San Antonio Councilmembers Seek Special Meeting to Expand Public Input on Proposed Sports & Entertainment District
San Antonio's vision for a reimagined downtown continues to take shape, and city leaders say community voices should help guide one of the project's most significant components before final agreements are signed.
Three San Antonio City Council members have requested a special meeting to discuss the proposed $75 million Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) associated with the new Sports & Entertainment District and establish a formal process for public input before negotiations are finalized.
The request comes as the City advances plans for a sweeping redevelopment of downtown centered around Hemisfair. The proposed Sports & Entertainment District would complete the Hemisfair master plan while creating a regional destination designed to serve residents and visitors alike. City leaders have emphasized that the vision is still evolving and will continue to be shaped through community engagement.
A Vision for the Future of Downtown San Antonio
The proposed Sports & Entertainment District represents one of the largest redevelopment efforts in San Antonio's history. Plans call for transforming more than 25 acres surrounding Hemisfair into a mixed-use district featuring restaurants, retail shops, entertainment venues and public gathering spaces designed for year-round community use.
The proposal also includes completion of Tower Park—the final phase of the Hemisfair master plan—along with a park that reconnects San Antonio's East Side across Interstate 37, expanded convention facilities, improvements to the Alamodome, a new live events venue in the former John H. Wood Jr. Federal Courthouse, a convention center hotel, and a new state-of-the-art downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs.
According to the City, much of the project would be funded through visitor-generated revenue sources rather than local property taxes. Funding is expected to come from Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT), the County Venue Tax on hotel stays and rental cars, state hotel-related tax revenue generated through the Project Finance Zone authorized by the Texas Legislature, contributions from Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and future developer investments within Hemisfair.
Property taxes would only be considered—subject to voter approval—for infrastructure improvements such as streets, sidewalks and transportation enhancements that improve access throughout downtown.
Why the Community Benefits Agreement Matters
While construction plans and financing have received significant attention, the Community Benefits Agreement has emerged as one of the most closely watched components of the overall project.
The agreement would direct $75 million in community investments over 30 years through Spurs Sports & Entertainment. Those funds could support priorities such as affordable housing, workforce development, early childhood education and other initiatives identified by residents during the public engagement process.
Councilmembers Dr. Sukh Kaur (District 1), Teri Castillo (District 5), and Marina Alderete-Gavito (District 7) filed a three-signature memorandum requesting a special City Council meeting before Aug. 7 to discuss both the Community Benefits Agreement framework and how residents can meaningfully participate before definitive agreements are executed.
The memorandum notes that while negotiations on the Sports & Entertainment District continue to move forward, discussions surrounding the Community Benefits Agreement have not advanced at the same pace. The councilmembers argue that establishing a transparent, inclusive and community-centered process now will help ensure the city's $489 million public investment reflects neighborhood priorities and strengthens public trust.
Councilmembers Call for Greater Public Participation
District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo said residents should play a meaningful role in determining how community investments are prioritized.
"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. 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."
District 1 Councilmember Dr. Sukh Kaur said the Community Benefits Agreement should reflect priorities residents have consistently identified.
"As the Sports & Entertainment District moves forward, San Antonio residents deserve an impactful voice in shaping how community benefits are delivered. 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."
District 7 Councilmember Marina Alderete-Gavito emphasized that the community should help determine how the Spurs' commitment is invested.
"The priorities of our community are my priority, and right now we have a real chance to deliver on them. 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."
What the Special Meeting Would Cover
If scheduled, the special meeting would focus on two primary objectives:
Developing a Community Benefits Agreement framework specific to the proposed $75 million commitment from Spurs Sports & Entertainment, building upon the Community Benefits Agreement Oversight Commission Council Consideration Request filed in December 2025.
Creating a formal public engagement process that gathers input from neighborhood organizations, artists, labor representatives, small businesses and community groups before incorporating that feedback into the project's final agreements.
What Happens Next
The memorandum requests that the special meeting be held no later than Aug. 7, providing City Council an opportunity to establish a public participation process before definitive Sports & Entertainment District agreements are finalized later this year.
Meanwhile, the City continues encouraging residents to share ideas about the future district, including public spaces, transportation, housing, parks and other community priorities. Officials have indicated additional opportunities for public engagement will continue as planning and development move forward.
For San Antonio residents, the discussion extends beyond a new arena. The Sports & Entertainment District has the potential to reshape downtown, strengthen connections between neighborhoods, expand public spaces and influence how community investments are made for decades to come. The upcoming discussions surrounding the Community Benefits Agreement will help determine how those long-term benefits are shared across the city.
My Neighborhood News will continue following developments on the San Antonio Sports & Entertainment District and provide updates as additional public meetings and community engagement opportunities are announced.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.