Voters approve new Spurs arena and downtown, East Side developments
The voters of Bexar County have spoken, appearing in record turnout yesterday to vote in favor of Propositions A and B, which will include a new Spurs arena in downtown San Antonio. According to results, 56% of voters approved Prop. A, which will include development of the current Freeman Coliseum complex (including the Frost Bank Center), and 52% voted in favor of Prop. B, which includes the new Spurs arena as part of the much larger Project Marvel.
It may have seemed like a no-brainer to Spurs fans, but there was plenty of contention surrounding the projects, from who will be funding them — the Spurs had committed over $1.5 billion towards the arena and promised to cover any overhead, and well as provide extra allocations, such as public transport and affordable tickets — to Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones calling for further economic studies before making a decision. Ultimately, the voters spoke, the mayor released the following statement.
“The people of San Antonio have voted to approve the county’s contribution toward the proposed Spurs arena, and I will work to ensure this generational investment helps to revitalize our downtown and strengthen our city. Great cities are built through collaboration, persistence, and a willingness to keep working toward bold visions. Our urban core represents an opportunity to remake a vital part of our city—one that can drive economic activity, create quality jobs, and add affordable housing stock that our community desperately needs. I remain committed to working with my Council colleagues, City Staff, the Spurs, and with community leaders to develop a plan that ushers in an era of progress and affordability downtown.”
— Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones
The new arena will be at the former site of the Institute of Texan Cultures in Hemisfair Park, which is now temporarily located in Frost Tower downtown while a new site is being developed by the University of Texas – San Antonio. Project Marvel will also include a renovation of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, a new convention center hotel, residential, retail and park space, a massive renovation (completion?) of the cavernous Alamodome, a land bridge over U.S Highway 281 connecting the Alamodome to the rest of downtown, and the old John Wood Courthouse would be transformed into a large theater and live performance venue.
Prop. A will convert the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum grounds into a year-round stock show and rodeo, among other improvements aimed at revitalizing the East Side. It will be funded by the county’s venue and tourism tax, not local taxes.
The Spurs’ lease with the Frost Bank Center lasts through the 2031-32 season, and they are expected to fulfill it. Originally the SBC Center and later AT&T, the arena was the first one built specifically for the Spurs in San Antonio after they spent previous decades in Hemisfair Arena and the Alamodome. The Spurs won the 2003 championship in their inaugural season there, and while it has been a good experience for the team and fans, it has not succeeded in the original goal of bringing more restaurants and businesses to the mostly residential and industrial area about three miles east of downtown San Antonio. Hopefully, Prop. A will finally do just that.
