The overview
Presented by Assistant City Manager Lori Houston, the plan would transform and develop the area around Hemisfair into a multi-faceted district that allows easy access to major amenities and entertainment.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that this project would help make downtown San Antonio the envy of the world.
“What we're discussing today is well beyond a simple facelift. It is not just a collection of projects. It is a unified and comprehensive vision for how we transform the experience of our city, for local residents and visitors alike,” Nirenberg said.
Houston said the San Antonio sports entertainment district will be a community space anchored by the Riverwalk, Civic Park, Tower Park and Yanaguana Park.
The new sports entertainment would include:
- Existing entertainment and convention facilities, such as the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the Alamodome
- A mid-sized event venue
- A new convention center and hotel
- The UTSA School of Hospitality
- A new arena for the San Antonio Spurs
- Retail and mixed use development
Houston also noted that the lack of suitable entertainment space and an outdated, small convention center has cost the city 90 opportunities to host large events over the past five years.
“Those 90 events would have brought about 450,000 visitors to our community that would have spent over $700 million,” Houston said.
Funding the project
Houston said that city officials have identified potential funding from a variety of sources. These include private businesses, hotels and rental cars, local taxes, parking revenue and state grants.
Potential funding sources include:
- County venue tax
- Spurs
- City hotel occupancy tax
- Lease revenue
- General obligation bond for infrastructure
- Public improvement district
- Naming rights
City officials will continue to develop plans for a sports and entertainment district, develop a framework between the city, county and the Spurs ownership and develop a funding plan for a new Spurs arena.
