The City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the San Antonio Spurs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin planning a new Sports and Entertainment District in downtown. The project will include sports, entertainment, and residential spaces. Mayor Ron Nirenberg stated, "This agreement to pursue a downtown sports and entertainment district that includes the Spurs represents a shared commitment to the future of our community." The plan may involve moving the Spurs to a new downtown arena, replacing their current location at the Frost Bank Center. Community input will be important in the development of the project, according to the City of San Antonio.
The proposed district aims to boost local tourism and economic activity with various attractions. Plans include expanding the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, building a new hotel, and creating a land bridge to connect the East Side to downtown. Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai linked the project's funding to a potential November venue tax election. He emphasized the importance of the tax for East Side redevelopment, stating, "The venue tax will also be critical for us to deliver on my pledge to redevelop the East Side and use some of those funds to pay for much-needed improvements and upgrades to the Frost Bank Center, Freeman Coliseum and the surrounding area," as reported by the City of San Antonio.
The San Antonio Spurs are planning a potential return to the city center, with CEO RC Buford stating, "This is an exciting project that we believe presents the opportunity to energize our economy, strengthen our community and position San Antonio for long-term success." The team played at the HemisFair Arena downtown until 1993 and later moved to the Frost Bank Center in 2002. For updates on the project or to review the Memorandum of Understanding, visit SASpeakUp.com/SportsDistrict, as mentioned by the City of San Antonio.
