Public support for Project Marvel, the ambitious sports and entertainment district proposed for downtown San Antonio, has declined slightly since February, according to newly released polling data from the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Public Opinion Research.
The findings, released Tuesday by the center, reflect growing public scrutiny of the plan, which includes the construction of a new downtown basketball arena for the San Antonio Spurs and a surrounding mixed-use development.
As of early April, 34% of those surveyed said they supported the project, a drop from 41% in the previous poll conducted two months prior. The latest survey, conducted between April 7 and April 9, included responses from 685 likely voters across Bexar County, with the poll having a +/- 3.7% margin of error.
It found that 44% of respondents now oppose the project, up from 36% in February. Meanwhile, 18% reported being unsure, and 4% expressed having no opinion.
The decline in support comes amid increased public discussion and political posturing around the high-profile development, which has become a central issue in the early stages of the 2025 San Antonio mayoral race. With several candidates weighing in — some vocally endorsing the plan, others raising concerns about costs, gentrification, and public benefit — the project has emerged as a political litmus test for the next generation of city leadership.
Many residents remain wary, expressing concerns that the city, county, and Spurs may offer lofty promises to win public support — only to fall short on delivery, as some believe happened with the Frost Bank Center in the early 2000s.
Originally introduced by a coalition of business leaders, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, and city officials, Project Marvel aims to transform a sizable portion of downtown into a vibrant destination for sports, entertainment, retail and tourism.
Proponents argue the plan would generate long-term economic benefits, revitalize underutilized land and strengthen San Antonio’s national profile as a major-league city.
However, critics have raised concerns about transparency, displacement and how much of the funding would come from public sources. One particularly contentious component of the project involves the use of a Bexar County venue tax — a public financing mechanism that would help cover part of the cost for the new arena.
According to the new poll, public opinion on the venue tax is similarly divided. Forty-four percent of likely voters say they oppose using the tax to fund the arena, while 40% are in favor — a near-reversal from February, when support at 42% slightly edged out opposition at 41%. An additional 15% of respondents in the April poll said they were unsure, suggesting a significant portion of the electorate remains undecided.
Opposition to the venue tax appears to be fueled in part by broader skepticism toward public-private partnerships that rely on taxpayer dollars. Several community groups and advocacy organizations have called for more public input, greater oversight, and a clearer breakdown of financial responsibilities between the city, county and private developers.
Despite the mixed public reception, Project Marvel continues to move forward in the planning stages. Earlier this month, the city, county and Spurs signed an initial, non-binding, agreement to work together to move the Spurs downtown and repurpose the Frost Bank Center.
