Transparency After The Vote? Districts 1, 5, And 7 Want Residents To Have A Stronger Voice Before Final Arena Agreements Are Signed
San Antonio City Councilmembers from Districts 1, 5 and 7 are calling for a special meeting before Aug. 7 to discuss how the city should shape community benefits tied to the planned new Spurs Arena and downtown Sports & Entertainment District, also known as Project Marvel.
After Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones urged a pause on Project Marvel to allow for more transparency, cost-benefit analysis and community input, councilmembers from districts that helped push the project forward are now calling for the very public accountability she warned was needed before the vote.
On Wednesday, June 25, District 1 Councilmember Dr. Sukh Kaur, District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo and District 7 Councilmember Marina Alderete-Gavito filed a three-signature memo requesting the meeting. The goal is to discuss and possibly take action on a framework and public input process connected to the proposed $75 million Community Benefits Agreement and other final documents for the arena deal.
The request comes as the city continues negotiations expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Councilmembers say the meeting would give residents a more meaningful role before binding agreements are signed.
Related: Project Marvel: Mayor Hits Every Stage—No Public Event Left Unchecked
Councilmembers Push For Community Benefits Framework
The proposed Community Benefits Agreement is part of the larger plan for the Sports & Entertainment District, which includes a new downtown Spurs Arena. The broader project has drawn public attention over city investment, affordability concerns, downtown development and whether the deal will produce benefits beyond the arena itself.
“As the City considers a $489 million investment in the Sports & Entertainment District, San Antonio residents deserve a clear and meaningful role in determining how the community benefits will serve our neighborhoods,” Castillo said. “It’s our responsibility to ensure this project delivers on real community benefits for the people who call San Antonio home, in addition to supporting sectors like affordable housing and workforce opportunities.”
Castillo’s remarks echo concerns Jones raised earlier in the process, when the mayor argued the city should better understand the financial and community impacts before committing public dollars to the district.
The memo was filed in response to continued public calls for more community involvement. It also follows Kaur’s December 2025 Council Consideration Request seeking a Community Benefits Agreement Oversight Commission.
Residents Call For A Voice In Arena Deal
Kaur said the city must establish a public process now to build trust and accountability as the arena project moves forward.
“As the Sports & Entertainment District moves forward, San Antonio residents deserve an impactful voice in shaping how community benefits are delivered,” Kaur said. “This agreement must ensure tangible outcomes for San Antonio residents. Our neighbors have voiced priorities such as affordable housing, workforce development, and early childcare. By establishing a clear framework and robust public input process now, we can build trust, strengthen accountability, and ensure that community priorities help shape the benefits that will impact generations to come.”
The $75 million commitment from the Spurs has become a major focus of the public conversation surrounding the arena. Councilmembers say residents should help determine how those dollars are used and how outcomes are measured.
Related: Spurs Arena Accountability Dashboard Proposed at City Hall
Special Meeting Requested Before August
Alderete-Gavito said the city has a chance to turn the community benefits pledge into a clear plan shaped by residents.
“The priorities of our community are my priority, and right now we have a real chance to deliver on them,” Alderete-Gavito said. “The Spurs committed $75 million to our city, and we owe it to residents to put that money to work. That starts with a clear plan shaped by our neighbors.”
Nearly a year ago, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones called for a 60-to-90-day, a “strategic pause,” on Project Marvel negotiations, saying the city should not rush toward an artificial Aug. 21 deadline before residents could review the deal. Jones pushed for more transparency, independent cost-benefit analysis and a clearer understanding of the project’s infrastructure and revenue impacts before the city advanced major commitments.
Now, nearly a year later, councilmembers from Districts 1, 5 and 7 are requesting a special meeting to discuss how the public should help shape the community benefits tied to the Sports & Entertainment District. Their request comes as council is expected to review economic impact and community engagement findings in August, bringing the conversation back to the same questions Jones raised before Project Marvel moved forward: transparency, accountability and measurable public benefit.
The special meeting has been requested before Aug. 7. If called, the meeting could open another public discussion over how San Antonio defines “community benefits” in one of the city’s most closely watched development deals.
