Bexar County voters are divided over two ballot measures related to San Antonio’s entertainment venues, according to a recent poll by the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Public Opinion Research. The measures, which will appear on the November ballot, seek $503 million in bond funding.
The survey found that 44 percent of likely voters support Proposition A, which would expand the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo grounds on the East Side. Nearly 40 percent back Proposition B, which would allocate venue tax funds to a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs at Hemisfair. The broader Project Marvel proposal, which includes both initiatives and aims to create a downtown sports and entertainment district, received 45 percent support, with 40 percent opposed.
In August, Bexar County Commissioners decided to send the proposals to voters. If approved, the measures could use up to $500 million in visitor tax revenue for a new Spurs arena and renovations to the Frost Bank Center, the current home of the team. Bexar County would provide 25 percent of the total cost, not exceeding $311 million. The funding could also support redevelopment of the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
Peter J. Holt, Chairman and Managing Partner of Spurs Sports and Entertainment, has pledged $1 billion for the projects. This includes at least $500 million for the new arena, $500 million for adjacent development, and $60 million for community incentives. The Spurs have also committed to covering any cost overruns. In late August, the San Antonio City Council allowed City Manager Erik Walsh to continue negotiations with Spurs Sports on a term sheet.
Opposition is higher for the NBA team’s proposed arena, with 46 percent of poll respondents saying they would vote against it and 15 percent undecided. About 41 percent opposed funding the rodeo expansion, which includes redeveloping the Frost Bank Center.
“Support for ballot propositions is always very fluid,” according to a news release outlining the poll’s findings. “That said,
“It’s fair to say that the effort to secure venue tax funding for a new Spurs arena faces an uphill battle,” said Bryan Gervais, UTSA political science professor and director of the research center.
The poll surveyed 660 likely Bexar County voters between Oct. 1 and Oct. 3 using computer-assisted, self-interviewing software in English and Spanish. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.8 percent.
Supporters of the new arena say it would help revitalize downtown and attract more events. The possibility of a new arena has sparked renewed interest in San Antonio’s downtown office market, which currently has high vacancy rates near 27 percent. Critics argue that using public venue tax revenue for a facility could mostly benefit the team.
Gervais said campaigns on both sides “have plenty of room to move the needle.”
