A construction site.

San Antonio’s new budget features over $1.1B in capital investments

September 29, 2025

The city of San Antonio has adopted its $4 billion budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026, placing an increased emphasis on public safety, housing and infrastructure. The city council’s approval of the spending plan includes $1.1 billion allocated to the Capital Fund – approximately a third of which is dedicated to airport expansion.

The approved budget arranged its priorities for the coming FY into five categories:

  • Infrastructure.
  • Public safety.
  • Affordable housing.
  • Homeless and homeless encampment clean-up.
  • City employee compensation.

The air transportation program will benefit from the largest portion of the Capital Fund, receiving a total investment of $648.8 million to advance expansion and renovation projects. The San Antonio International Airport will spend $519.6 million over the next year to build a new terminal and related facilities.

The city plans to invest $40.2 million in the first phase of a new parking garage structure and ground transportation center construction effort. Another $21.9 million will go toward building three ground loading gates to provide additional capacity while Terminal C is constructed.

Street infrastructure will receive the second largest amount – totaling $186.9 million, prioritizing the street and sidewalk program. A majority of the budgeted amount will go toward improving mobility, pedestrian safety, multimodal facilities and other key forms of street infrastructure. The budgeted investments include:

  • Building 21 miles of new sidewalks.
  • Repairing and improving 11 miles of sidewalks.
  • Reconstructing streets to include sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches and other improvements.
  • Improving intersections to provide better turn lanes, drainage and traffic control.
  • Implementing multimodal connections to city centers and parks.
  • Integrating pedestrian amenities and safety features.

San Antonio will spend $75.8 million through FY 2026 to improve its park infrastructure and offerings, targeting new facilities, rehabilitation work and nature preservation. A selection of projects receiving funding include:

  • Developing multi-use, linear trails along the city’s creekways, greenways and urban corridors.
  • Buying sensitive land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, as well as several low-impact development projects.
  • Making shade improvements at various parks.
  • Building a facility to support senior and constituent services, meeting space, a natatorium and other recreational features.

The city plans to use $71.1 million to build, renovate and maintain municipal facilities, with major investments in integrating clean energy solutions with city-owned buildings. These capital efforts include:

  • Installing rooftop and parking canopy solar photovoltaic panels across 42 municipal sites.
  • Replacing or modernizing obsolete elevators and escalators in the older portions of the Herman B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
  • Building a 10,000 square foot building with a full court gymnasium, game room, classrooms and staff offices.
  • Renovating the Ella Austin Community Center. Work will include building envelopes, interior modifications, building system upgrades and site improvements.
  • Improving and rehabilitating public health and safety facilities.

Photo by Pixabay

Adam Rollins

Adam Rollins brings his expertise as a Researcher and Writer to the Managing Editor role for several of SPI's key publications, including Government Contracting Pipeline, Texas Government Insider, and the latest addition, Government Market News. With a rich background as a freelance Content Specialist, Adam has honed a passion for learning and information gathering, delving into various industries. His research and writing have spanned a range of topics, from artificial intelligence (AI) technology, conservation, and project outsourcing, to managed IT services and software development.

Holding a bachelor's degree in English from Texas State University, Adam's proficiency in message development is complemented by his robust research skills and seasoned writing experience. These attributes make him an invaluable asset to SPI, ensuring the delivery of insightful and impactful content to the company's clientele.

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