San Antonio, TX, August 19, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has urged city officials to pause the negotiations for a new downtown arena with the San Antonio Spurs, citing the need for an independent economic analysis and more public meetings. This request conflicts with the City Council majority, who wish to proceed with the project known as Project Marvel. The council is set to vote on whether to move forward with the current terms or delay for further evaluation, raising essential questions about funding and the project’s future impact on the city.
San Antonio
Mayor Calls to Slow Spurs Arena Negotiations; Council Majority Pushes Forward
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has asked city officials to pause consideration of a proposed deal for a new downtown arena with the San Antonio Spurs, setting up a potential confrontation with a City Council majority that supports moving ahead with the project, known as Project Marvel.
At a news conference on Aug. 11, the mayor directed City Manager Erik Walsh to add an agenda item requesting a delay in City Council consideration of the Spurs’ term sheet until a new, independent economic analysis is completed and additional public meetings are held. Five council members, however, requested that the term sheet be added to the agenda for a vote, putting the mayor’s request and the council’s push for a decision on a collision course.
Key financial terms and structure
The term sheet produced by Spurs Holdings, LLC estimates the new arena’s construction cost at approximately $1.3 billion. The planned financial contributions outlined in the term sheet include a mix of private, county, and city funding:
- $500 million committed by the San Antonio Spurs
- Up to $311 million from Bexar County, contingent on voter approval in November
- Up to $489 million from the City of San Antonio
In addition to the arena itself, Spurs Sports & Entertainment has proposed a surrounding development valued at $1.4 billion, which would include private investment components intended to create a larger sports and entertainment district. A proposed community benefits agreement tied to a 30-year lease has been increased to a value of $75 million, up from an earlier $60 million proposal.
Dispute over economic analysis and process
The mayor has expressed concerns about earlier financial analyses performed by consulting firms CSL International and Stone Planning LLC, questioning their depth and reliability for a decision of this scale. City staff have defended the selection of CSL, citing ethical safeguards and noting that CSL did not produce a projection of the arena’s specific financial impact.
The mayor’s effort to pause negotiations first surfaced during a lengthy council meeting on Aug. 6, when she attempted to halt progress but was rebuffed by council colleagues. After the Aug. 11 press conference, the mayor spoke to constituents at a District 10 budget town hall; that appearance included a procedural dispute in which one council member sought to limit the mayor’s remarks on the arena.
Upcoming vote and potential outcomes
The City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to proceed with Project Marvel as currently proposed or to delay a decision until an independent economic impact study is completed and additional public engagement is held. The outcome of that vote could have significant consequences for the future location of the Spurs and the timing and scope of the proposed arena and surrounding development.
What is at stake
Key decisions facing city officials include whether to accept the current term sheet, whether voters in Bexar County will approve county funds in November, and whether additional independent analysis will change the financial assumptions used by city leaders. The project would reshape downtown San Antonio through a combination of public dollars, private investment, and negotiated public benefits.
What happens next
The immediate next steps include the City Manager’s scheduling of an agenda item about whether to delay consideration of the term sheet, follow-up public meetings if the delay is authorized, and a potential independent economic impact study if the council and mayor agree to pursue one. If the council instead moves to vote on the term sheet without delay, the project may proceed to the next stages of negotiation and public review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project Marvel?
Project Marvel is the name given to the proposed new downtown arena project put forward by the San Antonio Spurs and Spurs Holdings, LLC, including a stadium estimated at $1.3 billion and an adjacent $1.4 billion private development.
Why has the mayor asked to delay negotiations?
The mayor has requested a delay to allow time for an independent economic impact study and additional public meetings, citing concerns about the depth and reliability of earlier analyses conducted for the city.
How much would the arena cost and who would pay?
The term sheet estimates the arena at about $1.3 billion, with proposed contributions of $500 million from the Spurs, up to $311 million from Bexar County pending voter approval, and up to $489 million from the City of San Antonio.
What is the community benefits agreement?
The Spurs have proposed a community benefits agreement valued at $75 million over a 30-year lease, an increase from an earlier $60 million proposal.
When will the City Council vote?
The City Council will vote on whether to proceed with Project Marvel as proposed or to delay consideration until an independent study is completed; the timing depends on the council agenda and any motions to add or postpone the term sheet.
Key Features of Project Marvel
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated arena cost | $1.3 billion |
| Spurs contribution | $500 million |
| Bexar County funding | Up to $311 million (voter approval required) |
| City funding | Up to $489 million |
| Surrounding development | $1.4 billion private development proposed |
| Community benefits agreement | $75 million over 30 years |
Timeline of Recent Events
| Date | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 6 | Mayor attempted to pause negotiations during City Council meeting | Motion rebuffed by council members |
| Aug. 11 | Mayor held news conference asking to slow negotiations and requested agenda item to delay consideration | Mayor directed City Manager to add agenda item |
| Aug. 11 (later) | Mayor spoke at District 10 budget town hall; procedural dispute occurred | Councilman attempted to limit the mayor’s remarks |
| November (upcoming) | Bexar County voter decision on funding share | County funding contingent on voter approval |
| Pending | City Council vote on whether to proceed or delay until independent study | Decision will determine next steps for Project Marvel |
Financial Breakdown — Simple Visual
Simple Poll / Statistics (Illustrative)
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio City Council to Vote on Spurs Arena Funding
Mayor Proposes Pause on Spurs Arena Funding Decision
San Antonio Mayor Urges Delay on Arena Funding Vote
Mayor Calls for Delay on Spurs Arena Funding Vote
San Antonio Mayor Calls for Economic Study on Arena Funding
San Antonio City Council to Vote on New Spurs Arena
San Antonio Council Prepares for Vote on Downtown Arena Project
24-Year-Old Arrested for Threatening San Antonio Mayor
Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Secures $22.6 Million Financing for Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
San Antonio Spurs Invest Over $1 Billion in Project Marvel
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Express-News: Mayor Committee Chairs
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Spectrum Local News: Council Votes on Spurs Arena
- Google Search: San Antonio Spurs Arena
- KTSA: Mayor Pushes for Independent Review
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Urban Development
- News 4 San Antonio: Ortiz Jones Delay Project Marvel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gina Ortiz Jones
- San Antonio Current: Jones Wins Mayoral Race
- Google News: San Antonio News
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
