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Residents hold signs against the proposed Dallas Stars arena during a Plano City Council meeting in Plano, Texas, Monday, November 9, 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anja Schlein\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
PLANO\u00a0\u2014 A week after\u00a0Plano voters denied funding for a proposed Dallas Stars arena<\/a>, residents brought both criticism and support of the project to council members Monday as city leaders consider the path forward<\/a> for the venue.\u00a0<\/p>\n By nearly 55%, Plano voters turned down<\/a> a slate of venue taxes to help fund the proposed arena in last week\u2019s election. Proposition A asked for permission to levy up to five taxes \u2014 fees on tickets, parking, car rentals, hotel rooms and professional sports teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n Voters against the ballot measure cited concerns over using public money for private benefit.<\/a>\u00a0The city would own the arena planned for the site of The Shops at Willow Bend mall and the team would lease it. Others had broader concerns about the arena, like traffic and crime. The vote was on the taxes, not on allowing the arena itself.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Stop the Stars Arena committee organized against Proposition A and brought the campaign to Monday night\u2019s council meeting, urging leaders to halt the project. They were countered by residents who asked the council to find a way forward, a sign the 45% of voters who favored Proposition A<\/a> are ready to secure the suburb its first major league sports team.<\/p>\n Related: Plano voters rejected Dallas Stars arena funding under Proposition A. What happens now?<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe project is a chance to keep our dollars here, our dining here and our weekends here in Plano,\u201d Matt Digges said to the council. \u201cIt\u2019s a chance to give our kids a reason to stay and commit to this city. \u2026 Don\u2019t let this opportunity pass us.\u201d<\/p>\n The Stars\u2019 representatives<\/a> have said the NHL franchise is committed to the project<\/a> and city officials have said there are other funding options to pursue, such as a project financing zone through the state Legislature.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some residents saw the election results as proof that Plano is no home for the Stars<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cI would like the council to take the result of this proposition as a sign that the city \u2026 should not lobby the state Legislature,\u201d Sean McKenna said to council members.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mayor John B. Muns listens during a Plano City Council meeting in Plano, Texas, Monday, November 9, 2026.<\/p>\n Anja Schlein\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Stop the Stars committee members<\/a> and other Plano residents brandished signs, printed on copy paper, that read \u201cPuck No\u201d under a splash of green and a hockey puck.<\/p>\n \u201cThe landowner and Stars owner could come up with the funds like any legitimate business investor would and the city should not provide a financial bailout for property developers,\u201d said Ramesh Shastri.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mary Gray has concerns about added traffic. The city is commissioning traffic studies<\/a> to review potential impacts and improvements.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThese are not simply lines on a traffic map. They\u2019re the roads I have to take in and out of my neighborhood,\u201d she said. \u201cResidents should not have to check an arena event calendar before they leave their home.\u201d<\/p>\n Plano leaders<\/a> have said the project can go forward without Proposition A.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Do Plano election results re-open door to Dallas for Stars? City leaders, team chime in<\/a><\/p>\n Ian Driscoll hopes it does, but not because he\u2019s a hockey fan.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c[The Stars] view Plano as the new economic belly button of the Metroplex, which, as a property owner in Plano, is extremely exciting,\u201d he told the council. \u201cThis is a possibility for further strengthening Plano as a destination<\/a> of choice for businesses, families and investment.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n He urged the council to consider other ways to fund the project.\u00a0<\/p>\n As the meeting ended, residents chanted \u201cPuck No,\u201d waving their paper signs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Council members did not respond to public comments Monday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a statement last week,\u00a0Plano Mayor John Muns said the proposed redevelopment \u201cremains an important opportunity<\/a> for our community.\u201d The city is \u201ccommitted to thoughtful reinvestment and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars as we consider what comes next,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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