Spurs Looking To Build New Stadium Downtown

[Trill Clinton]

Project Marvel needs to pass already. That area has been gentrified already so they might as well go all the way with it and get it done.

[ChumpDumper]

I think even Austin would consider building an arena if the Spurs were going in halfsies. The city here seems to be in a permanent holding pattern with the only real site of theirs where they could put one. Logistically it would be a disaster but the MLS stadium more or less is too. Round Rock/Wilco would probably fall all over themselves to make their own sports district near Dell Diamond or some stupid like that.

[baseline bum]

The establisment won this round, corporate bootlickers

In America the corporations win every round.

[vy65]

I think even Austin would consider building an arena if the Spurs were going in halfsies. The city here seems to be in a permanent holding pattern with the only real site of theirs where they could put one. Logistically it would be a disaster but the MLS stadium more or less is too. Round Rock/Wilco would probably fall all over themselves to make their own sports district near Dell Diamond or some stupid like that.

Shame they're redoing the convention center. That would have been a dope space for a downtown stadium.

[djohn2oo8]

This lady might be lynched if she's the cause as to why this team moved somewhere else.

But she shouldn’t be. That dumbass DOGE Texas adopted was always going to give a reason to drag feet on this.

[scott]

I’m sure either Seattle or Vegas would be happy to build a new arena for the Spurs, and that’s the bottom line. We can’t not do this, so dragging heels helps nothing.

While I hope this the Marvel deal gets done, this is a pretty cavalier approach to the situation. If you were in charge of negotiating, Holt Jr would offer zero and demand you pay for the whole thing.

[scott]

Also important to keep in mind, Vegas doesn't need to build an arena to attract the Spurs, they already have one (that wasn't built with any public dollars).

Since Vegas is the biggest threat, it makes sense to look to them as an example and the A's stadium project is a decent guide. It's roughly estimated at a $2B project, and the public is kicking in $380MM of that. The Spurs are getting a pretty sweet deal if they can get away with only paying 1/3rd... it's not totally unreasonable for the city to try to extract a little more out of them if they can.

Ultimately, the city absolutely cannot afford to this up, but don't lose sight that the Spurs ownership are primary beneficiaries of what is currently proposed.

[itzsoweezee]

What a stupid, sports obsessed country we live in. Absolutely bonkers that governments are willing to give handouts to billionaires. And the dumber the resident, the more willing they are to empty their pockets for this billionaire welfare.

[rjv]

there are more components to this project than just a Spurs arena.

[exstatic]

While I hope this the Marvel deal gets done, this is a pretty cavalier approach to the situation. If you were in charge of negotiating, Holt Jr would offer zero and demand you pay for the whole thing.

It’s reality, Scott. It’s also based on the situation today,where the Spurs have already offered a pile of money to the project.

[LeBowen]

What a stupid, sports obsessed country we live in. Absolutely bonkers that governments are willing to give handouts to billionaires. And the dumber the resident, the more willing they are to empty their pockets for this billionaire welfare.

I 100% agree, it's just that in this specific situation a city like San Antonio can't afford to lose it's only team, especially not with Wemby being the potential GOAT.

[rjv]

it's also important to remember that the funding mechanisms for Project Marvel, such as the PFZ and venue tax, can only be spent on these type of projects. realistically, compe ive projects that could be left out would entail some performing arts centers in the area such as the Magik's Children Theater and the San Antonio Philharmonic.

[tonight...you]

it's also important to remember that the funding mechanisms for Project Marvel, such as the PFZ and venue tax, can only be spent on these type of projects. realistically, compe ive projects that could be left out would entail some performing arts centers in the area such as the Magik's Children Theater and the San Antonio Philharmonic.

Didn't a younger Pau Gasol once turn down going to the Spurs because of it's poor opera scene?

[rjv]

Didn't a younger Pau Gasol once turn down going to the Spurs because of it's poor opera scene?

gasol is European and spent time in Los Angeles and Chicago. there was no way he was going to find any sort of performing arts in SA that would have compared. and SA has never placed an emphasis on the arts. i guess one could argue that the establishment of a vibrant downtown scene could be the catalyst for more traffic into these other performance venues. the completion of the Alameda renovation might help to restore some of the golden days of SA's place as a performing arts destination. i think the Tobin has come up short in that regard.

