A new arena. An expanded rodeo. Good jobs.
Vote Early Starting October 20
Hey San Antonio, it’s been the talk of the town for months.
But on November 4, you, the voter, get the final say.
A new downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs and concerts… a revitalized Frost Bank Center, Freeman Coliseum, and rodeo grounds to help the Rodeo fund even more student scholarships... new development creating good paying jobs… and new revenue to fund local schools, roads, and public safety.
That’s what San Antonio families get to decide YES or NO on November 4.
Below, we make sure you have all the information you need to be an informed voter.
Let’s get to it:
NUMBERS
every San Antonio voter needs to know:
No cost to San Antonio homeowners or renters. Zero. The arena will be funded by visitor taxes, NOT property or sales taxes.
No money is taken from city or county budgets. General funds stay intact for housing, flooding, and other needs. State law limits these new revenue sources to promoting tourism only.
What the county will charge, with voter approval, in hotel occupancy tax paid for by tourists. A portion of the funds will help pay for arena construction.
What the Rodeo funds in student scholarships every year. A new downtown arena gives the Rodeo room to grow and help even more students.
What the Spurs and their partners are investing in San Antonio: $500 million towards arena construction; $1.5 billion in job-creating development projects; and $75 million in community benefit initiatives.
The Spurs – not taxpayers – will pay every extra dollar in cost overruns.
Here’s what’s on your ballot:
Bexar County voters will be asked to decide two ballot propositions. Here’s what you need to know:
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PROP. A asks for voter approval to upgrade and expand county facilities on the East Side, including the Freeman Coliseum, the Frost Bank Center and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Grounds. A YES vote authorizes the County to raise the Hotel Occupancy Tax by ¼%, from 1.75% to 2%, as well as an increase in the rental car fee. The new revenue paid by visitors would cover the estimated $191.8 million needed for the upgrades and expansions.
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PROP. B asks for voter approval for the County to spend the remaining revenues raised from tourists, up to $311 million, to help fund a portion of a new downtown arena for the Spurs.
"This is quite possibly one of the greatest opportunities that our show has ever faced."
— Cody Davenport
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo CEO and Executive Director
How the partnership works between the Spurs, the City and the County:
This is a public-private partnership between the Spurs, the City of San Antonio, and Bexar County. The proposed new sports and concert arena will cost $1.3 billion. Here’s how that breaks down:
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$500 million: the Spurs share of direct costs for arena construction.
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$489 million: the city has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to draw down the state's share of hotel occupancy taxes — funds that can only be claimed for major tourism related infrastructure projects. If the city doesn't claim it, the money goes back to the state.
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$311 million: the county’s portion (described above) that comes from a ¼% increase in hotel occupancy tax paid for by visitors, after covering upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum, the Frost Bank Center, and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
What is going before the voters reflects our steadfast commitment to ensure no tax impact on San Antonio families. After all, San Antonio is our home too. From our very first conversations with city leaders, this has always been about more than a venue. It’s about building a place that fosters opportunity, creates lasting memories and ensures San Antonio continues to thrive for generations to come."