Even though Bexar County voters approved it last year, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is making yet another move against a potential new arena for the Spurs in downtown San Antonio.
The Mayor wants the public to weigh in once more on the Spurs arena aspect of Project Marvel, specifically on the city's $489 million contribution.
In a post on social media, Mayor Jones announced 3 upcoming 'listening sessions': "Last November, County voters voted on their $311 million contribution to the Spurs arena. I believe City voters deserve the opportunity to vote on their $489 million contribution to the arena. What do you think?
Join me for a Community Listening Session to learn more, ask questions, and share your perspective.
The sessions are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Monday.
On Friday, the Mayor sent a memo to San Antonio City Council, as well as City Manager Erik Walsh and City Attorney Andy Segovia, pitching a potential November vote as one that would allow residents "to weigh in on what the city has negotiated."
"November would allow city voters to vote clearly informed by what they are paying, what they are receiving in return and whether the latter is good enough," Jones said in her memo.
The Mayor is blaming the city's "affordability crisis," specifically highlighting a lower-than-expected 2027 bond capacity; the $157.7 million budget deficit that will be central to fiscal conversations at City Hall next month; and the possibility of a property tax hike in the wake of the budget shortfall.
The deadline to add a new proposition to the November ballot is Aug. 17