Spurs Jesus was in attendance at the pro-Project Marvel press conference hijacked by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. Instagram / Spurs Jesus" class="uk-display-block uk-position-relative uk-visible-toggle"> click to enlarge Spurs Jesus was in attendance at the pro-Project Marvel press conference hijacked by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. - Instagram / Spurs Jesus
Instagram / Spurs Jesus
Spurs Jesus was in attendance at the pro-Project Marvel press conference hijacked by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones crashed a pro-Project Marvel press conference at City Hall on Wednesday morning, prompting a verbal showdown with Spurs Jesus, a local fan of the NBA team who's achieved minor celebrity status for his colorful costume choice.
Organized by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the press conference featured local business leaders, including celebrity chef Johnny Hernandez, speaking about why they support the city moving quickly to help fund a new Spurs arena.
After a few minutes, Jones walked to the front of the crowd, announcing that she wasn't invited but felt it necessary to cut in so she can explain why she's called for a pause in negotiations for Project Marvel. The mayor has also called for a new, independent economic impact study on the $4 billion sports-and-entertainment district, which would include the NBA arena.
"I've been known to crash a party or two," Jones said.
As Jones explained why she's called for a slowdown in negotiations, Spurs Jesus asked the mayor if she's considered what might happen if the Spurs leave town.
"The Spurs have never said that they are going to leave San Antonio," Jones fired back. "That is a fearful comment, but the Spurs have never said that. The Spurs have never said, 'Hey, City Council, if you don't vote on a term sheet on Thursday, we're leaving.' They've never said that."
Jones continued: "Spurs Jesus, you have never heard me say that I don't want a deal. Let's get a deal. That requires having the data, and that requires public input."
The confrontation between Jones and the local demi-celebrity — a scene some online commenters said could have been lifted from the sitcom Parks & Recreation — comes as debate around Project Marvel barrels toward a tense climax.
On Thursday, City Council is set to vote on two competing agenda items.
The first, added by City Manager Erik Walsh, would allow San Antonio to agree to terms laid out by Spurs Sports & Entertainment for a new downtown arena, including that the city cover $489 million of the arena's $1.3 billion price tag.
The other item, added by Jones, calls for a pause in negotiations with SS&E until a new, independent economic impact study on the sports and entertainment district is done. This week, the mayor told the Current that another study is required because the first analysis was conducted by CSL International, a consulting firm in which a SS&E ownership partner holds a stake.
City Council's highly-anticipated debate over the dueling proposals will get underway at 9 a.m. on Thursday. It's available for livestream via the San Antonio Government Channel's webpage.
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