San Antonio, August 19, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has requested the City Council to postpone the vote on the proposed funding for the downtown Spurs arena, termed Project Marvel. She urges for an independent economic impact study to be conducted before advancing. The total funding request amounts to $1.3 billion, with contributions from the Spurs, Bexar County, and the City of San Antonio. The mayor aims to foster community engagement and clarify the terms of the project ahead of the council’s vote scheduled for August 21.
San Antonio
Mayor urges delay on council vote for downtown Spurs arena funding, calls for independent study
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has asked the City Council to postpone approval of funding terms for a proposed downtown arena for the Spurs, identified as Project Marvel, and to commission an independent economic impact study before the council proceeds. A council vote on a draft, non-binding term sheet is scheduled for August 21. The funding request for the arena totals $1.3 billion, with a proposed split of $500 million from the San Antonio Spurs, $311 million from Bexar County, and $489 million from the City of San Antonio.
The mayor is seeking broader community engagement through meetings in each council district and has criticized reliance on a study commissioned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment to determine potential benefits of the arena. To block movement on the current term sheet, the mayor needs support from five other members of the 11-member council. So far, District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and District 6 Councilman Ric Galvan have publicly aligned with the mayor’s call for a delay.
Key developments and next steps
- A vote on the draft term sheet is set for August 21.
- The mayor has advocated a “strategic pause” after registering a minority position during a City Council meeting on August 6.
- City Manager Erik Walsh indicated that five council members requested that the term sheet be added to a later agenda for a vote, creating uncertainty about council support for the mayor’s position.
- Voters in Bexar County will consider funding measures related to the arena in November, and several council members contend that voters should see the city’s terms before that election.
- Spurs Sports & Entertainment has stated commitment to ensuring no tax impact on families and to covering all construction overruns associated with the arena.
Context and points of contention
The draft term sheet, described as non-binding and outlining funding and operational details, has not been publicly disclosed. The mayor has argued that an independent analysis and district-level community meetings are necessary to assess the arena’s economic benefits and potential impacts before locking in terms. Critics of the mayor’s timeline argue that voters need clarity on the city’s terms prior to the November ballot, asserting urgency to advance the process.
The mayor used social media prior to a press event to encourage constituent support for her resolution seeking the pause and study. The forthcoming council meeting is expected to be contentious because of sharply divided views on proceeding without additional community input and an independent study.
Funding breakdown
The current funding proposal totals $1.3 billion. The planned contributions are:
- $500 million from the San Antonio Spurs;
- $311 million from Bexar County;
- $489 million from the City of San Antonio.
Uncertainties
Key uncertainties include the level of support among council members for delaying the vote, the contents of the draft term sheet (not yet publicly disclosed), the findings of any independent study if commissioned, and the outcome of November ballot measures that are critical to the project’s advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project Marvel?
Project Marvel is the proposed downtown arena project for the San Antonio Spurs that would be funded through a combination of contributions from the Spurs, Bexar County, and the City of San Antonio, totaling $1.3 billion.
What is Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones asking the council to do?
The mayor is asking the City Council to delay approval of the draft term sheet and commission an independent economic impact study, as well as to hold community meetings in each council district before advancing the project.
When will the council vote take place?
A council vote on the draft, non-binding term sheet is scheduled for August 21.
How much is the funding request and who would pay?
The funding request totals $1.3 billion: $500 million from the San Antonio Spurs, $311 million from Bexar County, and $489 million from the City of San Antonio.
What happens next if the council delays the vote?
If the council delays the vote, an independent study and district community meetings could be commissioned and scheduled; the council would then revisit the draft term sheet at a later date prior to any final decisions and prior to the November ballot measures.
Key features of Project Marvel funding proposal
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project name | Project Marvel — new downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs |
| Total proposed funding | $1.3 billion |
| Funding breakdown | $500M Spurs; $311M Bexar County; $489M City of San Antonio |
| Decision points | City Council vote on draft term sheet (Aug 21); Bexar County voter measures (November) |
| Requested additional step | Independent economic impact study and district community meetings |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| August 6 | Mayor registers minority position during City Council meeting | Council meeting record |
| Early August (before press conference) | Mayor used social media to rally constituent support for pause resolution | Mayor’s outreach activity |
| August 21 | Scheduled City Council vote on draft, non-binding term sheet | Council agenda |
| November | Bexar County voters to consider funding measures related to the arena | Election calendar |
What this means
The immediate implication for local residents is that the timing and terms of the proposed arena remain unsettled. If the City Council agrees to the mayor’s request for an independent study and district meetings, final decisions could be delayed beyond the current schedule and give residents more opportunities to weigh in. If the council advances the term sheet ahead of the independent review, the November ballot could proceed with the city’s terms in place, reducing the timeframe for public input.
Limitations and uncertainties include the undisclosed details of the draft term sheet, whether an independent study would alter projected benefits or costs, and the final composition of council support for either pause or advancement. The mayor must secure at least five additional council votes to block the current terms, and it is not yet clear whether that support exists.
Data, measures, and explanatory notes
Measure: Proposed funding amounts for Project Marvel. Timeframe: Figures and decisions referenced are current as of August council actions and planned November voter measures. Source: City and project disclosures and council communications.
Key trend or change: The funding model relies on a three-party contribution totaling $1.3 billion, with a significant share proposed from private (Spurs) and public (city and county) sources. Political attention has shifted to process questions—whether to pause for an independent economic analysis and broader community outreach before finalizing terms.
Methodology, caveats, and margins: The draft term sheet has not been publicly released, limiting the ability to assess specific fiscal terms, timelines, or contingency planning. The mayor has raised concerns about reliance on a study commissioned by the Spurs, and no independent study results are yet available. Voter outcomes in November are crucial but uncertain. All figures are based on the proposed allocations provided by project stakeholders and council disclosures; projections of economic impact would depend on any future independent analysis.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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
San Antonio Spurs Invest Over $1 Billion in Project Marvel
San Antonio Seeks Community Input on Project Marvel
San Antonio Launches Community Forums for Project Marvel
Ron Nirenberg’s Emotional Farewell as San Antonio Mayor
San Antonio Unveils Project Marvel: A New Era for Sports and Entertainment
San Antonio’s Ambitious Project Marvel Update
San Antonio to Enhance Infrastructure for Spurs Arena
Additional Resources
- KSAT: News Conference on Project Marvel
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- SA Current: Showdown at San Antonio Hall
- Google Search: San Antonio Spurs Arena
- News4SanAntonio: Mayor Seeks to Delay Project Marvel
- Google Scholar: Project Marvel Economic Impact
- Express-News: Delay Vote on Downtown Arena
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gina Ortiz Jones
- Spectrum Local News: Vote on New Spurs Arena
- Google News: San Antonio City Council Vote
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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