The mayor cited significant information gaps and the need for more data before proceeding with the Spurs arena project.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones says she wants more data about the proposed sports and entertainment district known as Project Marvel before moving forward with the plan.
The mayor held a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss her call for an independent economic analysis. Last week, she urged that the city make a “strategic pause” on its negotiations with the Spurs.
Mayor Jones said the independent economic analysis will happen as the city council continues to work with the Spurs organization. Jones mentioned needing more clarification on several aspects of the project, especially pinning down an exact cost for the arena, which is currently estimated to cost between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion.
The mayor said she wanted the city council to do its due diligence before moving forward, referencing an analysis she and the city council received from CSL that showed “significant gaps” in Project Marvel. Jones called the 29-page analysis “inadequate” and wanted a more thorough understanding of the multi-billion-dollar vision.
The mayor mentioned a thorough independent economic analysis that was done in Philadelphia over their proposed arena for the 76ers. She said it highlighted critical questions Jones believes San Antonio should be asking, like whether the city can support two major arenas
Jones said that analysis conducted by CSL had a “thorough look at local market conditions as well as looked at the economic and fiscal impacts to the city, to the school districts as well as to the state. “
She said those questions and focal points should be included in Project Marvel.
“Those are all things that we can have, and frankly we should have, when looking at such a major investment in our community,” Jones said.
The mayor mentioned that this kind of analysis that she is calling for is the “starting point” for a conservation about allocating money within the city.
Jones cited upcoming factors and projects facing the city, such as rate increases from CPS and SAWS, 14 potential flood projects, and the implementation of the reconciliation bill.
“We don’t have endless resources,” Jones said.
Jones also mentioned previous projects, much smaller than Project Marvel, like Hemisfair, that suffered delays, changes and negotiations.
“We really have to ensure that we’re learning from those experiences as we tackle this momentous opportunity,” Jones said.
When asked about potential delays this analysis could cause, Jones said there was no impending timeline.
“We’ve got to have the data. There isn’t a hard and fast date at this point. We have, at the very least, the time to take another 60 to 90 days to ensure we have an independent economic analysis,” Jones said.
The mayor said the city council members seemed to understand the need for the analysis.
“Folk are on board with getting the information that is necessary,” Jones said. “That’s what the people of San Antonio deserve.”
The mayor said the independent economic analysis could be done before the November elections, depending on the scope of what the city asks for.
The mayor did not say who would be conducting the independent economic analysis.
“We have the time do this. There is no rush, so we should take our time and do this smartly,” Jones said.