SAN ANTONIO – Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones of San Antonio is advocating for a public vote this November concerning the city’s financial contribution to the new downtown arena for the Spurs as part of the ambitious Project Marvel. This initiative has generated significant public interest and debate across the city.
The total estimated cost for the new NBA arena is approximately $1.3 billion, which will be funded through a combination of contributions from the Spurs organization, the City of San Antonio, and Bexar County. The city’s share is projected to be around $489 million.
Despite Mayor Jones’s push for a vote, several members of the City Council have expressed their opposition to putting the funding question back on the ballot. City residents had previously approved a ballot measure in November 2025 that pertained to the county’s contribution, but Jones argues that this did not encompass the full scope of the city’s financial obligations.
“Unfortunately, some of my colleagues are misleading the public,” Jones stated. “City voters have not voted formally on their $489 million contribution. That’s just a fact. November 2025 was about the county’s contribution.”
To gauge public sentiment, Jones held a listening session on Thursday, inviting residents to share their thoughts on whether a new election focused on the city’s funding should take place. While a city vote is not legally required, Jones believes it is essential for residents to have a say.
“City taxpayers will pay more than a county taxpayer,” Jones emphasized during the session, highlighting the financial implications for residents within city limits.
The topic of a potential second vote has sparked mixed reactions among attendees. Some, like Richard Robledo, expressed skepticism about the need for another election, stating, “We’ve already taken this vote before. There’s no need in doing this again.”
Conversely, others voiced concerns that the public was not adequately informed during the previous vote. “I feel like if you buy something at the store and they have scammed you, they have not told you the truth, you have the right to take it back,” said a participant named Mary, reflecting the sentiments of those who feel more information is necessary.
Online discussions echoed the division of opinions, with some calling for greater transparency and others outright opposing the additional vote. “Just think about it, they never addressed parking,” voter Elena G. remarked. “I don’t want one penny built in our bond for infrastructure for them, because they are not being fair to me, a consumer that has to watch my budget on a daily basis.”
Robledo also warned that repeatedly revisiting votes could undermine democratic processes: “If we voted every time we didn’t like the result, then we just continue to vote throughout the year.”
The City of San Antonio’s planned financial contribution of approximately $489 million is expected to derive from leasing land to the Spurs and private developers, along with property taxes and state hotel taxes. It’s important to note that these figures do not include the county’s portion of the funding.
Mayor Jones reiterated her stance, questioning the reluctance of some to allow city taxpayers to vote on city money: “I don’t know why folks are so scared of letting city taxpayers vote on city money.”
The mayor plans to continue engaging with residents, with another listening session scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday at the Northeast Senior Center. Additionally, a special City Council meeting has been called for Thursday, Aug. 13, to discuss the potential for a new vote on the funding issue.
