Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones surprised business leaders at a news conference by discussing Project Marvel’s future, urging a pause for an economic impact study.
SAN ANTONIO — Business leaders planned to make a stand to push Project Marvel forward Wednesday morning, but were surprised by the sudden appearance of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones at a news conference.
Project Marvel has been a hot topic across the city with a divide between the mayor and City Council members to make the Spurs arena and sports district a reality.
14 businesses and organizations across San Antonio had originally planned to be in front of City Hall at 9 a.m. Wednesday to show support for Project Marvel. The goal behind the news conference was to push for a positive City Council vote on their negotiated term sheet with the Spurs.
Mayor Jones unexpectedly showed up at the press conference and began talking with Spurs Jesus and business leaders about the contentious issue of Project Marvel and the potential for a new arena. She was not scheduled to be a speaker at the news conference.
Jones is pushing City Council to vote Thursday to pause the project’s process until an independent economic impact study is done. She says the strategic pause will end up better for the deal in the long run.
“I want a deal, that is why I am working so hard for it. If we do the things that I am asking for, more data for the people and more public engagement, people will vote for this in November,” Mayor Jones said at the podium of the news conference. “Fewer people will support it if they feel like they do not have all the data and are getting this rammed through.”
See some of her remarks at the Wednesday new conference below: