Maybe all those businesses around NRG, and those who hold events there can bring their money together to fund the repairs, and leave the taxpayers who don't make money off the events out of it.
There really aren’t any businesses around NRG. The only thing around NRG is more NRG and another failed county stadium. It’s the county’s problem… and the tenants will only contribute what they’re obligated to. This is still likely a play by the Texans to either buy the entire facility outright from the county/rodeo…. Or those parties will fail to come up with a renovation plan and the Texans will build their new $$$-making palace in the Woodlands or another non Harris county suburb (with the land being gifted).
Spoiler The Houston Texans are seeking a space to build a new team headquarters that would likely house practice fields, weight rooms, meeting spaces and offices, Cal and Hannah McNair told the Houston Chronicle in an exclusive interview. The McNairs did not specify where they would build a new headquarters or when, but indicated that something could be on the horizon in the near future. “We’re still early, but it’s a lot of excitement,” Cal McNair said in a interview at the NFL’s annual league meetings. The Texans are one of three NFL teams whose headquarters is at its stadium. The others are the Cincinnati Bengals and the Carolina Panthers. The Texans' weight rooms, their meeting rooms, cafeterias and offices are all inside NRG Stadium. About once a week during the season, the team practices inside the stadium. They also have an indoor practice bubble across the street and outdoor fields. But because the NRG Stadium, which is owned by Harris County, often hosts other events during the Texans season when they have away games, the primary field is often unusable during the week. “It’s disruptive,” Hannah McNair said. “It’s something we struggle with throughout the year. We don’t know who is going to be there, whether it’s a contortionist or Princess Disney on Ice, whatever it is you’re constantly walking through it… We’ve outgrown the space.” “I think there is a lot of growth opportunity,” Hannah McNair said. “We’re at an inflexion point. When we talked to Mike (Tomon) in the interviews, that’s what we said to him. “We’re ready to take off and I think there’s a lot of opportunity in front of us.” Cal McNair said they liked Tomon because of his background in stadium development and his experience with renovation projects. “He brings some expertise that frankly we don’t have,” Cal McNair said. Do McNairs want a new stadium? Separately from a new headquarters, the Texans are also negotiating a new lease agreement at NRG Stadium with Harris County and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The current lease agreement expires in 2032. And the stadium, which is owned and maintained by the county, is behind on repairs. While the Texans say they are focused on getting NRG Stadium renovated they have also explored what it would take to build a new stadium. When asked if they preferred a new stadium, the McNairs said it was too early to say. “I think where we are right now is we’re still gathering data to see exactly what we have on our hands for the existing stadium and what the challenges will be of that,” Cal McNair said. “And then working with the Rodeo and with the county and figuring out the right solution for long-term. “And making a great experience for the fans and a great field for our team to play on.” Said Hannah McNair: “I think one thing to remember is we are (currently) a tenant. We are not the landlord. We don’t control all the dates in that stadium. I believe we have 10 to 15 dates that we have control of the building. The Rodeo has their dates, the rest of it is the county’s. “So we want to work together with everyone and it’s ongoing.” They compared it to other NFL stadiums, which have control of their buildings throughout the entire year. A new lease could see a different structure where the Texans control more dates and pay for the maintenance and upkeep at NRG Stadium. Regardless, the McNairs say they are interested in a deal that satisfies everyone involved and they want what’s best for the city. They echoed Tomon’s comments last month to the Chronicle that they plan to remain in the Greater Houston area, and would not leave. Both Cal and Hannah McNair were born and raised in Houston. “I think most of us in Houston remember that feeling back in the ’90s and we don’t want to experience that again, as a city,” Hannah McNair said, referencing when the Houston Oilers left for Tennessee in 1997. “Personally, for the families, for businesses, it definitely left a hole in the heart of Houston when that happened. “But the best outcome was that we were able to bring a franchise to Houston. That is part of our duty to the city, to our fans as well, to make sure we have good outcome here.” Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis declined through a spokesperson to address the Texans' desire for a new headquarters, but in a statement said he was pleased with the way the discussions on a new lease agreement were going. “I anticipate a long and prosperous relationship with Harris County, the Texans and the Rodeo,” Ellis said.
This is a great way to demonstrate good faith in the renovation while scouting locations to test traffic during training camp and other events. Plus, if the renovation is successful, the practice field bubble area would be prime hospitality real estate, the bridge is already there
Bunch of whiners. They use the stadium at max 10 times a year and are the least successful franchise in the city. The Astros deserve a new stadium before they do. Give us a reason to build you a new one.
I would still like to see the Astrodome converted to the Worlds Largest and most modernized covered parking facility. Imagine utilization of the entire surface of the complex except for access roads being available with a mini overhead transportation hub going to the various venues. Perhaps a satellite hub on the South side to ease traffic congestion coming and going all connected by the equivalent of an updated monorail. Perhaps a grass tailgating area with a seating area and permanent restroom facilities nearby. But the transition would have to be coordinated with the Heritage groups controlling the Astrodome designation. Anyway, now that asbestos mitigation is no longer an issue, many options which were not economically feasible are now back in play.
They could use the Astroworld site for the new practice HQ. If the team wanted to practice on the NRG field they could take a tram across the bridge.
Stadiums are important streams of revenue for sports franchises, though. So as long as the owner is making the commitment to win - and for all their failings & missteps, the Texans have certainly *tried* to win - you have to divorce results from the stadium needs. Which is not to say give the owner whatever they want - certainly not. But you don't finance stadium costs based solely on results - there's much more to it than that.
Not to mention that the city/county has more pending issues with upcoming events associated with NRG that go beyond the Texans. (World Cup, more rodeos, all the other concerts/events that take up the other 36 weeks beyond football season). Apparently the video boards (that weren't that old) could short or go out at any second. There is infrastructure issues as well (plumping, electrical conduits) that need updating. The county has no money to pay for this even though they are responsible, hence why other options are being explored.
