Astrodome History At 8400 Kirby Dr.

[Jeebus]

I don't think the man's lying or being a bum over the matter. I worked at a motel for a couple of years while in college. Here are some numbers to play with:

$4o.oo a night x 6o available rooms = $24oo.oo Gross Daily Profit

$24oo.oo x 30 days = $72ooo.oo Gross Monthly Profit

Now, lets look at basic expenses:

1. 6 maids (1 for every 10 rooms) @ $1o.oo an hour = $6o.oo

$6o.oo x 8 hour work day = $48o.oo Daily Maid Expense

$48o.oo x 3o days work = $14,4oo.oo Monthly Maid Expense

2. 1 front desk clerk @ $1o.oo an hour x 8 hour work day = $8o.oo

$8o.oo x 3 (to cover a 3 - 8 hour shifts in a day) = $24o.oo

$24o.oo x 3o = $7,2oo.oo

3. 1 security guard @ $1o.oo an hour x 8 hour work day = $8o.oo

$8o.oo x 3 (to cover a 3 - 8 hour shifts in a day) = $24o.oo

$24o.oo x 3o = $7,2oo.oo

Okay, so far we're up to $28,ooo.oo in just salaries. Of course they could have more personnel like maintence, managers, lifeguards (pool), breakfast area attendants, etc etc. We haven't even began to talk about utilities like gas, electricity, landscaping, water, cable (HBO is free in your room - but ISN'T free to the motel owner), etc etc. Also, you have to consider the insurance policy both on the facility and the employees. Lastly, is the property even paid off? If not, theres a mortage to deal with too.

So lets say the motel lets all those people stay for free - and they only take up one-fourth of his motel occupancy. Assuming the motel can keep 100% occupancy (which they can never 100% ALWAYS do), that still only gives them $54,ooo.oo monthly total Gross Profit. Subtract your employee costs and that leaves you with just $26,ooo.oo to pay all your other bills.

Sure it sounds like a lot, but thats assuming alot of things. He hasn't even started to pay the bills yet. I would bet that this man is telling the truth. Do you think he would want the bad publicity he knows he would get from locking them out?

I'm not taking either side, I just think we need to look at as many facts before we discredit anybody. Making comments about how "underwelmed" we are won't change a business' budget.

[editor]

DATE: 9/8/2005

Joint Katrina Housing Task Force Opens Housing-Choice Center; Starts Placing Katrina Victims In Houston Area

To: Houston Regional Media Outlets

September 8, 2005 (HOUSTON) - Beginning yesterday, the newly-formed Joint Katrina Housing Task Force began operating a Housing-Choice Center to send Hurricane Katrina evacuees from areas within Reliant Park to longer-term housing.

The Housing-Choice Center is located in the Pavilion-area of the Reliant Arena. There, Katrina survivors will be offered different housing options and receive additional instructions on how they will be placed in their new longer-term homes.

The Housing-Choice Center is currently assisting only evacuees staying inside of Reliant Park. To provide assistance to these evacuees in an orderly manner, Joint Task Force workers are canvassing the Astrodome and Reliant Center and then sending eligible people to the Housing-Choice Center for assistance. This is a very important step since Joint Task Force officials want to ensure that evacuees are offered the right form of longer-term housing for their specific needs, and that they are located in an area that makes sense as an extended solution. There is currently no walk-up service at the Center.

As of now, the Joint Task Force has placed 1,500 people in six privately-operated apartment complexes. Payment for this housing varies by evacuee and includes a variety of vouchers and other forms of subsidies - such as HUD Section 8 Housing-Choice Vouchers. The length of each evacuee's stay will vary depending on their individual needs. It is anticipated that many evacuees will stay in their new homes for an extended period.

The Joint Task Force expects that the Housing-Choice Center will be open to other evacuees (i.e., those outside of Reliant Park) next week through a mobile-processing van that will allow evacuees to register with FEMA, the Red Cross and other assistance groups. Currently, however, the center is only processing evacuees specifically sent there by canvassers from the Joint Task Force, which will make an announcement when it is ready to start servicing additional evacuees. There is currently no public phone number to contact the Housing-Choice Center.

