Bexar County approves upgrades to AT&T Center

Bexar Country Judge Nelson Wolff (left) comments on the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo as its Ambassadors Chairperson Cindy Gidden (foreground) and Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez listen. Bexar Country Judge Nelson Wolff (left) comments on the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo as its Ambassadors Chairperson Cindy Gidden (foreground) and Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez listen. Photo: Robin Jerstad / For The Exress-News Photo: Robin Jerstad / For The Exress-News Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Bexar County approves upgrades to AT&T Center 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County commissioners gave the go-ahead to Spurs Sports & Entertainment to bring a $6 million wireless Internet system to the home of the San Antonio Spurs basketball team on Tuesday during a spirited session rife with political jabs.

It was the first session this year that county business has been interrupted by political bickering and comes after Commissioner Tommy Adkisson announced his Democratic challenge to County Judge Nelson Wolff in the March 4 primary.

Adkisson tried to get a discussion on the county's travel policy on the agenda, but was reportedly blocked by County Manager David Smith. So, Adkisson brought the item up while commissioners were set to discuss a different item — and was quickly squashed.

Adkisson has called Wolff and his Republican Commissioner son Kevin Wolff “a kind of royal family.” Adkisson was quoted in an Express-News opinion column on the need for new travel policy in light of $100,000 in international trips from 2010 to 2013 by Commissioner Wolff and another county official.

“Policies are not dictated by opinion articles in the newspaper,” retorted Commissioner Paul Elizondo, a Democrat, to Adkisson's request to discuss travel. “I would suggest that we leave the politics at the door.”

The comments came after commissioners unanimously approved the upgrades to the county-owned AT&T Center, Freeman Coliseum and exhibition barns used for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Wi-Fi at the AT&T Center is expected to be complete in 2014, said David Marquez, the executive director of Bexar County's Economic Development.

“Obviously, it's the AT&T Center, but you want people with other service to be able to use their phone, too, and that's what happens with Wi-Fi,” said David Anderson, the regional director of operations for AEG Facilities, who advises the Spurs on facility improvements. “It's time to take that next jump and wow everyone, and keep everyone coming out there.”

Judge Wolff said the technology upgrades, along with improvements to the arena's restaurants that are expected in 2014, are a “really good start.” Next year, the facility's scoreboard will be replaced, and seating and suites will be enhanced.

“I know that's expensive, but it's something that has to be kept up with,” Wolff said of the wireless Internet plans. “We are really turning it into a first-class facility that benefits everybody.”

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In 2008, voters approved spending $100 million in visitor tax dollars on the county's arenas. Most of that money, $75 million, will go to improvements at the AT&T Center, and SS&E will spend about $15 million. The remaining $25 million in county venue project funds will fund upgrades at the Freeman Coliseum and rodeo exposition barns; the San Antonio Livestock Exposition is contributing $2.9 million to the project.

The barns will be demolished the day after the rodeo, officials said, which kicks off Feb. 6. Earlier in the meeting, commissioners signed proclamations recognizing the 18-day rodeo and Cowboy Breakfast, the first event of rodeo season, which takes place Friday.

“We offer the most fun, entertaining, educational event in San Antonio,” said Cindy Gidden, the chairwoman of the ambassador committee for the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Inc., the nonprofit that puts on the event. “Let's rodeo, San Antonio!”

emoravec@express-news.net

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