Dollars from a venue tax would represent a pivotal piece of funding in the Spurs’ pursuit of a downtown move.
SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County voters will be asked to weigh in on whether venue tax dollars should be used to help fund a downtown San Antonio Spurs arena after Commissioners Court approved the ballot measure Tuesday afternoon, 4-1—just barely ahead of their deadline.
Commissioner Grant Moody voted against the ballot measure, which would fund 25% of the Spurs arena up to $311 million. The arena represents one of several anchor projects that make up the city’s dream of a downtown sports and entertainment district.
Venue tax money would also go towards shaping the future of the Freeman Coliseum and Frost Bank Center should the Spurs vacate. The team, whose lease at the Frost Bank Center ends in 2032, has already committed to providing $500 million for a new arena – expected to cost between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion – while the city could pitch in up to $500 million.
Commissioners asked for public comment on tax dollars to go to these developments or if they need to look at other funding options. Leaders listened to hours of comments in the morning before voting to approve the venue tax proposition, which will go before votes in November.
Venue tax is comprised of money generated through hotels and tourism sales.
Two ballot measures were up for consideration. One was for improvements to Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo facilities. The other for the development of the Spurs arena.
The maximum Bexar County can give to these projects in all is $450 million.
Echoing pushback by a San Antonio coalition the day prior, many residents who came to the Tuesday meeting to speak expressed opposition against using the venue tax for this purpose.
‘It is unconscionable that you want to give this money for an arena when we have people dying from infrastructure or lack thereof,” said Renee Oden from Macedonia Baptist Church and COPS Metro, referring to the deadly floods that killed 13 San Antonians in June. “Today you have a choice and it is simple… greed or the citizens of San Antonio.”
One resident was not opposed to the idea of a new Spurs arena, but said it should not include public funds.
“No Project Marvel doesn’t mean no Spurs arena, it means don’t do it the way the city wants to do it with public funds,” said Steve Versteeg. “Private businesses should fund their businesses with private funds.”
Some residents did speak up in favor of the plan, including the downtown development it will bring.
“This kind of a growth is exactly what San Antonio needs to continue thriving as a vibrant, forward-moving city,” said Carolina Calderon, who lives and works in downtown San Antonio. “I’m excited for what this means for our future, from job creations to increased tourism, to more reasons for residents like me to stay invested in a long-term place we call home.”