Just saw a new 'Be Part of Something Big' commercial (er... I think it was new... the whole gang in an arcade type place, ends with Yao flipping his pen in the air at an autograph table). Anyways tail end of the commercial ended with a bit about reserving season tickets I think and then they showed a blue drawing of the new arena with "Houston Arena: Opening Soon." Any word if that's the official (and quite mundane) title they're sticking with? Or just a temporary place holder?
It's just a temporary name until they get their sponsors, much like Enron/Minute Maid was referred to as the Ballpark at Union Station...
By the way, I was at George Brown Convention Center on Saturday and passes right by the new arena. It looks ver nice with a large, large parking lot to the South and a hotel to the North. The main entrance of the arena seems to be on the hotel side with a nice looking concave shape on it's facade; i'm sure the parking garage side has an entrance as well. For those who smoke, I noticed small, outdoor balconies surrounding the structure from the second floor. There is still tons of construction, and from the outide, it look 75% complete. I hope the City of Houston does a much better job with road contruction. The major construction at the Convention Center is terrible as well but mostly contained. Regardless of how well the City says they have faired with construction or the amount of parking, in the Fall I would still recommend parking in Midtown and taking the trolley or taxi. Cheerio!
