Community groups and labor unions gathered outside City Hall advocating for investments in education, housing and transportation.
SAN ANTONIO — A coalition of community groups and labor unions gathered on Labor Day, voicing cautious optimism about the future of Project Marvel, the plan to build a Spurs arena and entertainment district in the downtown area.
While some in attendance outright opposed the multi-billion-dollar venture, others expressed a desire for a Community Benefits Agreement that breaks down explicitly how the city plans to assist working class families through the project.
The groups include “The Schools Our Students Deserve Coalition,” which includes the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel Local 67, LiUNA Local 1095, Texas Organizing Project (TOP), Our Schools San Antonio, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). It also included several labor unions from the San Antonio area.
“If they can’t give you trust, if they can’t put it in writing, if they can’t have a commitment that’s accountable guess what, we not going,” said Tia Gibson of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP). “As a member of TOP’s housing campaign, I’ll tell you the thing we truly need is massive investment in more quality, truly affordable housing all across the city. I can’t tell you how many times I hear about people paying too much to live somewhere with mold, roaches and rats and the worst of all because they can’t find anywhere else to go so the ball is in your court.”
On Aug. 21, San Antonio City Council approved the financial framework for the $1.3 billion Spurs arena – a central Project Marvel component. The council accepted the “term sheet,” which calls for the city to pay up to $489 million for a new arena, the county $311 million and the Spurs half a million dollars (as well as cost overruns). But that agreement depends on Bexar County voters approving a venue tax election on Nov. 4 that would pave the way for the county’s contribution.
Others like San Antonio ISD teacher David Garza hope Project Marvel development leads to good paying union construction jobs, improved public infrastructure and enhanced public education.
“Whether through revenue sharing, tax revenue or direct investment by the Spurs and the City, we need a robust Community Benefits Agreement that delivers for students, teachers and school workers,” Garza said. “The huge increase in consumer spending, sports tourism and economic development downtown will lead to a boon for local businesses small and large. It should also lead to increased investment into the public schools that form our city’s beating heart.”
“This Labor Day, we ask that if Project Marvel moves forward, it also includes sensible worker protections, revenue sharing with SAISD, the creation of good union jobs, and a long-term investment into the working people of the community giving way to generational change,” Matthew Gonzales, President/Business Manager of Laborers Local 1095, said.
City leaders have been careful to say that San Antonio residents are not expected to be paying for the project. The $489 million from the city is expected be paid for via the issuance of bonds repaid through future Spurs lease payments, allocation of incremental property tax growth over time in the area and Project Finance Zone dollars. If approved in the Nov. 4 election the $311 million from the county’s venue tax would apply to hotels and rental cars, which are paid by tourists and visitors for the most part.