Evacuees housed outside of Reliant Park, as well as those in the George R. Brown Convention Center, are encouraged to continue contacting FEMA and other service agencies while the Housing-Choice Center expands its operations.

To ensure a supply of modern, clean and comfortable housing, the Joint Task Force is currently working with more than 200 Houston and surrounding-area apartment operators and developers to identify open apartments for evacuees -- as well as other housing options through FEMA.

In addition, the Joint Task Force is working with corporate partners to secure the following items for Katrina evacuees once they are placed in their new longer-term homes: mattresses, furniture, bedding, toiletries and cookware. In addition, it is arranging for Red Cross visits and food-bank deliveries to all apartment complexes agreeing to assist Katrina survivors. The Joint Task Force has also arranged for the Texas Work Force Commission to coordinate job training for evacuees at all apartment complexes that have taken in more than 100 Katrina survivors.

About The Joint Katrina Housing Task Force

The Joint Katrina Housing Task Force is composed of officials from several Houston regional-housing authorities, as well as officials from FEMA, HUD and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Local public-safety authorities and non-profit entities are also assisting the Joint Task Force. As of now, it has placed 1,500 people into new longer-term housing - including 600 seniors. It hopes to place several hundred Katrina survivors in new homes each day. Guy Rankin from the Harris County Housing Authority is serving as the director of the Joint Task Force. Buddy Grantham is managing the Housing-Choice Center's operations. Grantham is a retired military officer with more than 20 years experience managing logistics for housing operations. John Walsh, Mayor White's deputy chief of staff for housing, is also helping lead the effort by identifying available housing and coordinating contracting processes.

# # #

[DJ V Lawrence]

I haven't heard any new news or heard of any new renderings on the Astrodome Hotel project.

What's going on? Has anyone heard anything new since late August?

[Houstonian in Iraq]

No. Isn't late Aug. around the time hrurricane Katrina hit.

I guess after the dome was used as a shelter all other ideas were put on the back burner.

How far along was the hotel idea? I forget.

[DJ V Lawrence]

No. Isn't late Aug. around the time hrurricane Katrina hit.

I guess after the dome was used as a shelter all other ideas were put on the back burner.

How far along was the hotel idea? I forget.

Last time I heard ANYthing, on August 19th or 20th, the Astrodome Redevelopment dudes came out with ONE rendering of that picture you saw of a riverwalk and hotel inside the Dome. But good point. Maybe Katrina was a factor as to why nothing's developed since then.

I'm curious if they are really serious about building this project, or if it was just a idea thrown in or something.

[KimberlySayWhat]

I'm curious if they are really serious about building this project, or if it was just a idea thrown in or something.

I'm thinking the latter. That would be more typical.

[Guest Plastic]

I'm quit upset witht he plans to rennovate our loved Astrodome. They want to turn it into a hotel.

I say no. Let's do one of the cooler things. Let's turn the Astrodome intoa nightclub. The Astrodisco would be it's name. WOuld be the world's largest nightclub. WOuld feature raves and concerts as well. It have lights,lasers and a giant discoball hanging from the roof of the Astrodome.

I say that or on indoor amusement park. Give us something since Astroworld's gone.

[west20th]

I'm quit upset witht he plans to rennovate our loved Astrodome. They want to turn it into a hotel.

I say no. Let's do one of the cooler things. Let's turn the Astrodome intoa nightclub. The Astrodisco would be it's name. WOuld be the world's largest nightclub. WOuld feature raves and concerts as well. It have lights,lasers and a giant discoball hanging from the roof of the Astrodome.

I say that or on indoor amusement park. Give us something since Astroworld's gone.

I'm speechless.

[C2H]

^^^ why???

[west20th]

^^^ why???

The Astro Disco? That is about the lamest idea I've heard.

[Guest Plastic]

The Astro Disco? That is about the lamest idea I've heard.

And The AstroHotel isn't?

Atleast it'd be something the citizens hOuston could have some fun off of.

[west20th]

And The AstroHotel isn't?

Atleast it'd be something the citizens hOuston could have some fun off of.

The hotel is pretty much a done deal. Perhaps we could discuss something that has the slimmest chance of ever happening.

