SAN ANTONIO — Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is intensifying her call for a “strategic pause” on the proposed new Spurs arena and downtown entertainment district, citing “significant gaps” in the financial plan.
During a news conference, Mayor Jones emphasized the need for a more comprehensive analysis of the project’s economic impact.
“The city manager, Erik Walsh, has agreed to get an ‘independent economic impact report’ that is more thorough,” she said.
To illustrate her point, Mayor Jones distributed a report conducted for the city of Philadelphia last year regarding the 76ers’ arena.
She noted that this report is more than twice as long as the one prepared for San Antonio, suggesting a need for a more detailed examination of the local proposal.
Despite this, San Antonio’s top tourism and hospitality organizations are rallying behind Project Marvel, calling the proposed Sports & Entertainment District a necessary investment to keep the city competitive.
In a recent joint statement, Mario Bass, president & CEO of Visit San Antonio; Michelle Madson, president & CEO of the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association; and Bill Brendel, president & CEO of the San Antonio Visitor Alliance, said:
As a city proudly rooted in hospitality and culture, San Antonio continues to thrive by investing in smart, visitor-supported development. The proposed Sports & Entertainment District represents an exciting and fiscally responsible step forward, driven by tourism income and designed to benefit our community for generations to come.
The leaders stressed that “this is not just a want, it is a clear and pressing need.” They pointed to other cities—including Washington, D.C., Forsyth, GA, and Houston—that are each investing more than $2 billion into similar districts, connecting major venues with pedestrian-friendly parks and attractions. Meanwhile, nearby Dallas and Austin are completely reconstructing their convention center campuses.
Without bold action,” they warned, “San Antonio risks falling behind as visitors seek out more dynamic and modern destinations costing our city jobs and tax revenue.
They also highlighted the need to expand the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, which operates at nearly 70% occupancy. Since 2019, the facility’s space limitations have resulted in the loss of 465,000 attendees and $716 million in economic impact. Adding 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, they said, could attract 1.7 million additional attendees and generate nearly $1 billion in added revenue.
“It is important to keep the process moving forward, which will generate more needed information and concrete facts so a final agreement may be publicly reviewed and discussed in the near future,” the statement concluded. “We strongly support this initiative as a win for tourism, a win for jobs, and above all, a win for San Antonio.”