Overview:
Two provisions on Bexar County’s Nov. 4 ballot deal with funding for a new downtown Spurs arena and the creation of an Eastside rodeo and stock show district.
Bexar County voters will soon have their first opportunity to weigh in on public funding for a new downtown Spurs arena — through a Nov. 4 ballot measure known as Proposition B.
They’re also being asked to consider a major redevelopment of the Spurs’ current Eastside home — listed on the ballot at Proposition A — that would turn the Frost Bank Center, Freeman Coliseum and surrounding grounds into a year-round stock show and rodeo district.
To pay for both, the county wants voters’ permission to use what’s known as the venue tax, which is expected to produce about $503 million over the next 30 years.
The San Antonio Spurs’ owners, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and other supporters plan to campaign aggressively for both measures, with a PAC to help draw out voters in an otherwise low-turnout election.
Meanwhile critics who don’t want to see public money spent on a basketball arena, including the community activist group COPS/Metro Alliance and a new organization called No Project Marvel are rallying voters against Proposition B, but staying neutral on the rodeo projects.
San Antonio Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt talks to community members before a council vote. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report
COPS/Metro Alliance leader Mary Kuvany sports a “No! Project Marvel” sign while outside the council chambers. Credit: Amber Esparza for the San Antonio Report
The Nov. 4 ballot includes Texas constitutional amendments, revenue measures for some school districts and other local issues.
Early voting runs Oct. 20 through Oct. 31, and the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 6.
Here’s everything you need to know about before you vote.
What is Proposition B?
$311M for a new downtown Spurs arena
Local officials are proposing a new $1.3 billion Spurs arena that would move the team from the county-owned Frost Bank Center on the East Side, to a new city-owned arena near Hemisfair.
The county would only pay for a portion of the arena, $311 million, while the city of San Antonio would contribute $469 million, and the Spurs would pick up the bill for the remaining $500 million, plus any overages.
But Proposition B — authorizing the county’s $311 million — is significant because it’s the first and perhaps only time that voters will be asked to approve public dollars.
The city isn’t legally required to ask voters’ permission for its portion, though some are pushing to hold a separate vote on city money at a later date.
A rendering of the San Antonio Sports and Entertainment District. Credit: Courtesy / Populous
Approving Proposition B would set in motion plans for a broader downtown sports and entertainment district, known as Project Marvel. The Spurs would help the city buy land around the arena and help fill it with businesses, restaurants and housing.
Full details are laid out in this term sheet, which prohibits the Spurs from moving to another city for at least another 30 years if the new arena is built.
If Proposition B doesn’t pass, the term sheet is void. The team would have to decide whether to fund the new arena a different way, continue playing games in the Frost Bank Center until their lease ends in 2032, or break the lease and look for a new home.
What will Prop B look like on the ballot?
Here’s exactly what the ballot provision says:
SHALL the Commissioners Court of Bexar County, Texas be authorized
provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction,
renovation, and financing of a new, multipurpose arena designed primarily as the
home game venue for the San Antonio Spurs basketball team, and to be used for
other purposes including, but not limited to, facilities for semi-professional,
collegiate, and amateur basketball games, concerts, entertainment events,
community events, and conventions (the “Arena Venue Project”), and related
infrastructure, a venue project of the type described in and as authorized by Chapter 334, Texas Local Government Code, as amended (the “Act”) and as designated and
described by the County’s resolution dated June 10, 2025 (the “Resolution”); and
(i) to increase the County hotel occupancy tax to a maximum rate of two percent
(2%), for the purpose of financing the Arena Venue Project and approving the
Resolution, pursuant to Subchapter H of the Act, and if approved, the maximum
hotel occupancy tax rate imposed from all sources in Bexar County would be
17.00% of the price paid for a room in a hotel; and (ii) to authorize the use of the
existing County short-term motor vehicle rental tax at a maximum rate of five
percent (5%) on the gross rental receipts from the rental of motor vehicles in Bexar
County, pursuant to Subchapter E of the Act, for the purpose of financing the Arena
Venue Project, and approving the Resolution.
What does my ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ vote do?
A “yea” on Prop B authorizes the county to increase its hotel tax from 1.75% to 2% starting as soon as 2026, plus extend an existing rental car tax and designate the Spurs arena as a project for that money.
That money would be used to pay off debt issued to build the arena, as well as Prop B’s East Side projects.
A “nay” means the hotel tax rate would remain the same. The venue taxes would continue to finance old projects that have an outstanding balance of $334 million in principal and $138 million in interest. That debt is expected to be paid off by 2051.
If Proposition B fails, leaders could ask voters to extend or increase the venue taxes for use on other projects on a future ballot, but would need to get the projects approved by the state.
What is Proposition A?
$191.8M for an Eastside stock show and rodeo district
Proposition A provides funding for a reimagined Eastside coliseum district that focuses on year-round livestock and rodeo events.
The Frost Bank Center is already home to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each February, and the Freeman Coliseum hosts concerts, trade shows. and professional bull riding.
Both county-owned venues need expensive repairs and upgrades in the near future, county leaders say. But if the Spurs leave for downtown, they’ll also need a much bigger rebranding to make sure taxpayer’ investments are maintained and not abandoned like other cities’ old sports venues.
A May 27 presentation to county leaders lays out plans for new exposition halls in place of old parking lots, which could transition between livestock exhibits, pickleball tournaments, trade shows and more.
Bexar County says it could use the area to host an annual county fair, plus FFA and 4-H conventions, horse shows and other competitions to ensure it’s bringing in revenue year round.
What will Prop A look like on the ballot?
Here’s exactly what the ballot provision says:
SHALL the Commissioners Court of Bexar County, Texas be authorized
provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction,
renovation, and financing of a new, multipurpose arena designed primarily as the
home game venue for the San Antonio Spurs basketball team, and to be used for
other purposes including, but not limited to, facilities for semi-professional,
collegiate, and amateur basketball games, concerts, entertainment events,
community events, and conventions (the “Arena Venue Project”), and related
infrastructure, a venue project of the type described in and as authorized by Chapter
334, Texas Local Government Code, as amended (the “Act”) and as designated and
described by the County’s resolution dated June 10, 2025 (the “Resolution”); and
(i) to increase the County hotel occupancy tax to a maximum rate of two percent
(2%), for the purpose of financing the Arena Venue Project and approving the
Resolution, pursuant to Subchapter H of the Act, and if approved, the maximum
hotel occupancy tax rate imposed from all sources in Bexar County would be
17.00% of the price paid for a room in a hotel; and (ii) to authorize the use of the
existing County short-term motor vehicle rental tax at a maximum rate of five
percent (5%) on the gross rental receipts from the rental of motor vehicles in Bexar
County, pursuant to Subchapter E of the Act, for the purpose of financing the Arena
Venue Project, and approving the Resolution.
What does my ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ vote do?
A “yea” vote authorizes the county to increase its hotel tax, extend its rental car tax, and designate the Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Facilities as approved projects for that money.
A “nay” vote means those taxes would continue to go toward old projects, and the county would need to come up with other money to make repairs to those facilities.