Mayor Jones to host 3 listening sessions about citywide vote on San Antonio Spurs arena

San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones sports a Spurs jacket during the Spurs’ most recent playoff run. Credit: Instagram / @mayorgoj

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones on Wednesday unveiled plans for three listening sessions on her request to schedule a citywide election to decide the fate of the Alamo City’s $489 million contribution toward a new Spurs arena.

“Last November, county voters voted on their $311 million contribution to the Spurs arena,” Jones tweeted about her proposal. “I believe city voters deserve the opportunity to vote on their $489 million contribution to the arena. What do you think?”

The sessions include:

Thursday, Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Doris Griffin Senior Center, 6157 NW Loop 410

Friday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Northeast Senior Center, 4135 Thousand Oaks Drive.

Monday, Aug. 10, 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., The Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military Highway.

Jones’ office released information about the listening sessions mere hours after Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) CEO R.C. Buford shared an open letter arguing that a citywide vote on public financing for the sports facility is unnecessary.

“The people who will build this project live here,” Buford wrote. “Our neighbors will benefit from it. Local entrepreneurs will welcome new customers. Young people will see new career paths. Small businesses will have more opportunities to grow. That is money staying in San Antonio. That is opportunity people can feel.”

Buford’s comments come amid a growing community debate over whether San Antonio’s citizens deserve a vote on the city’s arena contribution.

The city’s contribution to the new NBA arena would be paid back by a combination of property, sales and beverage taxes collected at and around Hemisfair.

However, with the city facing a $158 million budget deficit, Jones this week said she worries that additional expenses incurred by the city due to the project — which could include expanded police, fire and medical services — could chip away at the city’s general fund over the long term.

What’s more, San Antonio’s 2027 bond capacity will be less than $600 million — roughly half the size of the $1.2 billion bond package voters approved in 2022.

In a memo to the rest of City Council, Jones said she’s concerned about the possibility of a $220 million-plus downtown infrastructure bond, which may be necessary for the arena project to continue. The financing for that bond would come from the city’s general fund, reducing the city’s capacity to pay for other programs and initiatives.

Despite Jones’ concerns, KSAT reports that, as of press time, six council members have expressed opposition to a citywide vote, meaning she doesn’t have the majority in her corner. If the TV station’s count is accurate, she will need to change the mind of at least one of her colleagues by Aug. 17, the deadline for adding a vote to the November ballot.

During a Wednesday appearance on San Antonio Sports Star talk radio, District 10’s Marc Whyte blasted Jones’ effort as a “cheap political trick,” arguing that she’s opposed public funding for the arena all along.

Since last year, Jones has maintained that she wants a deal with the Spurs on a new arena. However, she’s said the city could negotiate a more favorable one, including a possible revenue-sharing agreement.

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