Plano residents shared their thoughts on the proposed Dallas Stars arena at a council meeting Nov. 9.
The meeting was the first since voters rejected taxes for the arena during the Nov. 3 election.
In a nutshell
Of 17 speakers, 11 spoke in opposition to the Stars arena. Four Plano residents shared support for the arena, while two asked city council to carefully consider their options.
Karen Dubrow, a Plano resident and chair of the Stop the Stars Arena Political Action Committee, said election results show the citizens of Plano reject using city funds for the arena.
"We reject siphoning dollars from successful businesses that are already in the zone to go to an arena instead of streets, parks, lights and our wonderful city staff," she said.
Residents opposed to the arena also shared concerns about confusing ballot language, an increase in crime and environmental changes to the Willow Bend area if an arena were constructed.
Residents in support of the arena voiced their love of hockey and the appeal of the arena compared to other potential outcomes, like apartments or a data center.
"What I think is so exciting is what the president of the Stars said on The Ticket when this project first became public, which is that they view Plano as the new economic belly button of the metroplex," resident Ian Driskell said.
The background
Plano City Council called the arena tax election in August, per previous reporting. Approval would have provided the city the option to implement the following taxes to help fund the arena:
Up to 5% short-term motor vehicle rental tax
Short-term hotel occupancy tax up to 2% of room price
Up to $3 per vehicle event parking tax
Up to 10% of each ticket price as an admissions tax
Up to $5,000 per game on a member of a major league team that plays a professional sports game at the venue
The arena would be part of a $3 billion redevelopment effort at The Shops at Willow Bend.
The city of Plano hosted open houses about the project in July. Eighty-four percent of open house participants listed traffic as a concern for the proposed arena.
To address traffic concerns, the city started a study with Fehr & Peers to find ways to mitigate transportation related to Stars games. Some roadway changes under consideration include new left-turn lanes, a new driveway to lead into the development and a new traffic signal along Chapel Hill Boulevard.
Looking ahead
While city officials did not address speakers at the meeting Nov. 9, Mayor John Muns and City Manager Mark Israelson released statements the morning after the Nov. 3 election. The city plans to reassess its financial approach for the project. Muns previously told Community Impact the city is working toward an agreement with the Stars to be completed in late November.
The mall is estimated to be demolished in February, per previous reporting.
