A dispute between Plano ISD and the company that constructed the district's performing arts center has reached a proposed settlement.

School Board President David Stolle said following the March 13 school board meeting the terms of the agreement are not being revealed at this time because it has not been finalized.

The Robbie & Lynore Robinson Fine Arts Center was set to open in December 2021, but the opening was delayed due to “significant cracking as a result of poor workmanship and/or design." A timeframe for the full opening of the center remains unavailable.

In February 2022, the law firm Peckar & Abramson P.C. filed a lawsuit in Collin County’s 471st District Court that alleged construction company McCarthy Building Companies Inc. was not paid for the balance of its contract to build PISD's performing arts center, along with change orders.

The breach of contract lawsuit further alleged delays were caused by the district not having the necessary permits for construction as well as weather issues.


In all, the lawsuit asked the district for $11.5 million in damages in connection with work on the 82,200-square-foot facility at 1800 Alma Drive.

An agenda item for the proposed settlement approved by the school board cites pending litigation and names McCarthy Holdings, XL Insurance Company and North American Elite Insurance. Additional details are not listed.

The arts center project is part of a total $481 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2016 and was billed as a venue that would host hundreds of performances every year by fine arts students in grades 7-12.

Among the highlights of the fine arts facility are a 1,502-seat main stage auditorium, the black box-style studio theater, a dance/rehearsal studio, an outdoor Performance Lawn and the Legacy Gallery art showroom.