The search for the Dallas Stars’ next arena is gaining steam with word that a formal offer has been made to move the team north.
“It’s come to my attention through my own sources in the real estate world that there is a letter of intent, which is basically an offer to move the Stars up to Willowbend Mall in Plano,” said Dallas City Councilmember Chad West.
The Shops at Willow Bend is set to undergo a major transformation from an enclosed mall to an open-air, mixed-use district.
The parties potentially involved are remaining tight-lipped on any offer.
The real estate firm that owns the Shops at Willow Bend says it has no comment.
The City of Plano didn’t comment directly on it either.
In a statement, the City of Plano said:
“Plano is known to be attractive to national and international corporations, and we are home to numerous iconic brands. Due to the strong interest in Plano and competition within the region, we do not publicly comment on speculation or economic development projects until they are brought to Council for formal adoption.”
The Dallas Stars also declined to comment.
“They are called the Dallas Stars for a reason,” West said.
The City of Dallas, he says, is in ongoing negotiations with the Stars to keep them in Dallas once the team’s lease expires at the American Airlines Center in 2031.
“We’re working on what a possible conversion of American Airlines Center to be a hockey-specific arena would look like. The city manager understands that is a priority for the council to keep,” West said.
It’s unclear how long the potential offer stands, and no decisions have been made.