http://www.adomepark.org/ABOUT This was most recent non-county suggestion, "A-Dome Park will be funded using the same private/public partnership model used to pay for and maintain Discovery Green Park. We estimate the cost of the park to be 180 million dollars and like Discovery Green, most of the funding will come from public donations, and the many private foundations and endowments that support public health, environmental and cultural projects in urban areas." "Maintenance costs of the park will be generated by a combination of revenue streams; private sector rental of the park for private and public events, private amenity rental, and indoor parking fees. Discovery Green Park successfully deploys this strategy to fund most park maintenance costs." 180 million is over 100 but it's worth it since it will be revenue generating asset. Also the HSLR Proposal, http://www.rodeohouston.com/Portals/0/Downloads/MediaCenter/Dome/2014-07_08-Dome.pdf was also a decent plan and only ~66 million. The Ryan Slattery plan which was a multi-functional, multi-use, skeletal park was also a decent, cheap idea. All of those ideas "save" the dome while reducing tax payer burden long term and providing a public place/asset.
To believe no one outside Houston "gives a crap" about the dome isn't totally fair. For many Americans it is the iconic image of Houston. This is only reinforced every time Reliant holds a nationwide sporting event and the networks make sure the Astrodome is included in every aerial shot. ---------- I thought this was an interesting re-purposing: Spoiler Unfortunately, it was temporary This, however, was permanent and a fantastic idea
Not sure you can get an aerial shot WITHOUT including it... It's right there. They really wanted to have this resolved by the SB time... In a large part for that reason.
Could you address the fact that unlike Hermann park or Discovery Green the dome is ONLY available by a crowded rail system or a PAID parking spot with restricted, gated access. None of those other public facilities have that. They also don't have the Texans looking over every move with Veto power making sure nothing happens against their own self interests.
Come on now... The Astrodome is like 100 ft away from NRG. They have no choice but to include the dome in all aerial shots. Its 710 feet in diameter and right next door.
This is the problem though with most of the proposals is only looking at it as being one use when given its size and location there are many uses that it could house. As you note there isn't much around the surrounding area but the Dome itself could help provide facilities that are not present in the surrounding area yet could be an economic stimulus. I put together a proposal on this a few years ago. I had shared this here earlier but to spare having to look back through the thread. http://www.c3homedesign.com/sishir/astrodome/Mixed Use Proposal for Renovation of the Astrodome.pdf Spoiler This was before they had torn down the circulation towers but those don't really change the concept.
That isn't that unique of an idea. As noted earlier the Coliseum in Rome during Medieval times had housing in it and there were many other Medieval towns that were set in Roman Coliseum.
Unfortunately I don't know, none of us do because we're not privy to insider meetings. The the first skeletal park idea did get tons of media coverage but good 'ole judge emmett didn't seem to take notice. My best guess is the judge, HLSR, Texans, are at odds with each inter$ted in maximizing their intere$t$ even though the public owns it. This is a minor problem but solvable with good leadership and planning. It's not like this is an expensive technical issue. btw... Herman Park parking sucks balls and you usually have to pay outrageous prices in TMC parking garages. Downtown is the same so this isn't unique. Actually with all the space available around the complex finding/creating public parking spaces would be much easier than Herman or Downtown. Or we can park under the dome park which would help pay for it
All of these proposals looks fine until you again consider the location of the dome which is INSIDE NRG park. If the dome was where Discovery Green currently is, all of these ideas would be amazing and I think be successful. (Your idea blocks away from GRB = huge foot traffic magnet) If NRG wasn't surrounding the dome, but on the other side of Kirby, it could certainly revitalize the area. Hotel and shopping OR the park idea would be a huge draw if there was a large free parking and pedestrian friendly area surrounding it. Unfortunately the Texans are in charge and they don't GAF. They shut down parking for Astroworld and will still restrict access, charge for parking and make all of these plans impossible to imagine working. Until I see a plan that does away with the fence and doesn't charge for parking it is dead in the water.
TMC parking is irrelevant because no one parks in TMC to go to Hermann Park. Downtown parking is free on streets in weekend/night or pay to valet, which is common at restaurants everywhere. I agree it isn't a technical issue, it is a political issue and the Texans have all the power. How popular will the park or mall be if you have to pay 12 bucks to park there? Will NRG give up their 12 dollar per car charge for the park? They host events every weekend.
I think half of them are one liners meant to cause a smile......maybe I should stop at 100k...just end it all there. DD
