The way Dallas Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts describes the team’s chances of leaving the American Airlines Center in 2031 for a new arena and entertainment district at the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano is simple.
“We’re engaged, and I think it’s a good analogy, and we’re working toward getting married,” Alberts said. “There’s a lot of work to do to plan the wedding.”
And he’s not exaggerating.
Funding hurdles and rising costs
Beyond securing funding for what Alberts estimates will be a roughly $3 billion project – supported by $700 million from the city of Plano, private investors, and debt – he says the issue that keeps him up at night, aside from the money, is traffic…