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Renderings of Project Marvel unveiled at San Antonio City Council meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Courtesy City of San Antonio and Populous<\/p>\n
On November 4, Bexar County voters will weigh in<\/a> on the controversial proposal to use public funds for a new Spurs arena and revitalize the Frost Bank Center. It’s been a highly debated topic, especially within the San Antonio City Council.<\/p>\n City council greenlit the next steps for Project Marvel<\/a>, a nearly $4 billion downtown sports and entertainment district\u00a0anchored by a new Spurs arena in Hemisfair, in August. The 4-7 vote came after San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones requested an independent economic impact study on the project. However, the term sheet was approved, which provides details on how the proposed $1.3 billion Spurs arena will be funded.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n And, some of that funding is up to the voters this November. Here’s what to know about Propositions A and B, according to the ballot from the Bexar County Elections Department:<\/p>\n Prop A and Prop B in the Bexar County election<\/p>\n Prop A: Bexar County is asking voters to use venue tax money to upgrade the Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. This proposition would fund about $191 million in improvements.<\/p>\n Prop B: Bexar County is asking voters to use an estimated $311 million from the venue taxes for the development, construction, or renovation of a new multipurpose arena designed primarily as the home venue for the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n What happens if Prop A and Prop B are approved, or not approved<\/p>\n If approved, Prop B would increase the hotel tax from 1.75 percent to 2 percent starting as soon as 2026. It would also authorize the use of an existing motor vehicle rental tax for the purpose of financing the new Spurs arena. If it fails, the current funding agreement (the term sheet) for a new downtown San Antonio Spurs arena will be terminated. This could mean the Spurs would have to reevaluate the\u00a0funding plans for a new arena.<\/p>\n If Prop A is approved, it would increase the hotel occupancy tax to a maximum rate of 2 percent and extend the rental car tax to help fund the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, renovation, and financing of the Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center, and other San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo facilities, according to the ballot. If it doesn’t pass, taxes will continue to go toward other projects and the funding for the repairs will need to be\u00a0sourced elsewhere.<\/p>\n Prop A and Prop B don’t have to both pass for either to get their funds.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Protesters gather at the Alamodome on Wednesday, August 6, to protest Project Marvel, the sports entertainment district being discussed by the San Antonio City Council.\u00a0<\/p>\n Zachary-Taylor Wright\/MySA<\/p>\n Critics who say Vote No on Prop B<\/p>\n Some residents have voiced their concerns surrounding Project Marvel<\/a>. At a protest against the proposed sports and entertainment district in August, several speakers raised emotional pleas for fair pay for employees who would staff the new spaces, pointed to broken promises of past stadium investments, and questioned the future financial risk and burden on taxpayers.<\/p>\n The COPS\/Metro Alliance<\/a>, a coalition of religious congregations, schools, and unions in the San Antonio area, says to vote no as the “deal prioritizes private profit over community needs and lacks true independent analysis.” On its website<\/a>, the COPS\/Metro Alliance listed five reason to vote against it. One the reasons the alliance listed was that public dollars should serve public purposes first \u2014 “neighborhoods, safety, streets, drainage, housing, and workforce\u2014not a new arena.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “History says: overpromise, underdeliver,” the alliance stated on its website. “Independent research across the country shows sports venues rarely deliver the broad economic gains promised. San Antonio deserves better priorities.”<\/p>\n Supporters of Prop B<\/p>\n The San Antonio Spurs have pumped nearly $2 million into their campaign to persuade voters for the new arena, according to the San Antonio Express-News<\/a>. The NBA franchise contributed $1.1 million to the Win Together political action committee, the Express-News reported.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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