This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine the critical decisions facing Bexar County voters and their impact on the future of San Antonio’s east side, the Spurs, and the Stock Show & Rodeo. Bob Rivard sits down with Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai to discuss what’s at stake in the upcoming countywide election, where voters will decide on two propositions affecting the Frost Bank Center, potential new development, and the future economic direction of the city.
Judge Sakai shares his perspective on the use of the tourist tax to fund county facilities, clarifies public misconceptions around Referendums A and B, and details the legal constraints that govern how these funds can—and cannot—be spent. The conversation sheds light on long-standing issues of eastside economic revitalization, the importance of keeping the Spurs in San Antonio, and the unique roles played by both the Rodeo and Spurs in the city’s civic, economic, and cultural identity.
They discuss:
- What Referendums A and B would actually fund—and what they won’t
- How the tourist tax works and why it doesn’t impact local property taxes
- The future of the Frost Bank Center and what losing the Spurs could mean for San Antonio
- Long-term visions for east side redevelopment, small business growth, and new public-private partnerships
- How state law restricts local governments’ ability to redirect venue tax funds to other priorities like housing or education
- Lessons learned from previous facility deals and how new contractual stipulations could benefit the community
Listen in for a fact-based, unvarnished look at one of the most consequential local decisions in recent years and the broader vision for Bexar County’s future.
▶️ #133. How the Spurs Arena Could Change the San Antonio Rodeo – As Judge Peter Sakai discusses the future of Bexar County venues and east side revitalization, dive deeper into how a new Spurs arena could transform the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and the surrounding community. Host Bob Rivard sits down with Rodeo CEO Cody Davenport to explore potential year-round impact, cultural shifts, and what these changes mean for local youth and economic development.
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