By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
A proposal that could bring a future Dallas Stars arena to Plano is scheduled to take its first major public step next week as the Plano City Council considers a non-binding agreement tied to the redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend.
The Dallas Stars announced Tuesday that the organization has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) for a proposed sports and entertainment district centered around a future arena at the longtime Plano shopping center near the Dallas North Tollway.
The proposal has been submitted to the City of Plano and is scheduled for consideration during the Plano City Council meeting on June 8.
Major Redevelopment Proposed for Willow Bend
According to the Stars, the project is being pursued in partnership with Levin Holdings & Cawley Partners and Centennial, the ownership group behind The Shops at Willow Bend.
Plans outlined by the organization envision a mixed-use development that could include a new arena along with retail, restaurants, entertainment venues and public gathering spaces.
While the announcement generated widespread attention across North Texas, the proposal remains in its early stages. The agreement announced Tuesday is a non-binding Letter of Intent, meaning additional approvals, negotiations and development plans would be required before construction could move forward.
“This project would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our franchise,” Dallas Stars Owner, Governor and Chairman Tom Gaglardi said in a statement released by the organization. “We eagerly await the vote by the Plano City Council and look forward to continuing the conversation to be part of the redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend.”
Plano Mayor John Muns also commented on the proposal in the team’s announcement.
“Plano has built a reputation as a city that welcomes world-class partners and community-focused investment,” Muns said. “The Dallas Stars are an iconic North Texas organization, and we are encouraged by their interest as conversations move forward.”
Plano City Council member Dr. Shun Thomas said the city is already preparing for community input and traffic planning as the proposal moves forward.
“We are excited about this proposed project but also realize the impact it could have on the community and recognize there are concerns the city is committed to addressing in the coming months,” Thomas told TX3DNews.
According to Thomas, the city plans to host community open houses where residents can receive updates, ask questions and provide feedback on the proposal. Dates for those meetings are expected to be announced June 8.
Thomas also said Plano has begun interviewing traffic engineers to help evaluate the project’s potential impact on surrounding roads and infrastructure.
“When the mall was originally designed, it was planned for 8-10 million visitors a year, so the infrastructure to support activated spaces is in place, but we understand peak traffic for an event will need careful consideration,” Thomas said.
She added that the city expects to launch a project website on June 9 to provide updates and information to residents.
Plano Could Become Home to Major League Arena
If approved, the project would place a major professional sports venue at one of Plano’s most recognizable commercial properties.
Located near the Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike, The Shops at Willow Bend has long served as a regional retail destination. In recent years, however, the property has faced many of the same challenges affecting enclosed shopping malls across the country as consumer habits shifted and newer mixed-use developments emerged across North Texas.
The Stars proposal would introduce a dramatically different vision for the site, transforming it from a traditional shopping center into a mixed-use sports and entertainment district anchored by a professional sports franchise.
For Plano residents, the proposal could have implications far beyond hockey. Questions surrounding traffic, infrastructure, public safety, economic development and the future of the surrounding area are likely to become key topics as the project moves through the public review process.
The announcement also places Plano at the center of one of the most closely watched development discussions in North Texas. While the project remains in its early stages, city leaders will soon face decisions that could shape the future of the Willow Bend area for decades to come.
Part of Larger North Texas Arena Discussions
The announcement comes as North Texas professional sports teams evaluate their long-term venue plans.
One day before the Stars unveiled their Plano proposal, the Dallas Mavericks announced plans for a potential arena and entertainment district at the former Valley View Mall site in Dallas.
The Stars and Mavericks currently share American Airlines Center. While the Mavericks’ proposal would remain in Dallas, the Stars’ proposal could bring a future arena to Plano if approved. The Stars emphasized that the Plano project remains subject to additional approvals and negotiations, and Dallas officials have indicated they intend to continue discussions with the franchise regarding its future arena plans.
Council Vote Marks First Public Step
Many details of the proposal remain unknown, including financing, infrastructure improvements, development agreements and whether any public incentives could be involved.
Those issues, along with questions about traffic, economic development and the future of the Willow Bend property, are likely to become part of the public discussion as the proposal advances.
The June 8 Plano City Council meeting is expected to provide the first public discussion of the project and may offer additional details about the next steps.
Since relocating from Minnesota to North Texas in 1993, the Dallas Stars have become one of the region’s most successful professional sports franchises, making 21 playoff appearances and winning the Stanley Cup in 1999.
TX3DNews has reached out to Plano city officials and the City of Dallas for comment and will update this story as additional information becomes available
Editor’s Note (June 3, 2026): This story has been updated to include comments provided to TX3DNews by Plano City Council member Dr. Shun Thomas following publication.
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