We’re now three weeks into a New Year, which has a number of important local issues, that need our community’s assessment and input in the interest of sound ideas pertaining to economic development.
As municipal elections approach, a significant issue is the potential relocation of the San Antonio Spurs to a downtown venue. This move could leave the Frost Bank Center and Joe Freeman Coliseum unoccupied, raising the need for a sustainable redevelopment plan for these facilities.
With the relocation of the Spurs, possibly to a center city location, talks have apparently been ongoing between the City of San Antonio, the Spurs Organization, the Rodeo and staff members of Bexar County.
It would appear that part of the talks center around a few issues:
- The need for a revenue/tax election
- What amount of revenue would be available for investment in the site, and
- What community projects could become priorities upon the location becoming vacant?
The Commissioner’s Court, along with County Judge Peter Sakai, previously announced that the tax revenue issue would not be placed on the May ballot. In clarifying the decision, here’s a portion of what has been put out:
- Incomplete financial details – need a full understanding of the projects total costs, financing structure and long term implications for the county,
- Preserving the Frost Bank Center and the Coliseum grounds as vibrant revenue generating assets is a priority, regardless of the Spurs’ future location, and
- Public Input – “we want to ensure that any proposal put before the voters reflects the community’s values and priorities.”
The announcement also indicated that the County remains ‘committed’ to thorough planning and collaboration for the next opportunity for a venue tax election, later in 2025.
To this end, Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert has announced two Town Hall Discussions, with invitations to Elected Officials that represent us:
- State Senator Roland Gutierrez
- State Senator Joseph Menendez
- State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
- County Commissioner Tommy Calvert
- City Council Member Jalen McKee Rodriguez
- Alamo Community College District Trustee Gloria Ray
- SAISD School Board Trustee Alicia Sebastian, and
- Freeman Coliseum Executive Director Derrick Howard
The discussions are to be held on Saturday January 25th, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm and Saturday February 1st., from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, at the Freeman Coliseum Frontier Room located at 3201 E. Houston St.
The community’s input is vital, especially for the upcoming generations, who are recognized as being a vital part of those who impact elections, the new business entrepreneurs, who need space and location, in order to build and grow businesses and for an opportunity to give your voice to supporting new endeavors that will aid in bringing new vitality to the long overlooked and overdue EastSide of San Antonio.
