The San Antonio City Council held a special meeting on July 25, 2025, where community members voiced their concerns regarding the proposed sports and entertainment district. The meeting featured a series of public comments that highlighted the need for community engagement and benefits in the development process.

The first speaker expressed frustration over the city's focus on funding a new arena, arguing that it would not benefit their neighborhood. They urged the council to prioritize the real needs of San Antonio residents instead of investing in projects that would not serve them.

Following this, Christina Bali, the executive director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, addressed the council. She congratulated the new council members and emphasized the importance of implementing a community benefits agreement (CBA) if the sports and entertainment district moves forward. Bali explained that a CBA is a legally binding contract that ensures public benefits from development projects, particularly those involving public land or subsidies. She cited successful examples from other cities and stressed the need for community voices to shape the agreement, especially in neighborhoods that have historically faced inequitable development practices.

Bali warned that while such districts are often promoted as economic drivers, they can lead to increased housing costs and displacement of residents. She called for a governance and accountability mechanism to ensure that the promises made in the CBA are fulfilled.

The meeting concluded with a reiteration from city officials that a community benefits agreement would be forthcoming as the project progresses. The discussions underscored the community's desire for a development process that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of local residents.