Watching the city council presentation on this proposed sports and entertainment district downtown. It is already pissing me off.

First thing - they just expanded the convention center ten years ago, and they are complaining that it is too small. Said they had several conventions turn us down because of small size. They don't mention that the current mayor publicly turned down the republican convention.

I am sure they will bring up other things.

Land bridge over IH 37 looks like a huge boondoggle

Link for details of the plans-

https://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/local/gallery/proposed-downtown-sports-and-entertainment-district-presented-to-san-antonio-city-council-spurs-alamodome-visitors-tourism-buildings-construction?photo=4

Have they discussed how they're going to fund it?

The Dome has turned a profit the past couple of years, which is rare for an arena of that size. The multi-family/hotel development will likely be a PPP or a ground lease from the city, so that should be a 100% go.

She just pulled up the slide and said rhetorically, "How do we fund this? We don't know yet."

She had a really long list of options.

Great.

Repurposing the old federal courthouse to a 5000 seat concert arena.

I guess Tobin is too passe

Talking major renovation the the Alamodome, but don't give specifics. Mainly more suites.

The video showed open roof.

No mention NFL when talking about the Alamodome

Also no mention that UTSA football would like a stadium on campus

Burdizzo said:

---

Repurposing the old federal courthouse to a 5000 seat concert arena.

I guess Tobin is too passe

---

Although I'm in favor of the new arena (which won't be popular on here), I had the same thought. Tobin Center maxes out at 3,000 or so, but still. Not needed.

I also saw mixed use development on the Dome's parking lots, which is also stupid. If anything, build parking garages on two of those lots.

A new Spurs arena is probably the least of my concerns with this plan. IMO, the the Alamodome was too ambitious a project, which set in motion the Spurs moving out of downtown. The Spurs should be downtown, but it frustrating the roundabout way and the amount of money that has been wasted on them.

The city has a lot on its plate right now between the Missions ballpark and now this grandiose plan. I kind of appreciate the vision, but I have little faith this towns leadership won't foul it up. This is also a very long term plan. A couple of election cycles could change this significantly.

And don't be deceived. The taxpayer burden won't be insignificant. Lori Houston said the only thing they are looking to find is the "infrastructure" (roads and drainage and parks). That stuff isn't cheap. Never mind all the utility work that SAWS and CPS will have to replace, upgrade, or move for these projects. Some of that will be recovered from the development, but most of it will not.

The city got ambitious for once.