After a three-hour discussion that included heated resident comments, San Antonio City Council voted against holding a November election on a Project Marvel ballot item.
A special meeting was called Aug. 13 to consider an election on the city’s $489 million contribution to Project Marvel. The meeting followed a push by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones to give city residents a say in the deal, one year after Bexar County voters approved the county’s ballot item. Jones did not comment on the proposed ordinance during the meeting.
While the 2025 county election was required because of the use of venue tax funds, the city’s funding mechanisms for its contribution were not required to go before voters.
City Manager Erik Walsh said the city plans to fund its contribution through lease payments from the Spurs and other private development, property tax revenue from the Hemisfair area and hotel tax revenue recouped from the state. Walsh noted that the Hemisfair area currently generates no property taxes and will not do so until development occurs.
When Council members asked what would happen if funding requirements could not be met, City Chief Financial Officer Troy Elliot said certain benchmarks would have to be met before any city bonds could be issued.
Sukh Kaur, Phyllis Viagran, Marina Alderete Gavito, Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, Misty Spears and Marc Whyte voted against the November election. Jones and council members Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Edward Mungia, Teri Castillo and Ric Galvan voted in favor.
Those supporting the election argued that residents deserved another opportunity for public input, particularly because the project has changed over the past year. Changes include the loss of one hotel development and the potential loss of a land bridge.
Opponents argued that San Antonio residents make up a majority of Bexar County voters and that those who supported the county proposition would have supported a city proposition.
Spears (District 9) said 72% of voters who cast ballots in the county election were city residents. She also noted that voters in seven of 10 council districts supported the county proposition in 2025.
Citizen comments
Over the previous two weeks, Jones hosted five community listening sessions that generated grassroots support for an election.
On Monday, residents both for and against the election delivered more than two hours of public comment.
James Anderson, chairman and chief executive officer of Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, said “uncertainty has a cost” and that delays or complications could increase construction costs or alter the overall project.
“San Antonio has an opportunity to make generational investment in the heart of our city,” Anderson said.
Spurs Chief Executive Officer R.C. Buford said the team has worked to listen and cooperate with the city, county and community. Buford highlighted $165 million in economic activity generated across the city during the NBA Finals earlier this year.
“Last November, the voices of San Antonio and Bexar County were heard,” Buford said.
Graciela Sánchez, executive director of Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, advocated for a November election. She said no one was trying to refute the county vote but that city residents should have the opportunity to weigh in on city-specific funding.
“What we are asking is to allow San Antonio residents to vote on whether the city should contribute $489 million to the arena,” Sánchez said.
Christine Drennon, associate professor in the Trinity University Department of Sociology and Anthropology, called the process “fatally flawed since the beginning” and criticized city officials for being timid or closed-lipped about Project Marvel.
Drennon also pointed to conflicting information being distributed to residents and called for greater public involvement in the sports and entertainment district.
“Show us why it is a good deal, and we will support you. But, so far, you haven’t done that,” Drennon said.
The vote
Last August, San Antonio City Council approved a term sheet for the arena in a 7-5 vote. Between that vote and the Aug. 13 election vote, Mungia (District 4) was the only council member to change his position, voting in favor of the November election.
“I did vote for the term sheet, and I think it is okay to support that and to support the vote to make sure residents are okay with the city’s number on that,” Mungia said.
McKee-Rodriguez (District 2) has been vocal in his opposition to Project Marvel, arguing that the East Side of San Antonio will get the short end of the stick and that the arena could require the city to sacrifice district-specific infrastructure projects in the upcoming bond election. He also pointed to budget challenges that have led the city to cut departmental staff and services.
“I believe we can do two things: we can invest in those beautiful shiny projects that we need, and we can also recognize those problems that will ultimately conflict with our ability to address the larger issues,” McKee-Rodriguez said.
Kaur (District 1) voted against a November election, saying she is focused on issues raised by her constituents. She said the project’s cost and scope have not significantly changed and that the changes do not warrant another election.
“I am a resident of the city, and I am also a resident of Bexar County, so when I am going to the ballot and voting, I am voting SAISD, I am voting for the city of San Antonio, I am voting for Bexar County and Alamo Colleges,” Kaur said.
Ultimately, Council rejected the November election.
The decision does not resolve every issue surrounding Project Marvel. Although the term sheet and county proposition have been approved, San Antonio voters will vote in May on infrastructure bonds related to the downtown district.
NW IN’s calling.