I'm thinking that turning the Astrodome into a track stadium wouldn't really set the city apart from anyone who's not directly involved with track. That's like saying Houston getting an MLS team in the Astrodome would help it live up to being the 8th Wonder of the World. It's just not going to happen.
Kind of like the Fingers Wharehouse on top of the old stadium the Colt 45s played in. I actually think they should get a soccer franchise and let them pay there. I don't think our city leaders understand how many soccer fans we have with the hispanic and latino population in this city. For those who want to tear it down, the city isn't ready to eat that money.
my understanding is that all Reliant is lacking is a serious hotel to be able to draw the HUGE conventions. in terms of square footage space available, it has few rivals.
The problem is that most Hispanics and Latinos who care about soccer...don't give a rip about MLS. Everytime they survey that group they say it's minor league crap. There's no long term vision for MLS to stay in the Dome anyway. Even in the best case scenario, it was being billed as a temporary home until they could build a more intimate setting for it. MLS just doesn't draw like that.
I don't care what they do with it. Just don't implode it. I don't think I could handle that thing being brought down. Too many memories.
I find this idea and it's 450 million dollar price tag quite ungood... They need to fix it up for sporting events (football/soccer) - put in some "field turf" ~ host a big bowl game ~ pro soccer -OR- make the astrodome into a giant casino... The best idea would be to raze it and build the world tallest building.
Apparently they can't raze it. There are too many concerns about what imploding it would do to surrounding things....specifically, to Reliant Stadium which is built so closely to it. There's been a few articles about that over the course of the last year or so. Just destroying it doesn't appear to be an option on the table. And whatever you do with it has to provide enough benefit to justify the incredible costs of maintaining it. That's why you have to have something along this scale in order to be viable. The big concern for attracting the conventions (different than those they attract at George R. Brown) is the problem of that area having no restaurants or sufficient hotels...this idea seeks to remedy this by providing a little something extra. That's why I think it's a smart idea. Or at least as smart as any other I've heard. Because it complements what's already there.
i'm sure there will be tax breaks for this project...but this is being privately financed. the article indicates the funding is already in place through private investors.
It's weird seeing this proposal. I went with my Dad to Colt Stadium, Mosquito Central, that was next door to the hole in the ground when they were building the Dome. (pgabriel, you're thinking of Buffs Stadium, I think) We went to many Astros games at the Dome. Saw many Cougars games as well. I remember the time the Cougs plastered Oklahoma State 100-6... yes, it was a football game! The Oilers, what can you say?? Just don't tear it down. As for the proposal, why not just go to SA? Hell, I don't care, as long as it's private money on the line. BTW, anyone know what the annual electric bill is on the AC? It'd be on 24/7.
The casino idea is the best one, in my view. We need to stop subsidizing Louisiana's tax coffers through their gambling and keep that money in-state.
You're right. I'm not saying a track stadium was the BEST idea. I'm just saying its better than another crappy hotel. I was hoping for something better than a track stadium. I kinda liked the idea of a space themed ammusement park...but that isn't really all that exciting either. I think Houston really misses the boat on capitalizing on it's "space" theme. EVERYBODY in the world knows the phrase "Houston, we have a problem." Why not build a closer identity to NASA? How cool would it be if we stand up a vertical mock-up of the Appollo 13 space craft downtown so it's a clear element in our skyline? Sorta like a Seattle's space needle but cooler. Anyway, I digress.
I don't think its a bad idea, if someone can make the dollars work. It provides hotel, eating and shopping space for functions going on at Reliant. It is connected to downtown by the light rail system. If the city would actually build the rail system out to the two airports and the Galleria area, then you have a mass transit system to move people, I'm thinking about visitors to Houston, around.
I say make plant trees and make it into a wild safari with lions and tigers and exotic birds and animals of all kinds
