The No! Project Marvel coalition is urging officials to slow down on proceeding with the venture, citing concerns about financial framework and community impacts.
SAN ANTONIO — A coalition of community groups stood outside the Alamodome on Monday morning, speaking out against the $4 billion venture known as Project Marvel, stressing a community-centered vision is paramount before proceeding any further with finalizing plans for a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment district.
The coalition, calling themselves No! Project Marvel, are urging San Antonio city officials to postpone taking any action toward funding the project until an “impartial cost benefit analysis has been completed and presented to the public.”
“It’s 2025. We cannot afford for rushed planning,” said urban designer Paola Aguirre, one of several advocates urging the city to slow down.
The city has pitched the project as a long-term economic investment, highlighting the use of a Project Finance Zone that could generate $2.5 billion in revenue over the next two decades. The Spurs have pledged $1 billion toward the development.
Anywhere from $350 million to $500 million would be utilized by the city for the arena while Bexar County would contribute 25% of the arena project cost through funds generated by a venue tax, according to the presented financing structure during a city council meeting on July 25.
But critics argue that’s not enough and that economic projections alone don’t account for the broader impacts on neighborhoods and residents.
Aguirre said the city’s economic impact report falls short and called for more inclusive evaluation tools, such as a racial equity impact assessment.
“A community benefits agreement means nothing if it doesn’t include a racial equity impact assessment,” Aguirre said.
Opponents of the plan are also raising concerns about how taxpayer dollars will be used and whether those funds would be better spent addressing urgent community needs.
“Now is not the time to be spending our money on a new basketball stadium,” said Luissana Santibanez, of the Coalition for Dignified Housing. “We insist, invest all county taxes in the coliseum and Frost (Bank) Center. Keep the jobs on the east side and invest in community needs before a new stadium is built.”
Citizens are also calling on SAWS to postpone allocating $2.3 million to accommodate Project Marvel until after residents have the opportunity for public input on the pros and cons of the venture. They believe the money would be more beneficial for SAWS customers by addressing leaking infrastructure to prevent water losses within the SAWS water system.
Among the long list of groups a part of the coalition, Pueblo Over Profit, COPS Metro, Domestica Unidas, Historic Westside Residents and the Esperanza Center.
The coalition plans to continue their advocacy during Wednesday’s City Council meeting, where the future of Project Marvel will be a key topic of discussion.