Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
City staff lays out 2026 work plan for Downtown Sports & Entertainment District, including GSA site offer and multiple studies
Loading...
Summary
City staff presented a 2026 work plan for a proposed Downtown Sports & Entertainment District that centers on convention center expansion, phased Alamo Dome investments, infrastructure and connectivity work, and acquisition of federal parcels to support arena financing. Staff sought council feedback on a string of near-term RFPs, an executive program manager role and a US DOT planning grant.
City of San Antonio staff briefed the City Council B session on Jan. 14 on an expanded 2026 work plan for the proposed Downtown Sports & Entertainment District, outlining procurement steps, planned studies and a potential GSA land acquisition tied to the arena financing plan.
Ben (City staff) told the council the city intends to submit an offer to the U.S. General Services Administration for three Federal Building West parcels — about 5.7 acres near the Wood Courthouse — at a proposed purchase price of $30,000,000, plus closing costs up to $120,000. Under the term sheet with the Spurs, the Spurs have agreed to contribute $30,000,000 toward that acquisition and to cover up to $120,000 of closing costs; the city would deposit 10% earnest money ($3,000,000) if the council approves the offer. “We are proposing an offer of $30,000,000,” Ben said, describing the appraisal-backed figure and the timeline to submit the offer to GSA by Jan. 26.
Why it matters: staff said owning the parcel as fee simple would provide a development side that supports arena financing. The term sheet contemplates a contingency deed: if the arena project does not move forward, the city would have the option to reimburse the Spurs for their contribution and retain title, or decline to reimburse and allow title to transfer to the Spurs.
Planned studies and near-term procurements
Staff outlined a set of planned procurements intended to inform negotiations and project phasing: a district study to model cost of services (traffic, fire, EMS, security, maintenance), revenue forecasting (hotel occupancy tax, project finance zone revenues, sales tax) and new revenue opportunities; an executive program manager (EPM) RFQ to coordinate sequencing and contracts across district projects; and a parking feasibility study focused on both public and private inventory plus a platform to share real-time availability. Ben said the district study RFP would be released this week and staff aim to return a consultant recommendation by April 16, with draft findings by June–July. The EPM concept includes an initial $10,000,000 estimate, charged to project budgets where work becomes capitalizable.
Grant-funded connectivity work and utilities
Staff confirmed the city was awarded roughly $3,000,000 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, and that total program value with the local match is about $3,700,000 (local match $740,000). That grant will fund community engagement and technical analyses for pedestrian and bike connections between the east-side properties near the Alamodome and the park to the west; staff noted the award must be fully expended by Dec. 31 of the calendar year.
On utilities, staff said SAWS (San Antonio Water System) is leading a chilled-water feasibility study to determine whether it is feasible to relocate and expand the existing plant at Market Street, expand capacity at Cherry Street, or deploy a satellite plant serving the district. Early indications, Ben said, suggest relocation at Market Street may be infeasible on cost grounds but the study will produce more granular options.
Council concerns and next steps
Council members across districts emphasized parking and transportation, affordable housing, community engagement and timeline clarity. “I think the number one thing we’ve got to look at is parking,” Councilwoman Core said, urging a city-run app and stronger neighborhood enforcement. Multiple council members urged that staff bring an accessible, public-facing dashboard and a district master plan so council and residents can track projects and financial assumptions.
Staff said the acquisition item will appear on the council agenda the next day for consideration; if approved, staff would submit the offer to GSA and follow the GSA disposition review (staff estimated a 120-day review). Additional procurements — the district study, EPM RFQ and parking RFP — were placed on the near-term schedule and will return to Audit Committee and the council for recommendations and awards.
What happens next: the council will see the GSA offer on the next agenda and staff will return with consultant recommendations and follow-up materials (including displacement analysis, finance and PFZ details, and procurement schedules) as the studies and negotiations proceed.