[dalparadise]

I'd rather see it turned into rubble than the hotel thing they're working on. The dome is one of the last uniquely Houston buildings we have left. Surely Dallas is somehow behind the plans currently on the boards.

[ProHouston]

I'd rather see it turned into rubble than the hotel thing they're working on. The dome is one of the last uniquely Houston buildings we have left. Surely Dallas is somehow behind the plans currently on the boards.

Dallas heading up plans to save our Astrodome? Doubt it. They've been jealous since before they forgot to close that hole in Texas Stadium.

On topic: That disco thing isn't worth a reply...

[KimberlySayWhat]

Plastic:

and a giant discoball hanging from the roof of the Astrodome.

It would be too catastrophic if it were to fall. Can you imagine that? James Cameron would make a movie about it 20 years later.

[Dominax]

It should become a large Laser Quest Theme ill be the largest ever.

[MexAmerican_Moose]

damn...plastic has some pretty crazy ideas...i don't think a bigass nightclun would work out

[houstonmacbro]

The Astro Disco? That is about the lamest idea I've heard.

i actually think it's kinda cool ... except for the fact that clubs run their course and there would be no way to predict its longevity.

[houstonfella]

Dude, the folks that come up with financing in the range of half a billion can do what they want with the dome. We po folks can only dream.

[TxDave]

This sounds like a kinda cool, uniquely Houston concept.

I reminds me a little of Houston when I first visited/moved there in the late 80's/early 90's. The market was depressed enough where people could get many good places so cheap that they could do whatever they wanted - as long as they could pay "rent".

I am glad that Houston's economy is strong again, but the creativity that the slump encouraged cannot be easily duplicated today.

[houstonmacbro]

Dude, the folks that come up with financing in the range of half a billion can do what they want with the dome. We po folks can only dream.

ain't that that truth.

[houston-development]

i hereby nominate plastic as the greatest poster evr!!one!

[Gary]

Plastic I think this idea makes a lot of fiscal sense. The place would be pulling in at least $400,000 a year.

[houstonmacbro]

Plastic I think this idea makes a lot of fiscal sense. The place would be pulling in at least $400,000 a year.

yes, but that is BEFORE alcohol sales...

[TJones]

Plastic I think this idea makes a lot of fiscal sense. The place would be pulling in at least $400,000 a year.

Never fear Plastic, I am sure there will be a "themed" bar in the hotel, plenty big enough. I was a little upset, that they didn't go with my idea and turn it into the world's largest strip club. I thought that was a winner for sure.

Edited August 25, 2006 by TJones

[DJ V Lawrence]

I'm quit upset witht he plans to rennovate our loved Astrodome. They want to turn it into a hotel.

I say no. Let's do one of the cooler things. Let's turn the Astrodome intoa nightclub. The Astrodisco would be it's name. WOuld be the world's largest nightclub. WOuld feature raves and concerts as well. It have lights,lasers and a giant discoball hanging from the roof of the Astrodome.

I say that or on indoor amusement park. Give us something since Astroworld's gone.

Have you lost your mind? It's gotta mean something when a DJ is saying that a nightclub wouldn't work...

Have you ever heard of Transit? It's the name of the biggest rave ever in Houston history. The year was 2000. Over 20,000 people packed the AstroArena complex, and over 60 of the most hottest djs from around the world spun that night. People were reported to have driven from Florida and San Fransisco to check this party out. Radio stations mainstream and underground were broadcasting the mixes live across the country, and some on the internet were able to broadcast worldwide. It was supposed to be the rave that would have put Houston and electronic music on the mainstream clubbing/party map permantly....

I didn't get to go. I ended up working at a pizza parlor a little late to close up. The next night, I hear about the rave from all my friends, and they were telling me of all the celebrities they saw show up. It seemed Houston was abuzz about going out again...until two nights later when it was found out that News2Houston did a special 3-night special investigative report on raves and just so happened to have hidden cameras all over Transit. Come to find out, so did 20/20, CBS, MTV, and many others. They were cracking down on partiers under 18 going in without any prejudice, and the people who were jacking up the rave scene by doing drugs. In this case, they were doing drugs in the AstroArena, with an HPD presence, with an underage presense, in a facility funded by taxpayers.

