City Of San Antonio Gives Update On Downtown Sports & Entertainment District Plans, Says Planning Continues For Downtown District
The City of San Antonio has released a new update on planning work tied to the proposed downtown Sports & Entertainment District, also known as Project Marvel, outlining several moving pieces expected to come before City Council in the months ahead.
According to the City, planning continues across multiple areas, including transportation, housing, public facilities, land purchases, infrastructure and project agreements. Several major updates are expected to be presented to City Council in September.
The City’s latest update comes after the Observer reported earlier this month that one major piece of Project Marvel had already shifted: SAWS will not relocate its downtown Central Cooling Plant after projected costs climbed above $300 million. That decision removed a proposed convention hotel site from the immediate plan and raised new questions about how the broader downtown project is being reshaped by real-world costs.
The proposed district has been closely watched as city leaders, the San Antonio Spurs, Bexar County and other partners continue work tied to a future arena, downtown development and long-term public facility needs.
Accenture Hired To Help Manage Project Work
As part of the update, the City said it has hired Accenture to help manage and coordinate the overall district work.
The company will help keep planning, funding and project timelines aligned, according to the City. Accenture also is expected to help create a public dashboard so residents can track progress as the work moves forward.
The dashboard could become a key public-facing tool as residents continue to ask questions about costs, timelines, transportation impacts and how the district will reshape downtown.
The City also said it is moving forward with two land purchases connected to the downtown district.
The first purchase involves federal property planned for future mixed-use development. According to the City, that purchase will be funded by the San Antonio Spurs, with closing expected in July 2026.
The second property is the former Institute of Texan Cultures site, which is owned by the University of Texas System. That site is planned for the future arena and mixed-use development. Closing on that property is expected later in 2026.
Convention Center, Alamodome And Downtown Access Under Review
The City said it is also studying future needs for the Convention Center and Alamodome.
For the Convention Center, the City is reviewing possible expansion needs, market demand, space needs and connections to Civic Park. For the Alamodome, the City is studying what investments may be needed to support events over the next 10 years.
Updates on both facilities are expected to go before City Council in September.
The City is also preparing a Downtown Access and Mobility Study, which will look at parking, VIA service, rideshare use and other ways people travel downtown. City Council is expected to consider a contract for the study on June 18, with early findings expected in September.
I-37 Connections And Arena Agreements Remain In Progress
The City said it received a federal planning grant to study improved connections across I-37 from Houston Street to Carolina Street.
Possible improvements could include better sidewalks, crosswalks, bridges or underpass improvements. Community workshops are scheduled for June 25 and June 27, with more information available through SASpeakUp.com/I37Study.
Infrastructure planning is also underway for streets, sidewalks, access and related improvements. That work is being coordinated with VIA, TxDOT and the Spurs, with recommendations expected to go to City Council in September.
Meanwhile, the City said it continues to negotiate the legal and financial agreements needed for the arena project with the Spurs, Bexar County and other partners. Those negotiations are expected to continue through December 2026.
Key upcoming dates include June 18, when City Council considers the Downtown Access and Mobility Study contract; June 25 and 27, when Reconnecting Communities workshops are scheduled; July 2026, when the federal property closing is expected; September 2026, when major updates are expected at City Council; and December 2026, when arena negotiations are expected to be complete.
