Maybe he would just want it torn down? When he built the dome he had 81 events per year with 30,000 people. Tell me a use that can do that to pay for itself and I'll jump on board, What was your idea again?
Do you not think a transportation hub would be better for the city and citizens? The potential detriment to the Texans/Rodeo would be "NOW NO ONE WILL PAY FOR PARKING!!!!!" which isn't true -- they'd still pay for parking to tailgate. I don't really get the "unsavory elements" argument. If it's about money, then the Texans/Rodeo could make a ton of money by leasing out space for dining/shopping within the Dome's structure. Where else would people go before or after an event/game to grab a few drinks? Wouldn't that be nice to spend money on their property and not have to worry about driving home?
I liked the UH Graduate student's idea and financially seemed feasible. I think it could be a great icon for Houston. I also like Astrodome Tomorrow, http://www.astrodometomorrow.org/ , sounds great but I think the Rodeo kills it. Also, Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation proposal was great. A racetrack, hotel with skybridge to Astrodome, hall/exhibition space, festival plaza, transit center. Their upgraded plan included restaurants, planetarium, science/tech institute, mueseum(s), film studio. With all of the options seems like you could definitely have it booked out and making money. http://swamplot.com/latest-astrodome-redevelopment-proposal-features-large-domed-space-for-people-to-mill-about-wondering-what-to-do-with-astrodome/2010-06-15/ Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation idea was hotel resort. Massive hotel, with parking garage wrapping around the the dome. Water areas along side greenspace with lawns, trees, islands, and walkways/bridges. amusement rides, mini-ballpark, attractions. To me it looked like a massive Gaylord Texan. http://swamplot.com/astrodome-redevelopments-last-desperate-gambit-release-images/2007-11-01/ Astrodome Studios idea is self explanatory. Basically turn into self contained Hollywood with studios, video/sounds production, sound stages, movie sets, offices, etc... Not my favorite idea but still much better than a demo and does generate revenue. http://www.astrodomestudios.net/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Parking lot or pure demo would be a boring failure. At one time this town was full of visionaries, it's in our blood. Nasa, Energy, Medical Center/Research, Astrodome, The Galleria, Retractable Stadiums, etc... The Dome is an icon for our city representing that thinking/progressive spirit.
The #1,2 and 3 land uses for Reliant Park are the Rodeo, Football and Conventions. Plus it is already committed to Grand Prix racing again starting this year. http://www.grandprixofhouston.com Your Dome choices have to not encroach on those, like taking event parking or conflict with event traffic.
The people voted for and paid for ~60% of Reliant but only the Rodeo and Texans should make the rules and have a say ~60% of that land including parking and event schedule should be ours.
read your contracts I haven't read them but I'm pretty sure they have assurances and clearances. The people that run them have pretty good lawyers and pretty strong political ties.
Seriously. Wreck it and build some landmarks on the parking lot. Like a bronze Astrodome the size of an SUV for people to take pics next to
Going the convention space route could take some business from GRB...but could lure other conventions away from other cities. The space would be one of the better convention spaces in the US. Because it wont have any beams in the way the space is completely versatile to host almost anything. Still I like Slattery's plan.
So you're totally cool with these quasi public/private groups asking the public for money but the public not having any say???
Isn't the Astrodome decrepit and filled with mold, rats, and asbestos? If so, it's probably not worth the trouble trying to renovate a failing structure. Yankee Stadium had way more history than the Astrodome and was demolished. Other places like Texas Stadium, the Kingdome, RCA Dome, Three Rivers, etc were also torn down and nobody cared.
Maybe you are young and idealistic, but the fact is money and connections trump public sentiment in politics. Reliant would have never been built without assurances for the Texans and the Rodeo that they would control the site. 10,000 people holding up signs will have less influence than 1, $10,000 campaign donation to a County Commissioner. I want to preserve the Dome for it's architectural significance and as an homage to the Houston Can Do spirit. Hell I'd make the Buckminster Fuller memorial sculpture, or the world's largest hydroponic garden if I could do it with other people's money. But you have to face the real world issues and come up with a solution that addresses them.
This seems like a completely reasonable idea to me...and I agree with Emmet that it would make for attractive space for conventions/exhibitions provided it's done well. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...p-recommends-converting-Dome-into-4610316.php Saying none of the 19 privately submitted ideas for repurposing the Astrodome met the required criteria, Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. officials said they will recommend converting the Dome into a massive convention and exhibition space, promising "a new Dome experience." "We feel we have the best idea," Sports Corporation Executive Director Willie Loston said. "That idea is a space that will allow many of the ideas that the proposals brought forward to take place." Under the plan being recommended by the Sports Corp., the roof of the dome would be lowered, seating removed and the existing below-ground portion of the stadium would be filled in to create a street-level exhibit space. The result will be 355,000 square feet of exhibit space. The exterior of the structure would transformed into "an inviting green plaza" of restaurants and retail. The proposal will be officially presented to Harris County Commissioners Court at its June 25 capital improvement projects meeting. In a statement released during the meeting, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett praised the sports corporation's plan. "The concept is excellent," Emmett said. "It not only preserves an iconic structure, but it gives Houston and Harris County a truly unique and historic venue for conferences and events. Meeting planners around the world will want to use the space."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Here's a rendering of the Sports Corp.'s $194 million <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astrodome&src=hash">#Astrodome</a> redevelopment proposal, "The New Dome Experience" <a href="http://t.co/TgQHniDGdS">pic.twitter.com/TgQHniDGdS</a></p>— Kiah Collier (@KiahCollier) <a href="https://twitter.com/KiahCollier/statuses/347458534293782528">June 19, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>And another. <a href="http://t.co/9ssc96nubx">pic.twitter.com/9ssc96nubx</a></p>— Kiah Collier (@KiahCollier) <a href="https://twitter.com/KiahCollier/statuses/347460751503544321">June 19, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Larger image Spoiler
They must be delusional if they think the Astrodome will ever host people again. Even more delusional if they think any sporting events will be played there.
If they are able to outfit it to be nice exhibition space, I have no idea why you'd think that. It's unique...it is tied in to the rail line, connecting it to downtown and a number of hotels. They're not talking about sporting events...they're talking about conventions and exhibitions. It will allow for expanded space at the OTC. My guess is they'll steal away a couple of those industry conventions from other cities that are currently hosting them.
I love how Willie Lotson (Director of Harris County Sports and Convention Corp) received 19 private proposals and at the end decided none met their criteria. So in the end the winning proposal is none other than their very own Harris County Sports and Convention Corp proposal. "We feel we have the best idea," Sports Corporation Executive Director Willie Loston said. Well why the fack did you ask for proposals you crooked b*stard?!?!?! The submission of proposals was just a show, they (HCSC Corp) never had any intent of selecting anything but their own. If I had spent money on a private submission I would sue. HCSC Corp. should not have been allowed to submit a proposal when they are the evaluator and selector.
