Last year, at a City-wide Action with over 1100 members, COPS/Metro came out as the first organized opposition to the use of any public funds for a new downtown stadium for the Spurs, or for the creation of a sports and entertainment district surrounding the area, known as Project Marvel. The project is expected to cost between $3-4 billion with a majority of funding likely from public tax dollars and has been negotiated largely behind closed doors.
Leaders turned up the heat at the beginning of the year, testifying at an Eastside town hall and again before the Bexar County Commissioners Court. “Our tax money is better spent on what the East Side needs — more green spaces, workforce development and opportunities, and affordable housing and access to healthcare facilities and quality health care,” said Stewart Blanton, speaking on behalf of COPS/Metro.
This month, Bexar County Republican Party precinct chairs passed a resolution denouncing the project, similarly opposing the use of public funding. The resolution states: “Be it resolved, we object to any attempt to relocate the San Antonio Spurs to a new arena developed or renovated by public funds,” it continues. “Be it further resolved, that we object to the wasting of public funds to expand the city’s sports and entertainment industry.”
[Photo Credit: Sam Owens, San Antonio Express-News]
‘More Important Issues’: Bexar County Republican Party Opposes Public Funding for New Spurs Arena, Express News [pdf]
What Happens to the Frost Bank Center if the Spurs move? Town Hall Participants Voice Ideas, Concerns, San Antonio Report [pdf]
COPS/Metro Says it Will Fight Public Funding for Project Marvel, Spurs Arena, San Antonio Express News [pdf]
Leaders Testimony Before Bexar County Commissioners [video - start at 03:05:49]