[baseline bum]

What a stupid, sports obsessed country we live in. Absolutely bonkers that governments are willing to give handouts to billionaires. And the dumber the resident, the more willing they are to empty their pockets for this billionaire welfare.

Agreed, but I know my tax dollars are going to billionaire welfare anyways so might as well gift it to a company I like (the Spurs). It's not like there is much opportunity cost when the city isn't going to do anything useful like subway / light rail or public internet with the money if they don't gift the Spurs an arena.

[CGD]

This isn't an altogether unreasonable position for the Mayor to take, but it's not like this came out of nowhere... why wasn't all of this work already done?

ing up a new arena for the Spurs is a sure fire way to find yourself completely blackballed from politics forever, tbh.

She inherited a really tough political situation. I want this project as much as anyone and the revitalized downtown that we desperately need and deserve.

But I also agree that her position is not unreasonable, especially after the moronic Trump Budget Bill that just passed in July. Reality is cities and states are gonna have to foot huge bills for a lot of shortfalls as a result of it. I don’t think the average American fully appreciates how deep those cuts coming are.

[Das Texan]

Considering 7 of 10 Council Members want this to proceed, its going to happen.

Just this idiot mayor delaying what is going to happen.

This is what happens when stupid San Antonio citizens dont ing bother to show up for an election (or pay attention to any debate).

[onechance87]

She won’t be able to stop it. They ran right over her at the last city council meeting.

Im just worried she might start campaigning against the project and influnce and motivate voters to go against it as well.So far
been seeing mixed reactions about it.

[exstatic]

Im just worried she might start campaigning against the project and influnce and motivate voters to go against it as well.So far
been seeing mixed reactions about it.

She’s permanently politically dead if she does that.

[talkspurs]

Echoing what Scott said, why didn’t the city run a feasibility study in the past several years the project has been proposed? Some of the content of Mayor David Jones Garcia’s proposed study (why the ITC site, can we support two stadiums) seems slap ish at best and dilatory at worst. If those are really SA’s concerns, then that’s work that should have been done way earlier in the project. And it’s hard to understand the criticism that Bexar county residents are paying for the stadium where the public portion is being paid by hotel and rental car taxes.

But keep playing stupid games SA. Let’s see how this turns out for you.

The money that this is being taken from can also be used for other things. I dont know what it currently pays for things (I am guessing bonds) but could be used for infrastructure, flooding control. I also am not against some things in it. Updating the dome I think is good.

[KobesAchilles]

The Spurs don’t even need a new arena. They just needed to actually build around the old one and have stuff to do. But being downtown will help as people can go to stuff before and after the game

[ChumpDumper]

The Spurs don’t even need a new arena. They just needed to actually build around the old one and have stuff to do.

There's no place to build unless someone is going to buy up and clean up all the industrial/warehouse properties around the FBC or bulldoze Willow Springs.

This is a rare opportunity to redevelop absolutely prime downtown property. If they want to be a tourist backwater they should just leave Hemisfair as mostly open space as a pretty monument to their timidity.

[KobesAchilles]

There's no place to build unless someone is going to buy up and clean up all the industrial/warehouse properties around the FBC or bulldoze Willow Springs.

This is a rare opportunity to redevelop absolutely prime downtown property. If they want to be a tourist backwater they should just leave Hemisfair as mostly open space as a pretty monument to their timidity.

I can see why they are building the new arena downtown. It makes sense. But when they first built the SBC Center they had ideas and promises of turning that whole area into an area where people can bar hop and eat out and etc etc. instead they just have the Valero as the hangout spot

[bluebellmaniac]

I can see why they are building the new arena downtown. It makes sense. But when they first built the SBC Center they had ideas and promises of turning that whole area into an area where people can bar hop and eat out and etc etc. instead they just have the Valero as the hangout spot

Unfulfilled promises of grandiose development to build up an area in decay does not bode well for any promises for downtown.

[ChumpDumper]

I can see why they are building the new arena downtown. It makes sense. But when they first built the SBC Center they had ideas and promises of turning that whole area into an area where people can bar hop and eat out and etc etc.

All that was pie in the sky.

It was the best the county could do after the city the bed.