Voters reject tax proposal tied to plans for Stars' new arena

Voters in Plano, Texas, have turned down a tax proposal associated with the construction of a new arena for the NHL's Dallas Stars. In the recent election, over 54% of the more than 102,000 ballots cast opposed the measure that sought to authorize taxes on various services, including tickets and hotel rooms, to help finance up to $700 million in bonds for the planned $3 billion mixed-use development.

The rejected taxes were intended to support the city’s financial commitment to the redevelopment project at The Shops at Willow Bend, which includes the proposed arena. The mayor of Plano emphasized the importance of the redevelopment for the community and expressed a commitment to responsible management of taxpayer funds as future plans are considered. The new arena is designed to be city-owned, with the Stars planning to lease it for 30 years, aiming to relocate by 2031, coinciding with the expiration of their current lease at the American Airlines Center.