Voters Decide Fate of Long-Discussed Spurs Arena as Polls Open Today
The voters of Bexar County face a crucial decision today regarding the proposed Spurs arena. This initiative, backed by local officials and business leaders, aims to relocate the San Antonio Spurs to a new downtown venue. Plans for the arena have been under discussion for years, through extensive negotiations involving city officials and team leadership.
Spurs Arena Funding and Proposition B
Currently, the Spurs play at Frost Bank Center, which opened in 2002 and was funded by county venue taxes. However, team officials believe it no longer meets the requirements of a modern NBA franchise. The new Spurs arena project is part of a broader trend toward developing sports and entertainment districts in major cities.
- Total projected cost: $1.3 billion
- Public funding (city and county): Approximately two-thirds of the costs
- Team funding: $500 million
- Proposition B funding request: $311 million from Bexar County’s venue tax
The Spurs’ proposal also intends to transform their current home into a year-round rodeo district, known as Proposition A. The city’s contribution of about $489 million hinges on the outcome of today’s vote and involves state funds and property taxes from the zone surrounding the new arena.
Public Sentiment and Voter Engagement
In recent years, public support for funding professional sports venues has waned. High-profile rejections, such as those of the Arizona Coyotes NHL team and the Kansas City Chiefs, highlight this shift. Additionally, Jon Taylor, a political science professor at UTSA, remarked on the growing public skepticism surrounding the costs associated with stadium constructions.
The stakes for the Prop B vote are considerable. The Win Together PAC, which supports the Spurs arena project, has invested over $7 million in their campaign. Their financial backing includes support from local businesses such as USAA and Valero.
Election Statistics
Leading up to Election Day, early voting has sparked significant interest. Approximately 148,000 ballots have been cast, representing about 11.4% of Bexar County’s 1.26 million registered voters. This number exceeds the total ballots cast during the May municipal election by about 30,000 votes.
“This election has seen unprecedented voter interest,” noted Elections Administrator Michele Carew. “We’ve surpassed turnout numbers from previous state constitutional elections held in 2023, 2021, and 2019.”
Voting continues today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As Bexar County residents weigh in on the future of the Spurs arena, today’s ballot also includes various Texas constitutional amendments and educational funding measures for several local districts.
