Prop A would provide $192 million for upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum and Frost Bank Center grounds, laying the groundwork for year-round rodeo attractions.
SAN ANTONIO — The county’s big showdown on how the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum will look on the east side takes place Monday.
Proposition A is on the election day ballot and you are the deciding vote.
$193 million of tax dollars would go into Proposition A to upgrade the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum.
County leaders say that money would come from venue taxes, including money from hotel and tourism sales, but it’s still tax dollars.
An additional 5% tax would also be added to car rentals in this proposition.
We spoke with locals who say while the idea sounds nice, they wanted more facts on these changes to bring economic success.
This includes the organization San Antonio growth for the eastside who didn’t take a stance on the proposition.
“Is there a way to incorporate improved infrastructure or improved mixed use in mixed income housing to allow for more green spaces, more restaurant and retail?” said James Nortey, SAGE CEO. “Currently, the way the Frost Bank Center is, a lot of folks never even come to the area unless they’re going to a Spurs game. We love our Spurs, but we don’t love with the lack of economic development in that area.”
On the other hand, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai wants to make sure the area doesn’t go downhill or to waste if the Spurs leave.
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo says it want to turn grounds into a year-round attraction to make more money on the eastside.
“If we can make that area around the county facility, which was supposed to be an economic generator, we need to fulfill that past promise that wasn’t met,” said Peter Sakai, Bexar County Judge.