As a result of the media, raves started to get raided and were automatically associated with drugs, though there are MANY people out there that are into electronic music but are anti-drug (like myself). Then after that, more big name djs had no place to spin but nightclubs, many of whom were not willing to shell out that kind of cash for a big name. As the buzz for the party scene died down, the only places left to check out the electronic music scene mainstream seemed to be Richmond Strip, and the Beat on 104KRBE Saturday nights. We all know where they stand today.

The electronic music scene needs HUGE help in Houston, but the AstroDisco probably wouldn't work. Reliant Park DOES have potential to have some kind of nightlife around or in it, but the hotel is a sure bet, whereas nightclubs in Houston now seem to have a lifespan of -3 years

[VelvetJ]

A giant Disco area? And some people had the nerve to shoot down my idea of turning the Dome into a giant snow skiing facility?

[Gary]

I was a little upset, that they didn't go with my idea and turn it into the world's largest strip club. I thought that was a winner for sure.

Now this is a good idea. >

[Montrose1100]

For once, Plastic has a good idea. But Houston isn't hot on the club scene... I doubt we'll ever be up there with New York, London, Paris, Ibiza, Detroit, S.F., Berlin, and so on.

[Gary]

For once, Plastic has a good idea. But Houston isn't hot on the club scene... I doubt we'll ever be up there with New York, London, Paris, Ibiza, Detroit, S.F., Berlin, and so on.

Your kidding, right?

[west20th]

Your kidding, right?

I know what you are hoping for. A shopping mall with lots and lots of upscale shopping!!!! Those Dallisites will be sooo jealous

[The Great Hizzy!]

A giant Disco area? And some people had the nerve to shoot down my idea of turning the Dome into a giant snow skiing facility?

LOL.

Maybe you two could merge concepts and offer the first "Disco Snow Skiing" facility in Texas (if not the country).

[Gary]

I know what you are hoping for. A shopping mall with lots and lots of upscale shopping!!!! Those Dallisites will be sooo jealous

Yeah, upscale shopping that would rival "New York, London, Paris, Ibiza, Detroit, S.F., Berlin, and so on". Oh I forgot Dallas.

This thread is actually becoming worse than Plastic's original post, if that's possible

[Montrose1100]

Yeah, upscale shopping that would rival "New York, London, Paris, Ibiza, Detroit, S.F., Berlin, and so on". Oh I forgot Dallas.

This thread is actually becoming worse than Plastic's original post, if that's possible

I beg your pardon, but I am a big fan of Techno/Electronica/House/Disco/-whatever its going by these days. As discussed in another thread about the Houston Club scene, we all simply wished for a bigger fan base and the awesome festivals/parades that come along with them.

I'm sure if they built it into a giant Beatles Museum (or another interest of yours), you would go Goo-Goo-ga-ga.

[Pumapayam]

Why is this topic in the "Going Up" thread.

There is already a workable topic that does not have Plastic's taint all over it.

Editor, can we remove this thread from the forum since is serves as both repitition and as an off-topic "what if" . . . and a dumb one at that.

[Gary]

I beg your pardon, but I am a big fan of Techno/Electronica/House/Disco/-whatever its going by these days. As discussed in another thread about the Houston Club scene, we all simply wished for a bigger fan base and the awesome festivals/parades that come along with them.

I'm sure if they built it into a giant Beatles Museum (or another interest of yours), you would go Goo-Goo-ga-ga.

Montrose, the feasability of your idea (and Plastics) is rediculous at best, regardless of what music your into. Think about it for a few minutes. How do you propose to finance this "club"? When contemplating this, think about how it would coincide with Texans games, the Rodeo, conventions, the electric bill, the lease, which is payable to the county, the HUGE, HUGE cleanup bill (remember the clients you'll be dealing with) etc, etc.

In short, the idea is insane and no financier on the planet would touch it. As Coog says, PRINT IT!

Edited August 25, 2006 by Gary

[TJones]

Montrose, the feasability of your idea (and Plastics) is rediculous at best, regardless of what music your into. Think about it for a few minutes. How do you propose to finance this "club"? When contemplating this, think about how it would coincide with Texans games, the Rodeo, conventions, the electric bill, the lease, which is payable to the county, the HUGE, HUGE cleanup bill (remember the clients you'll be dealing with) etc, etc.

