- Stars name HNTB as lead design firm for their proposed Plano arena
- Plano council calls a Nov. 3 election on venue taxes tied to the project
- Read below for the 2031 target date and where Ottawa’s arena build sits
The Dallas Stars have picked the firm that will draw up their next home.
Dallas announced Monday that HNTB will lead the design of its proposed arena in Plano, the centerpiece of a mixed-use district planned west of the Dallas North Tollway on the site of The Shops at Willow Bend.
HNTB has done this at a high level before. Its sports portfolio includes venues built for the 49ers, Raiders and Bucks.
Owner Tom Gaglardi explained why the Stars landed there.
“The wealth of experience and knowledge that their team brings to the table will allow us to create the best arena in the NHL. Many of the premier facilities in professional and collegiate sports were designed by HNTB, and we are excited to begin the process for our new home in Plano.”
Take a look at the first images Dallas put out:
An HNTB spokesperson told NBC 5 those renderings only represent what the district could include, not a finished design.
Plano’s city council moved on the money side the same night, voting to call a Nov. 3 special election asking voters to authorize venue taxes for the development.
Proposition A bundles a car rental tax of up to 5 percent, a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax, an event parking charge and a ticket tax. City officials say the plan runs on venue revenue and leaves resident property tax rates alone.
American Airlines Center has been home since 2001, and that lease runs through 2031. Dallas wants the Plano building open the same year.
A second Texas market is in the mix too, with the league’s expansion focus settling on Houston.
Monday was an anniversary in Ottawa. One year ago the Senators reached their agreement with the National Capital Commission for roughly 11 acres at LeBreton Flats, and the sale still has not closed.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported that Michael Andlauer’s group agreed to pay $37 million for the parcel, with an option on four more acres it has not decided whether to take.
Team president Cyril Leeder was asked how the project is tracking a year in.
“We’re making good progress.”
Contaminated dirt is the holdup. Roughly 514,000 cubic metres of soil has to come out before crews can dig the underground parking, and Leeder put construction on the building itself at 30 to 36 months once it starts.
Of the two projects, Plano is the one with a date on the calendar. Voters decide Nov. 3.
