The City of San Antonio was burned before by false promises of an economic boom following a brand new stadium. The Frost Bank Stadium was built to enhance San Antonio’s East Side, but has failed to do so since 2002. A half-baked plan in Proposition B to build a new Spurs arena downtown is destined to doom the city as well.
Prop. B is part of Project Marvel, a $4 billion project to revitalize the downtown area by constructing a new sports and entertainment district. People speculate the Spurs may leave San Antonio for good if it is not passed. Around $800 million in public funds will go toward the proposed arena. City officials placed hotel and car rental tax increases on the Nov. 4 ballot to foot the bill, but the Spurs are pocketing 100% of revenue earned from arena events to cover their $500 million portion. It is unjust for a partially publicly funded stadium not to give back to the community that would erect it.
An economic impact report found the project could bring in $18 billion in economic activity and $350 million in tax revenue over the span of 30 years. However, the report was conducted by CSL International, a company with extensive business ties to the Spurs. The blatant conflict of interest diminishes any crumb of credibility the report possesses. San Antonians cannot trust that the alleged return on investment will trickle down to them.
The biased report predicts thousands of jobs will arise from the implementation of the project. Not once does it predict the fate of small business owners in the downtown area, who already struggle to stay afloat amid current construction projects. Project Marvel, which will take between one to five years to complete most construction ventures, will do nothing but devastate these businesses. The downfall and displacement of local businesses will only fan the flames of gentrification within the city. San Antonio’s sense of connectivity and community will crumble at the behest of CSL International and the Spurs should Prop. B come to pass.
If San Antonio loses the Spurs, then so be it. The city had an extensive history before the Spurs, and it will have a bright future without them. Some flimsy franchise that can be bought and sold does not define San Antonio; its people do. They should take top priority in any proposition placed on their ballots. Unless Prop. B puts the people first; it needs to be put to rest.
