The renovations are modeled after venues in Las Vegas and Fort Worth and represent an effort to create multi-use spaces amid plans for the Spurs to relocate.
SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County commissioners voted in favor of a plan proposing $197 million in renovations to the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum property.
Commissioners Court approved the expansion opportunity in a 4-1 vote, which comes amid continuing talks between the Spurs, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio to relocate the NBA team downtown.
Derrick Howard, executive director of Bexar County Community Arenas, and San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo CEO Cody Davenport presented the proposal Tuesday.
“A lot of those buildings are old, they’re becoming dilapidated,” Howard said. “They really shouldn’t be used. Part of it is, you’ve got to clean out to be ready for the new.”
The potential expansion includes three new and modified “flex” buildings which would include courts for pickleball and basketball, as well as additional space for events like conventions and trade shows. Those elements come out to an estimated cost of $119 million.
“Now we have the potential and opportunity to take those grounds down there and really make them vibrant on a year-round basis,” Davenport said.
There are also plans to modify Expo Hall 1, making it into a permanent show arena, with an estimated price tag of $35 million.
Precinct 1 commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores voted in favor of Tuesday’s proposal.
“We need to make sure that two staples of the community, which is the rodeo and the Freeman Coliseum, continue to be supported,” Clay-Flores said.
Additions to the center and surrounding buildings are hoping to kick-start potential year-round activities and even career and workforce events.
Flores says certain items like the venue tax will be up to voters.
“It’s up to the voters,” she said. “Its up to the constituents. It’s up to Bexar County residents to vote and say, ‘Yes, we’re going to use these visitor tax dollars.’ We are not raising taxes for our constituents, but the visitor tax dollars to go for these specific venues, they cannot be used for anything else.”
County commissioners will discuss the proposal further in a June 10 meeting.