By mosaicredallas – Development Update | Janelle Rawlston – Plano & North Dallas Suburbs | MBA · Certified Senior Advisor · Relocation | Founder – Mosaic RE Group

A Timeline of Everything Coming Next for the $3 Billion Willow Bend Redevelopment

Here’s where things stand: a design firm is already on board, the mall’s remaining tenants have a hard move-out deadline this month, and Plano voters decide on venue tax funding this November. We’ve watched this story move quickly over the past few weeks, and if you live or own property anywhere near the Dallas North Tollway in Plano, we think it’s worth knowing exactly what’s confirmed versus what’s still riding on a vote.

We’ve been tracking this one since the original letter of intent back in June. Here’s what’s changed since then, and what to watch for next.

The Next Milestones for Willow Bend

Here’s the order things are moving, based on what’s confirmed so far — we’ll flag anything that changes as it develops:

• Now through August 31: If you drive by, you’ll notice the mall thinning out fast — Centennial has asked the remaining tenants to return their keys by the end of the month. Not everything is going dark right away, though: Crate & Barrel, Equinox Gym, the restaurant district, and the parking garages are staying open through the next phase.
• January 2027: Neiman Marcus, the last of the mall’s original anchor tenants, closes for good. Saks Global sold the store’s property directly to the developer as part of the transition — the end of an era for a store that’s anchored Willow Bend since it opened in 2001.
• Already happened, August 10: The Dallas Stars announced HNTB — the firm behind Empower Field at Mile High and Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium — as lead designer for a planned 18,000-seat arena, the same day Plano’s City Council voted 8-0 to send a venue tax funding package to voters. Two big steps forward on the same day.
• October 2026: Plano City Council is scheduled to get an update on development studies for the site — a smaller milestone, but one worth watching if you’re following the timeline closely.
• November 3, 2026: This is the date we’d circle if we were you — Plano voters decide on the venue tax package, pending sign-off from the State Comptroller, which city officials estimate could contribute up to $700 million toward the roughly $3 billion project.
• If the measures pass: infrastructure work could begin as early as 2027, phased so parts of the site stay open during construction, with the arena targeted to open by 2031 — timed to when the Stars’ current lease at the American Airlines Center runs out.

What This Means for You

If you own a home near Willow Bend or the Tollway corridor, the next twelve months are when this story gets tangible: storefronts going dark, construction fencing going up, and a real vote on the books. That’s worth factoring in whether you’re weighing a sale now or waiting to see how the November vote lands. If you’re curious what that timing could mean for your own numbers, our What’s My Home Worth tool is a good starting point.

If you’re house-hunting and want proximity to the future district as part of your search, our buying process walks through how we help clients weigh a moving target like this one against the rest of their must-haves.

The Local Reality

Deep local roots matter here — this isn’t an abstract headline for us, it’s a mall a lot of Plano homeowners know well, now visibly emptying out block by block. We’d also point out the honest counterpoint: more than 2,400 residents submitted public comments on this project, and the large majority were about traffic, not excitement. A project this size cuts both ways for property values, and we think that’s worth saying plainly rather than only selling the upside.

FAQ

What’s Happening Next With the Dallas Stars Arena in Plano? Over the next few months: remaining Willow Bend tenants move out by August 31, Neiman Marcus closes in January 2027, Plano’s council reviews development studies in October, and voters decide on venue tax funding on November 3. If the funding measures pass, construction could begin as early as 2027, with the arena targeted to open in 2031.

When Will the Shops at Willow Bend Be Demolished? The developer, Centennial, has confirmed demolition will happen in phases rather than all at once — tenants like Crate & Barrel and Equinox Gym are staying open through the next stage while other sections come down first, with site work potentially starting before the end of 2026.

Is the Dallas Stars Arena a Done Deal? Not yet. The project still needs State Comptroller sign-off and voter approval of the venue tax package on November 3. If voters reject the tax measures, city officials have indicated the broader redevelopment could still move forward, just without those specific funding tools.

Whether you’re watching this timeline because you’re weighing a sale near Willow Bend or searching for a home along the Tollway corridor, we’d love to help you make sense of it. Check your numbers with our What’s My Home Worth tool, look into Selling Your Home if timing is on your mind, or just reach out and we’ll walk through it together.

Let’s connect.

Blog Article by Janelle Rawlston | with Mosaic RE Group at Compass, Kaity Gonzalez and Kristi Stacy

Let Mosaic RE Group guide you through your next move, and make your experience seamless. Call us at 469-360-2161 or email us at mosaicregroup@compass.com.