Plano officials and the Dallas Stars organization met with residents on July 6 at The Shops at Willow Bend to discuss plans for a new $3 billion mixed-use development centered around a proposed 20,000-seat arena. The open house, attended by approximately 250 community members, aimed to address concerns regarding traffic, noise, lighting, and neighborhood impact related to the arena and surrounding commercial and residential elements.
The arena is a key component of a larger development project approved by the Plano City Council in May, which includes nearly 490,000 square feet of retail and restaurant spaces, office buildings, hotels, and up to 5,000 residential units. The project is supported by $700 million in public funds, primarily drawn from the city’s hotel occupancy tax and designated public improvement districts. City officials have projected that the development could generate $93 million in annual economic impact and create more than 2,000 construction jobs.
Despite these anticipated benefits, residents living near the site expressed apprehension about the potential disruption to their neighborhoods. Steve Bratton, who resides less than two blocks from the arena location near the Dallas North Tollway, voiced worries over increased traffic congestion, noise during events, and changes to neighborhood character. Others echoed concerns about the adequacy of parking, potential light pollution from arena lighting, and the capacity of local infrastructure to handle large crowds.
City transportation staff explained that traffic studies are planned to begin following the start of the school year. These studies will assess road and intersection capacity and identify necessary improvements, including lane additions, traffic signal upgrades, designated rideshare zones, and expanded pedestrian pathways. The city’s goal is to facilitate event-related traffic clearance within 45 to 50 minutes. Officials also outlined measures to prevent arena visitors from parking in nearby residential areas, including street parking restrictions that residents can petition for.
Dallas Stars CEO Brad Alberts acknowledged the community’s concerns, stating the team maintains ongoing communication with city officials and aims to balance fan experience with neighborhood preservation. “Their concerns are our concerns,” Alberts said, emphasizing the organization’s intent to avoid neighborhood congestion and disruption.
Responses among local residents were mixed. Some expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential economic growth and entertainment offerings. Others, including longtime neighborhood residents such as Rocky Rainbolt, worry about the proximity of the arena to homes and the impact on quality of life. Some residents criticized the communication process, noting that information about the project initially surfaced through social media rather than direct city outreach.
Members of the Plano City Council highlighted the open house as an initial step to gather community input and identify issues requiring further study. Council member Rick Horne indicated that additional meetings would follow, including a second in-person open house on July 14 and a virtual option available through July 22, to provide ongoing opportunities for public feedback before the project advances.