The former John H. Wood Jr. Federal Courthouse in Hemisfair could be transformed into a live events venue, according to a proposal by the City of San Antonio. The estimated cost of the renovation is between $100 million and $150 million, with the venue expected to seat 4,000 to 6,000 people. The proposed venue would be funded by a combination of tourist tax dollars and private corporations. The San Antonio Spurs have committed $500 million to the development of the proposed Spurs arena as part of Project Marvel, and an additional $500 million for the development of downtown areas adjacent to the arena. The exact allocation of these funds is unclear. The live events venue has the potential to significantly impact the city’s music and tourism economies. However, some critics argue that the city is not doing enough to support the local music scene. Assistant City Manager Lori Houston remains optimistic about the project and believes that the venue could transform San Antonio into a live music destination. She stated, “This could be a turning point for the music industry with the offerings that the district brings for live music. We are getting the acts that we didn’t get five years or greater, so we are becoming that city but it’s going to be key that we keep our facilities up to par.”
Houston emphasized the need for a venue that can accommodate large audiences in an intimate setting. She noted that the Alamodome and other large venues in the area are often used for large events, but may not provide the same level of experience for attendees.
- Creating a venue where there is a gap in the market for artists to perform for a large audience in an intimate setting.
- Filling a gap in the market for artists to perform in a unique and intimate setting.
- Providing a platform for local musicians to showcase their talents.
The developer of the venue will also receive a tax credit of around 45%, which could make it more attractive for private companies like Live Nation to partner with the city on the project. This public-private partnership could help reduce the financial burden on the city and make the project more feasible. Michael Seman, an associate professor of arts management at Colorado State University, believes that the venue will attract large touring acts that will have a significant impact on the city’s economy. He stated, “All this money is coming in, spending on everything from gas to possibly hotel, most likely eating out. That person that lives in San Antonio is important as well, because they may not have gone out that night otherwise if it weren’t for the fact that [their] favorite band was playing.”
However, Seman also noted that there is a concern that major touring acts may opt to perform in Austin, which is known for its vibrant music scene. He stated, “When you’re next to Austin, you’re next to a gigantic whirlpool that just sucks in everything music within several hundred miles. There is not a similar venue like this proposal.”
Despite this challenge, Seman believes that the venue could potentially make San Antonio more appealing to touring acts and combat this challenge. He emphasized the need for the city to think about how to incorporate music into the city as a whole, rather than just focusing on a single venue.
“San Antonio could be a major music city if there was more thought put into incorporating music into the city, something we said this project does. The key is to leverage it, not just where that one venue is, but also think about, how can we address all the music communities, genres and such, within our city, with this 4,000-seat venue as like the linchpin,” Seman said.
Local musicians, however, have expressed concerns about the project. Nick Garza, the guitarist for Street Lamp, a San Antonio-based funk rock band, believes that a venue of this size will not benefit local musicians at all. He stated, “A venue of this size will not benefit local musicians at all. I would rather see the city invest in smaller venues where local musicians could perform. It’s hard for artists looking to grow in San Antonio because of the limited number of live music venues.”
Garza emphasized the need for the city to invest in the diverse local music scene, rather than just focusing on large projects. He stated, “We need a lot of those more personal and all-age music venues so everybody could go. If we start building ourselves from the ground up that way, then more bigger acts will look here.”
| San Antonio | Austin |
| Music Scene | Vibrant and diverse |
| Live Music Venues | Over 100 |
| Touring Acts | Attract a wide range of acts |
In conclusion, the proposed live events venue in San Antonio has the potential to significantly impact the city’s music and tourism economies. However, concerns have been raised about the impact on local musicians and the need for a more diverse range of live music venues. As the city moves forward with the project, it is essential to consider the needs of the local music scene and ensure that the venue is a positive addition to the city’s cultural landscape. What do you think about the proposed live events venue in San Antonio?