In short, the idea is insane and no financier on the planet would touch it. As Coog says, PRINT IT!

Well there goes the $400,000 generated by the CLUB idea. Gary, how dare you squash Plastic's dream with rational thought and cost expenditures. Bad Gary, no cookie !

[tierwestah]

Plastic is a joke. But his ideas are so crazy enough to work.

[Pumapayam]

I sometimes think Plastic is another one of those duel personalities on HAIF, like Gary/RedScare pair.

Edited August 25, 2006 by Pumapayam

[Guest Plastic]

It wouldn't just be a club but a concert theater. We tear off the back half of the seating at The Astrodome and make it a place for stages.

The floor and back half would serve for seating. It would be a stadium sized theater.

As for the club, we'd have to have some sort of removable walls. It wouldn't be one club but several. A 2 story maze of clubs,lunges, and bars. The multiclub concept like City Streets. Have Techno-Trance in one room,Hip Hop in one, Industrial-Goth in one,metal in one,Punk , in another. There's be 2 larger rooms for concerts and main dance areas.

I say a nightclub,amusement park, or giant indoor rainforest like at MoodyGardens. There was onces a plan to make it a giant movie theater. If you thought Imax was something.......... Houston lacksvenues. We have an open space we nee to use it for events. If we ever do get the Olympics in Houston we'd need it.Maybe a giant entertainment complex. Nightclubs,resteraunts,movie theater, arcade, casino,and a hotel. Some of the seats could be left for concerts and events.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

LOL.

Maybe you two could merge concepts and offer the first "Disco Snow Skiing" facility in Texas (if not the country).

Studio 54 had your idea beat by a few decades.

There were mountains of powder there every night.

[DJ V Lawrence]

I think Montrose1100 and Plastic's hearts are in the right place. House/trance/progressive/drum&bass/ALL forms of electronica music NEED a boost in Houston in the baddest way. And our nightlife needs much more energy than it currently has. We were on the right track in the late 90s, but as a whole, the energy level in the night sector has been decreasing. Super Bowl's Main Event on Main Street is what I expected from the downtown clubbing scene, and what I've seen there since I've been back has been anything but. Until Main Street downtown CONSISTANTLY looks and feels as hot as it did in January/February 2004, we could consider ourselves where we would want to be on the clubbing map.

I think the Astrodome's current plans are exactly what Reliant needs. Plastic, I disagree with your idea about the Astrodome, but I like your creativity. If anything, I would like to hear more ideas about what would bring Main Street downtown and/or Richmond Strip into an atmosphere the world would want to travel to Houston for.

[Guest Plastic]

Houston's golden age for clubbing was in The 80s and early 90s. Everything since that has been crap. They one that came and tore our image down was The Roxy. Everything after that was downhill.

Downtown was never really ment to be the place for clubing. This whole Downtown rennovation thing has got that started. Houston actually ranked first after New York in nightlife one time. The age of DOwntown is over. People are tired of it, the scene is changing and the clubs are all starting to play Hip Hop. Downtown won't be much in 5 years if this trend continues.

[dalparadise]

It wouldn't just be a club but a concert theater. We tear off the back half of the seating at The Astrodome and make it a place for stages.

The floor and back half would serve for seating. It would be a stadium sized theater.

As for the club, we'd have to have some sort of removable walls. It wouldn't be one club but several. A 2 story maze of clubs,lunges, and bars. The multiclub concept like City Streets. Have Techno-Trance in one room,Hip Hop in one, Industrial-Goth in one,metal in one,Punk , in another. There's be 2 larger rooms for concerts and main dance areas.

I say a nightclub,amusement park, or giant indoor rainforest like at MoodyGardens. There was onces a plan to make it a giant movie theater. If you thought Imax was something.......... Houston lacksvenues. We have an open space we nee to use it for events. If we ever do get the Olympics in Houston we'd need it.Maybe a giant entertainment complex. Nightclubs,resteraunts,movie theater, arcade, casino,and a hotel. Some of the seats could be left for concerts and events.

