Voters Could Approve Frisco Arts Center, Spur Development

Voters could approve a $340 million Frisco Center for the Arts today.

Designed to enhance the city’s cultural appeal, the planned venue could include a 2,800-seat performance hall, a 400-seat theater, and creative spaces, the Dallas Business Journal reported. City officials expect to select a location by January and finalize development plans next summer.

The real estate savvy city of Frisco is known for attracting the Dallas Cowboys’ The Star mixed-use development, the PGA of America headquarters and the planned Universal Kids Theme Park. The city has partnered with Prosper Independent School District and Broadway Across America on the center. Prosper ISD will contribute $100 million to the project through its 2023 Performing Arts Center bond funds, with Frisco setting aside $160 million in public funding.

The city is also in discussions with Hall Group, which may contribute up to $20 million in capital support. The Dallas-based investor is already prominent in Frisco due to its Hall Park development, a mixed-use complex that includes a 19-story apartment development and a 16-story office building, across the street from The Star.

Local property taxes will not increase due to the public funding, which voters could approve in today’s election. Private and philanthropic funding sources are also expected to play a role in covering the costs.

The city’s letter of intent with Broadway Across America is key to the deal, City Council Member Tammy Meinershagen said.

“That is the equivalent of bringing the Dallas Cowboys to The Star. You have to have a major commercial player so that the venue can make money,” he said

Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, who owns a residential brokerage, referred to the planned center as “an investment in our community for 50-plus years.”

“We are known as Sports City USA, but we are kind of moving into our renaissance phase and really leaning into arts and culture,” he said.

— Andrew Terrell