental impact for older trees in the area.

The other side

Plano residents like Damon Mosley appreciated the renderings presented at the open house but still have concerns about the traffic that could come to the neighborhood.

“I’m not sure I understand the whole aspect of how it’s going to affect the neighborhood,” he said. “Am I going to still be able to go drive to Home Depot pretty quick, like I do now, or Target?”

Mosley said he’d need more information to come from the city and developers before deciding how he feels about the project.

Plano resident Mike Forner lives near the Dallas North Tollway, or DNT. He said a feasibility study won’t change his mind about the project.

“I don’t need to know how bad the traffic is, I take the tollway. You can hit the tollway going northbound, I’d say near the Galleria going north at 3 [in the afternoon], it’s packed like every day. Same thing going south,” he said.

Forner expressed disappointment with the City Council, who he said are the “guardians” that should be looking out for residents.

“It’s probably already a done deal, truth be told,” he said. “They’re going to say, ‘We want to hear your voice, it’s transparency.’ ... They want to do that so they can say, ‘Hey, we did our homework, and everything’s going to be fine.’ But it does not add up.”

The background

The new arena and mixed-use development will be partially funded by property and sales tax growth in a new zoning area Plano City Council approved June 8.

Sales and property tax growth in the zone, a nearly 900-acre area along the DNT, will go toward some of the construction costs for the development, per previous reporting. The funding for the project will not impact the current property tax rate for residents.

Developers who were also present for the open houses said the Stars will be under a 30-year lease, which they believe will provide the development with stability per previous reporting.

Plano officials are still developing a final project and finance plan to be adopted at a future council meeting. Residents may also have the opportunity to vote on additional taxes that would be applied to visitors and activities at the venue, per previous reporting.