San Antonio City Council voted Thursday to move forward with a five‑year municipal bond program that will appear on the May ballot. The package totals $650 million, combining a $442 million general‑purpose bond for streets, bridges, sidewalks, parks and affordable housing with a $208 million stormwater bond for drainage improvements.
Council consensus and district adjustments
Most members praised staff for crafting a plan that meets the majority of district priorities, even as they noted the bond size is smaller than originally proposed. Councilwoman Misty Spears (District 9) said the council “came together” to navigate a challenging first‑time bond process.
Councilman Jalen McKee‑Rodriguez (District 2) emphasized the dual goal of fixing long‑neglected infrastructure and avoiding any need to raise taxes. He urged districts to make concessions, noting that many neighborhoods have waited decades for investment.
During the meeting, McKee‑Rodriguez asked for a reallocation of $10.6 million from the pedestrian‑mobility fund in Districts 1 and 2 to boost funding for Districts 3, 5, 7 and 10. He also proposed moving $1.8 million earmarked for drainage in District 1 to District 10. Council members approved both changes, and Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (District 1) said the shift will allow more investment in “failed streets and failed sidewalks.”
Bond details and project breakdown
The $442 million general‑purpose bond includes:
- $259 million for street improvement projects
- $35 million for municipal facilities
- $50 million for affordable housing
- $98 million for parks and recreation facilities
Key citywide projects total $148.3 million and feature the Wolff Stadium redevelopment, downtown street upgrades tied to Project Marvel, and Central Library enhancements.
Within the streets, bridges and sidewalks category, each district receives a baseline $1 million for pedestrian mobility, with additional dollars for specific projects. The largest single allocation is $32 million for South Zarzamora Street in District 4.
The stormwater bond, originally proposed at $175 million, was increased to $208 million after council members asked to expand capacity to two additional districts. The average residential stormwater fee is projected at $4.94 per month. The bond will fund drainage projects across all districts, with the greatest share going to District 1.
Public‑art and community input
City staff recommended that 1.5 % of all non‑stormwater, non‑affordable‑housing project spending be set aside for public art. Residents Kim Bishop (District 7) and arts educator Luis Valdez urged the council to extend that allocation to stormwater projects as well.
Business leaders also voiced support. Rebecca Viagran, president and CEO of the South Texas Business Partnership, highlighted the regional economic impact of infrastructure investment on the South Side, urging priority for the South Texas Parkway and Zarzamora projects. Ana Sandoval, executive director of ESTAR West, called for an explicit focus on closing persistent gaps in basic neighborhood infrastructure.
Mayor’s amendments rejected
The mayor offered two amendments to separate Project Marvel funding from the general bond. One amendment would have drawn the funds from an existing Project Finance Zone for convention‑center and Alamodome upgrades; the other would have created a separate bond, letting voters decide on that portion. Council voted against both proposals.
Next steps
With council approval secured, the bond process moves to the public‑input phase. Three‑member committees will hold three meetings each, followed by a bus tour in December. Final committee recommendations will be presented to council on Jan. 20, and the bond measure is slated for the May ballot.
Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran (District 3) expressed disappointment with the final package, warning that it could perpetuate inequities across the city. She argued that a larger bond could be approved without raising taxes, given recent manufacturing investment on the South Side.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
