SAN ANTONIO — A new survey of residents here in San Antonio shows there is mixed support for two major sports teams moving their venues to the downtown area.
UTSA's Center for Public Opinion Research released the results of its first poll, which asked residents about plans to move the Spurs arena and Missions ballpark to downtown San Antonio, among other topics. Bexar County registered voters were surveyed in the poll.
The results of the survey shows more San Antonians are in favor of the Missions ballpark plan than not, with 39.6% supporting it, 34.7% not in favor of the plan, and more than quarter unsure or lacking an opinion.
The San Antonio City Council last week voted to approve the framework of the Missions stadium downtown, so the plan is already in motion.
See the full results below:
The poll also asked Bexar County voters in the September poll about the suggested plans from the Spurs and the City of San Antonio to move to a downtown arena in Hemisfair. There was slightly less support for this plan than the Missions plan. The poll shows 41% are opposed moving the Spurs downtown, while 35.6% were supportive. About a quarter (23.3%) were unsure or had no opinion.
The organization's June poll found that finances and concern about the impact it would have on traffic/construction downtown contributed to opposition.
KENS 5 viewers also recently weighed in on the plan to move the Missions ballpark to a plot of land on the northern edge of downtown.
David Speaks said he was opposed to the plan, saying, "Complete waste of money. Current stadium is good and acceptable. Need to focus on other areas of the city to improve it. Many many other issues more important."
Marysol Imler said she would rather see the money go somewhere else, saying "That’s a HARD PASS. We need a better airport first if the intention is to truly be a leader in sports and tourism."
Jeff Menacher expressed concern for the residents of some downtown apartments who would be displaced by the plan, saying, "Greed is displacing 100's of apartment residents in some of the only downtown affordable housing. The rich will get richer off ticket and concession sales. The poor will be kicked to the curb and forced to watch from afar."
Roland Aragon pointed out that bringing sports teams does have the potential to benefit cities, saying, "Sports teams bring in outside money especially when the teams are doing well. Visitors come to see their favorite players go up against our teams. And our teams have had some really great players come through. There’s no denying that.