Dallas Stars arena project draws scrutiny over a $250 million tax deal
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Plano ISD is set to send school tax dollars toward the Dallas Stars' $1 billion arena, and a post says the total could hit $250 million. Not everyone is thrilled.
Plano ISD is putting school tax money toward the Dallas Stars' new home, and the number getting all the attention is a big one.
A Front Office Sports post says the district plans to contribute $250 million to the billion-dollar arena, with the money coming from recapture.
Recapture is the cash property-rich districts send back to the state so it can be shared with poorer ones.
Plano has paid plenty of it over the years, so seeing it head to a hockey arena was bound to raise eyebrows.
The Plano City Council approved a tax increment reinvestment zone on June 8 that could provide up to $700 million for the arena at The Shops at Willow Bend.
The Stars would cover the rest of the construction costs.
How the school district fits in
Plano ISD's board approved joining that zone after a presentation on June 23.
The district will put in 50% of its captured appraised value for up to 25 years, and officials said residential property owners won't see new taxes because of it.
A cap on the total contribution was still to be set before the agreement starts, so the $250 million figure comes from the post, not a final district total.
Board president Lauren Tyra pointed to city ownership of the building, student access and the hope that the Willow Bend area finally gets the boost people were promised.
Fans are split on the idea
The timing adds fuel. Plano ISD has been projecting a $44.8 million budget shortfall for 2026-27.
One fan kept it simple and argued that tax dollars meant for classrooms should stay there instead of funding a stadium.
The Stars plan to break ground in 2028 and open in 2031, so this debate has plenty of runway left.
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