SAN ANTONIO – City leaders voted to approve contracts worth millions of dollars tied to the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district known as Project Marvel.
In a City Council meeting on Thursday, council members voted 10-1 on each of the two contracts. San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones was the only one opposed, though it was not immediately clear why.
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The city plans to award Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects the contract to coordinate and manage development activity in the district as the “executive program manager” (EPM).
The $6 million contract is for the “first phase” through March 2027, though it can be renewed in additional one-year increments through September 2031.
The council also approved a one-year, $350,000 contract with MuniCap to conduct a cost-of-service study for the district.
The Maryland-based public finance consulting company will look at how much it will cost to provide core city services to the area, like police, fire, traffic, and park maintenance.
It will also be charged with forecasting how much money the district will bring to the city and new opportunities for generating revenue.
Despite concerns over taxpayer costs, many Spurs fans say they are excited about the possibility of a new home for the team.
“We went to a lot of the kickoff parties, we’ve been involved and pushed for what’s going to happen,” Spurs fan Tom Zuniga said. “That’s going to be the home that Wemby built.”
Others say the project could bring energy and opportunities to the city.
“We need something positive in the city for the kids, too,” Berlinda Zuniga said. “Places where they can go and look up to.”
Both consultants were selected through a competitive process.
A briefing on the sports and entertainment district has been rescheduled for June, city council members decided on Thursday.
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