SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council is at a pivotal point as it navigates the future of the city’s partnership with the Spurs and the potential development of a new arena. While an official deal with the team remains to be finalized, a group of council members is urging a proactive approach to planning how to allocate $75 million that is set to be received from the Spurs.
The foundation of this financial commitment lies within a non-binding term sheet approved by council members last August, which outlines a $1.3 billion arena project. As part of a “community benefits agreement” (CBA), the Spurs have pledged $2.5 million annually over the course of a 30-year lease. This funding is intended for community-oriented projects, although specific spending plans have yet to be determined.
Council members Sukh Kaur (D1), Teri Castillo (D5), and Marina Alderete Gavito (D7) are advocating for a structured discussion among the full City Council regarding the best ways to utilize this funding. Kaur has been particularly vocal about her proposal to establish a commission of community members to solicit input and recommendations on spending priorities.
On Thursday, the three councilwomen filed a memo requiring a discussion by the council, requesting that it occur no later than August 7. Kaur envisions the funds being directed toward essential community needs such as housing, transportation improvements, and upgrades to nearby parks.
However, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has expressed skepticism regarding the significance of the $2.5 million annual allocation in light of the city’s overall $4 billion budget. Yet, Kaur contends that this funding represents an opportunity for the city to address community needs that are currently unallocated.
“It’s money that is not going to fixing a street or a sidewalk. This could be for whatever the community really wants. And so we believe their voice should be the ones at the table making those decisions,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process.
Kaur’s proposal to address the CBA funding has been in development since December, although it has faced delays in the committee process. Recent discussions among council members regarding the arena deal and broader plans for a sports and entertainment district have reignited interest in moving forward with her proposal.
In conjunction with the upcoming council meeting, the trio of councilwomen is also seeking to establish a comprehensive process to gather input from various stakeholders, including artists, labor representatives, small businesses, and neighborhood groups. This input would be instrumental in shaping any agreements related to the entertainment district.
“Councilman Castillo is leading a group of artists who are actually going to talk about what they really want to see,” Kaur noted. “And that’s one thing I’ve heard a lot of, is that whatever happens with the entertainment district, it needs to represent the culture and the feel of our community.”
