The Dallas Mavericks have narrowed their focus to two locations in the city of Dallas for their new arena, but a decision may not be made until July 1.
In an interview with The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said, “We have identified, with the city, two city of Dallas locations that we are focusing all our time and attention on now, and hoping to bring one of them to success.”
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The two locations the Mavericks have zeroed in on are downtown and the Valley View Center property, a sprawling 110-acre site at the corner of Preston Road and Interstate 635.
The land where City Hall resides is one possible downtown location, but the city is still having conversations on whether to preserve or demolish the I.M. Pei-designed structure.
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No decision on the site for a new arena is imminent for the Mavericks, who plan to move into a new facility when their lease with the American Airlines Center expires in 2031.
Welts had previously said the team planned to announce the location of a new arena by the end of March. That timeline has changed.
“Right now, our hope is somewhere around July 1, the end of the NBA season, that we are in position to be able to make a decision,” Welts told The News.
“But a lot of that is out of our control, out of the city’s control. I’ve been out there saying first quarter [of the year] before. We are not going to make first quarter. Another two or three months after that,” he added.
“We want to open in 2031. That means we’re on the clock. Sounds like a long time, but for a 50-acre mixed-use entertainment district, an arena, public gathering places — we’re on the clock.”
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