Beta The Briev beta is out. Free on iPhone via TestFlight — install it in under a minute.

Join the beta ↗
Briev
Live
Politics

San Antonio council blocks referendum on arena funding, clearing path for Spurs project

The San Antonio city council voted 6-5 to reject a measure that would have placed a public vote on the city's $489 million arena contribution on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Council members split along party lines, with a narrow majority deciding against a referendum on the funding for the downtown Spurs arena. The decision removes the issue from the upcoming midterm election ballot. Spurs CEO R.C. Buford praised the vote, saying it lets the city focus on delivering the planned arena and its expected benefits. The $489 million contribution had been debated for years before last year's approval. No further public vote on the matter will be held.

Why it matters

The vote removes a potential delay, allowing the $489 million arena project to advance toward construction.

In this story

public votearena fundingmidterm ballotcity councilSpurs arenamunicipal contributionSan AntonioR.C. Buford
Get the beta ↗