Labor Day turned into a planning moment in San Antonio. At City Hall, unions, educators, and community groups turned out for the "Project Marvel" redevelopment—centered around the new Spurs arena at Hemisfair. Their message was clear: they want more than a sports precinct. They’re pressing for real, tangible community benefits—like affordable housing, public transit improvements, educational investment, and livable-wage jobs. This isn’t just a local story—it’s a classic urban tension. Do big projects redistribute benefits, or do they reinforce privilege? In this case, San Antonio's working-class voices are pushing for mechanisms like a meaningful Community Benefits Agreement—one far stronger than the $75 million over 30 years currently on the table. It’s refreshing to see planning lifted from schematics to civic engagement. As planners, we design places—but people shape them. Coke vs. community needs must be balanced, especially when enormous public dollars and city decisions are at stake. This rally sends a message: urban transformation can’t be scripted by elites in isolation. Genuine planning means baked-in equity, not afterthoughts. And San Antonio may be showing other cities how to do development differently—by building accountability, not just buildings. Of course, challenges remain. Will the City Council and local voters follow up in the county tax vote in November? Will developers concede ground? That depends on civic pressure—and how plainly the message is seen. If there's a takeaway here, it's simple: planning isn't neutral. It's about power. And ensuring working-class neighborhoods have a seat at that table should be baseline, not bonus.

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