San Antonio City Council approves first two contracts for $4 billion Project Marvel

A rendering provided by the city shows what Project Marvel could look like. Credit: Courtesy Image / City of San Antonio

During a Thursday meeting marked by more tension between Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and others on City Council, the body approved the first two contracts to begin construction and development for the $4 billion Project Marvel development.

Council approved the city pacts, 10-1, with Jones casting the sole “no” vote.

The deliberations come as the city prepares to create a massive sports-and-entertainment district downtown that will include a new NBA arena for the Spurs, a convention center expansion and more. The project is expected to involve years of construction in the city center.

After tussling with Jones over the need for more transparency, council approved a $6 million contract with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects to serve as executive program manager for Project Marvel. It that role, the company would oversee all projects involved in the design and construction phase.

Council also gave a green light to a $350,000 pact with Maryland-based consultant MuniCap Inc. to undertake a cost-of-services assessment on Project Marvel, which also would include revenue projections and identifying ways to build revenues from the development.

During Thursday’s meeting, Jones and other members of council butted heads over whether to undertake a full briefing on Project Marvel from city staff or push it back until June. The mayor said an immediate briefing was needed to ensure transparency, but she was again outvoted, although Councilman Ric Galvan sided with her in asking for the briefing.

Since being elected last summer, Jones has made repeated attempts to pump the brakes on Project Marvel, arguing the city hasn’t conducted a thorough enough study before rushing ahead on a project that has enormous implications for the city’s future and finances.

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