Oh yeah...City Streets was great. Nothing like using a stupid failed suburban nightclub concept to prove your half-assed idea is viable.

If the market will support electronic music, someone will make money on it. If it won't, no one will. Why is that so hard to figure out?

[TJones]

Houston's golden age for clubbing was in The 80s and early 90s. Everything since that has been crap. They one that came and tore our image down was The Roxy. Everything after that was downhill.

Downtown was never really ment to be the place for clubing. This whole Downtown rennovation thing has got that started. Houston actually ranked first after New York in nightlife one time. The age of DOwntown is over. People are tired of it, the scene is changing and the clubs are all starting to play Hip Hop. Downtown won't be much in 5 years if this trend continues.

This post proves to me that you were either 1) Not old enough to go to clubs in the 80's and 90's. OR 2) You may have been old enough to go but have never actually been to any of the places you have mentioned . I will bet dollars to doughnuts, you have never stepped foot inside of Roxy back in the 90's. You have probably never even heard of The Yucatan Liquor Stand, and it was THE number ONE seller of liquor in Texas as well as The United States at one time, and it didn't close until the mid 90's. You've never been to Red Square, you've never been to NRG's or 6400, you've never been to Emo's or Club Some. Admit it !

[houstonfella]

Plastic, what is a lunge??????

[Gary]

Aside from the fact that this thread is obsurd, I don't understand why most of you think we need this surge in electronica to fuel a night club scene. Houston has quietly become a mecca for blues and rockabilly clubs, which by the way have been doing quite well for years. Not to mention the big Rock venues opening almost yearly, all of which are doing quite well.

Don't mean to sound harsh, but these club ideas seem to be extremely narrow.

[Guest Plastic]

This post proves to me that you were either 1) Not old enough to go to clubs in the 80's and 90's. OR 2) You may have been old enough to go but have never actually been to any of the places you have mentioned . I will bet dollars to doughnuts, you have never stepped foot inside of Roxy back in the 90's. You have probably never even heard of The Yucatan Liquor Stand, and it was THE number ONE seller of liquor in Texas as well as The United States at one time, and it didn't close until the mid 90's. You've never been to Red Square, you've never been to NRG's or 6400, you've never been to Emo's or Club Some. Admit it !

SO I guess I've never heard of Bayou Mamas, The Ocean Club,Metronome, Detour , ETC, Shelter, Zazz, Bahama Mama's, Blue Star,Kaboom, or Blue Planet. Yes Some was alright, I liked it better when it became Hyperia. It and Numbers were one of the few true Houston clubs we have left. Hmm I wonder why I haven't heard of 6400 the place that was playing underground and Industrial on the loate 80s Richmind Strip. Or NRG, the place where Extacy became popular. Yes I've been to the Roxy, and it sucks as well as all the clubs Downtown. It may be nicer and hyped but the attitude ,dress code, and music sucks.

[houstonfella]

Plastic ... you are out there but I do enjoy your posts even though they are sometimes way, way out there. Coolness ... keep us cool cuz you can.

[TJones]

SO I guess I've never heard of Bayou Mamas, The Ocean Club,Metronome, Detour , ETC, Shelter, Zazz, Bahama Mama's, Blue Star,Kaboom, or Blue Planet. Yes Some was alright, I liked it better when it became Hyperia. It and Numbers were one of the few true Houston clubs we have left. Hmm I wonder why I haven't heard of 6400 the place that was playing underground and Industrial on the loate 80s Richmind Strip. Or NRG, the place where Extacy became popular. Yes I've been to the Roxy, and it sucks as well as all the clubs Downtown. It may be nicer and hyped but the attitude ,dress code, and music sucks.

I will give you The Ocean Club, and Kaboom, I only give you kaboom because I used to work for the McWilliams brothers during the Shark Dance and Kaboom heyday, they also owned D2R, and Metronome. I am surprised you didn't mention Ectasy Club on Richmond @ 610 where "X" was free to the public in a big fishbowl as you entered the club.

But, Blue Planet, and Bayou Mama's, you should be flogged just for uttering those names out of your mouth.

There are just as many clubs playing Electronica now as there were back then. So, IMO the heyday is not over, you can still go get your fix.

Edited August 26, 2006 by TJones