San Antonio City Council to vote Thursday on using state’s share of visitor tax for Spurs arena

City Council on Thursday will vote on ordinances that would allow the city to use the state’s portion of San Antonio’s hotel tax revenue to help pay for the proposed $4 billion downtown sports-and-entertainment district known as Project Marvel, council’s meeting agenda shows.

If passed, the ordinances will allow San Antonio to use hotel tax revenue valued at some $2.5 billion over the next 30 years for a new Spurs arena, expansion of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center and Alamodome renovations, the Express-News reports.

Construction on at least one of the three projects must start within the next five years for the city to have the permission to use the state funds. If the city fails to keep that timeline, that money would go back to the State of Texas.

The proposed usage of the state’s cut of the hotel visitor tax is separate from San Antonio’s cut, which city officials also want to use in funding the project.

However, the city must get voter approval before reallocating its share of the tax towards Project Marvel. Local leaders hope to get that question before voters on the November ballot.

The added items to Thursday’s agenda come after Spurs Sports & Entertainment managing partner Peter J. Holt last week reassured voters the team is “not looking to add a new tax to San Antonio citizens.”

City Manager Erik Walsh reiterated that sentiment Monday, telling KENS 5 an increase in property taxes to help pay for Project Marvel isn’t on the table.

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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.