Voters Approve $311 Million in Venue Taxes for New Downtown Spurs Arena
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BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A narrow majority of Bexar County voters on Tuesday cleared the way for a new downtown home for the San Antonio Spurs, authorizing officials to allocate up to $311 million in venue taxes for a multipurpose arena.
Unofficial returns showed just over 52 percent in favor of the measure, which had faced pushback from several lawmakers and community groups.
The plan calls for the Spurs to invest at least $500 million of their own money in construction and to absorb any cost overruns. The team would also pay rent once the building opens, helping offset a proposed $489 million contribution from the City of San Antonio.
“We love this city, we love this county, and the county and the city love us back,” Spurs Sports & Entertainment chairman Peter J. Holt told reporters Tuesday night.
Team officials have also pledged roughly $1.4 billion in private development surrounding the arena site. In a separate ballot item, voters authorized lawmakers to spend about $200 million to expand rodeo facilities, potentially bringing more rodeo events to the city.
Proponents argued that venue taxes—largely collected from hotel stays and rental car fees—are paid mainly by visitors and cannot be used for property tax relief or other municipal services under state law. Opponents questioned public spending on sports infrastructure and cited lingering uncertainties about total project costs.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has requested additional analysis of the city’s financial stake before final agreements are signed. No construction timeline has been set; Holt said the organization is “at the very beginning of the design stage.” The Spurs’ lease at Frost Bank Center runs through 2032.
Source: ESPN
