Frisco officials are asking voters to approve a $160 million bond to finance a controversial city-owned center for the arts.
With interest, the bond would cost local property taxpayers $308 million, according to the city’s own estimates—92 percent more than the dollar amount Frisco voters will see on the May 3 ballot.
Frisco property taxpayers are currently on the hook for $1.47 billion in outstanding bond debt principal and interest.
In addition to the $160 million bond, city officials are also asking voters to authorize spending sales tax revenue from the city’s Economic Development Corporation for the project, which falls under a Community Development Corporation purpose.
As proposed, the Frisco Center for the Arts has a total maximum project budget of $340 million.
The facility would include a 2,800-seat performance hall capable of accommodating large touring Broadway productions, and a 300 to 400-seat hall intended for use by Prosper ISD and community events.
“The City of Frisco has envisioned a performing arts hall for two decades,” said Mayor Jeff Cheney.
However, past proposals for the project have fallen through.
Then last fall, Frisco announced partnerships with Prosper Independent School District and Broadway Across America/Broadway Dallas to help fund the project.
Prosper ISD pledged to contribute $100 million from a bond approved in 2023 for a district performing arts center, while the other organizations committed to creating a “Broadway Frisco” series to reside in the facility.
On April 1, the Frisco City Council tentatively approved a facility operator for the project: Frisco Live, a newly created joint venture between Broadway Across America and Broadway Dallas.
Councilman Brian Livingston cast the lone vote against the deal with Frisco Live, noting that the venture was just created in November 2024 and “has no financial capacity beyond the $4 million they are initially contributing.”
“If the FCA doesn’t work out as planned and nobody else has any obligation to step in to help, it will be you the Frisco taxpayer that is left holding the bag,” Livingston posted following the vote. “Whether it’s the City, EDC, CDC or TIRZ #1 we are obligated to spend your money in a responsible manner.”
A group of residents organized as Citizens for a Smarter Frisco also has reservations about the project and has started a “Vote No” campaign.
Organizers say they are not against the arts, but they oppose the proposed funding mechanism, which is not how Frisco has structured other public-private partnerships.
“Most of our group very much supported the proposed arts facility that was a joint effort between the City of Frisco, Frisco ISD and Hall Park, which was much more in line with the city’s other successful partnerships like FC Dallas, the PGA and the Star,” the group posted online. “While others may try to tell you this is structured the same, it is absolutely not. Please go back to the drawing board and find a way to bring performing arts to the city in a responsible way.”
The group also noted that the performing arts center would be built on city-owned land directly adjacent to a development called Firefly Park, whose developers are the primary funders of a PAC supporting the performing arts center propositions.
Along with the arts center propositions, Frisco voters’ ballots will include a dozen city charter amendments and two city council positions.
Place 2 candidates are Burt Thakur, Sai Krishnarajanagar, and incumbent Tammy Meinershagen.
Place 3 candidates are Josh Meek, Jared Elad, Jerry Spencer, Gopal Ponangi, and Sangita Datta. Incumbent Angelia Pelham is not running for re-election.
Frisco city residents who are within the Frisco Independent School District will also be able to vote on three trustee positions.
Early voting starts Tuesday, April 22, and ends Tuesday, April 29. Voting hours vary depending on whether voters reside in Collin County or Denton County.
Election Day is Saturday, May 3.
