San Antonio sets May 2027 vote on $442 million bond for downtown upgrades
City Council approved a package that includes $35 million in infrastructure work at Hemisfair, despite a failed mayoral amendment to redirect the funds.
By Lucas Navarro ·
San Antonio voters will cast a ballot in May 2027 on a $442 million bond package that includes infrastructure upgrades for the planned Project Marvel complex at Hemisfair.
The City Council unanimously approved the measure on Thursday. The bond is the city’s smallest in over twenty years. It includes $35 million specifically designated for infrastructure improvements at Hemisfair that city staff identified as prerequisites for the sports and entertainment project.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones proposed an amendment during the session to reallocate the $35 million toward other downtown improvements. She argued that the city could find alternative funding sources for the Project Marvel specific work. Jones stated, “There are many, many expenses to which this $35 million can go.”
The council rejected the mayor’s amendment by a 6-4 vote. The final bond amount was set at $442 million to avoid triggering a near-term increase in property tax rates. A higher bond total would have required an immediate tax hike.
Negotiations between the city and Spurs Sports & Entertainment continue without a set date for arena construction. Several aspects of the original Project Marvel plan were scaled back during the week. The upcoming vote will determine if the city proceeds with the necessary infrastructure spending to keep the multibillion-dollar development on track.
