Plano City Council green‑lit a $700 million public‑funded letter of intent Monday, putting a $1 billion arena for the Dallas Stars closer to reality. The plan targets The Shops of Willow Bend, a sports and entertainment district slated to open in 2031. Tom Gaglardi thanked Mayor Muns and council members for backing the move firmly today ahead.

The approval triggers a tax‑increment‑reinvestment zone covering Willow Bend and the Dallas North Tollway corridor, with a focus on Plano. A venue‑project resolution will be filed with the state comptroller to meet legal requirements for a special venue tax election. The district will host the Stars' arena, retail, restaurants, and residential units.

This move follows the Stars' 2026 announcement to leave the American Airlines Center when its lease expires in 2031. It mirrors the Mavericks' north‑Dallas arena plan, also slated for 2031, raising questions about downtown Dallas' sporting future. Losing both franchises could shift fan traffic and revenue across the Metroplex.

Franchise relocation would bring the Stars just 6 miles from their Frisco training base, down from nearly 23 miles to the AAC. Plano's plan also integrates public spaces and infrastructure, promising a modern hub for sports and commerce. The Stars' 2031 target aligns with their five remaining seasons in Dallas before a potential move.