Plano Advances Arena Planning as Residents Press for Answers on Traffic, Neighborhoods

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

PLANO, Texas — The Plano City Council approved a $320,000 traffic study Monday for a proposed entertainment district, but residents argued the city is moving ahead before answering key questions about traffic, neighborhood impacts and the cost to taxpayers.

Council voted 8-0 to hire engineering firm Freese and Nichols to study traffic around the Willow Bend area, where city leaders are exploring a redevelopment that could include an arena. Staff said the study is intended to identify potential traffic impacts and mitigation strategies. It does not authorize construction.

Residents who addressed the council said the study is too limited and is being conducted after major decisions have already been made. Some questioned why taxpayers are funding work they believe primarily benefits private developers and the Dallas Stars, while others argued the analysis leaves out neighborhoods they expect will see the greatest traffic impacts if redevelopment continues.

After nearly 20 minutes of public testimony and council discussion, the council approved the contract on an 8-0 vote.

Residents Question Scope and Cost

Plano resident Jack Lagos told council members the study should not be funded by taxpayers if private interests stand to benefit the most.

“Who’s going to get the benefit of that?” Lagos asked. “It’s going to be the developer… The other party that’s going to get the benefit of that is the Stars. So my comment is why aren’t they paying for it? Not us.”

He also argued the city should have completed the traffic analysis before making major financial commitments tied to the entertainment district.

“You do the study first. Then you decide from that study what you do next,” he said. “You went with the money. Now you’re doing the study.”

Resident Diane Williams said the study overlooks several neighborhoods and does not account for other approved developments expected to add traffic before any arena is completed.

“We would ask you tonight to redesign the traffic study so that all of the development can be taken into account,” Williams told council.

Lita Barrow urged council members to create a citizen task force so residents have a formal role as planning continues.

“It is a win-win situation,” Barrow said. “It’ll address the concerns. It’ll address the lack of trust.”

Study Limited to Initial Phase

City staff said the contract covers only an initial phase focused on the immediate project area and portions of the surrounding transportation network. While the study is intended to identify potential traffic issues and neighborhood concerns, it is not a final transportation impact analysis.

Consultants said the analysis extends east of the Dallas North Tollway to Parkwood but not to Preston Road. Expanding it farther east would require a contract amendment or separate agreement, though consultants said a broader review could be considered during later phases of planning. Additional public meetings are also planned before the preliminary phase is complete.

Investment Priorities

The proposed entertainment district surfaced again during discussion of infrastructure improvements in Plano’s historic Douglas neighborhood.

Council unanimously approved a pilot project using federal Community Development Block Grant funds to remove or bury unused communication lines. Residents welcomed the effort but said it addresses only a fraction of the infrastructure improvements the neighborhood has sought for years.

Douglas Community Neighborhood Association President David Evans contrasted the city’s investment in the entertainment district with the pace of improvements in one of Plano’s oldest neighborhoods.

“We found $700 million to give to the Stars,” Evans said. “But we can’t find a million dollars a mile for the Douglas community.”

City staff said the Douglas project is intended to determine whether federal funding can support similar infrastructure improvements elsewhere but noted no broader underground utility project has been approved.

Council Approves First Responder Drone Program

Council also approved a five-year, approximately $1.44 million Drone as First Responder program for the Plano Police Department.

Police officials said drones will launch from city facilities and can reach emergency scenes in as little as two to three minutes, providing live video, thermal imaging and real-time information before officers arrive. The department said the program is designed to improve response times, situational awareness and officer safety.

Although Monday’s vote authorized only a traffic study—not construction of an arena—residents made clear they expect questions about traffic, neighborhood impacts and public spending to be answered before the city considers additional approvals.