TheNiche Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 It is a different way a of saying "out in the middle of no where", like Katy or Fairfield, or Bridgelands.I will PM you, it is a vulgar acronym. Oh, ok. I like Egypt, but it doesn't strike me as a gay community. Well without the creation of new suburban housing at the urban boundary where land is affordable, the price pressures in the city would be immense. The suburbs are the best things that ever happened for extremely poor people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 The suburbs are the best things that ever happened for extremely poor people.And in the mean time, Hearth!Those places listed, they must have been rentals before condos I assume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 And in the mean time, Hearth!Those places listed, they must have been rentals before condos I assume.They have been condos since at least 1988, which is as far back as HCAD records go for this property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 From Houstonist editor Jim:Friends --As you might have heard, the future of the Astrodome is in jeopardy. A plan has been announced to turn the stadium into a hotel, but the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo are strongly opposed to that plan. The Texans and Rodeo say they're in favor of preserving the building, but it's not clear what form that preservation might take.The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance is keeping track of the situation and favors a responsible Dome redevelopment that would preserve the stadium's historic integrity and restore its exterior to its original 1965 appearance. If you support preservation of the Dome, please consider signing GHPA's online petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/astrodome -- and take a minute to forward the information to anyone else you think might be interested, too.The important thing to remember here is that Harris County taxpayers paid for the Astrodome and continue to own it. We should have a say in the Dome's future, and if enough Harris County residents voice their support for responsible redevelopment, officials will be foolish not to listen.Thanks!Jimhttp://www.ipetitions.com/petition/astrodome/please note that after you sign, you ARE NOT required to donate money - you can ignore that screen as your signature has already been recorded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProHouston Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Signed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Here is the GHPA official announcement/page:http://ghpa.org/astrodome/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Signed it.Me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapturematt Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Not that I really want to stir the bee nest, but I really think it would be great if they made a hotel like they Gaylord in DFW or the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. I would really like to see the integrity of the exterior be restored, but the interior is really starting to fall apart. Why don't we want to see this happen?Either way, I want to keep my eye out on how to get some seats before the get rid of them. My grandmother had season tickets for years and i would love to try and get those seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gto250us Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 The damn place needs to be torn down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 The damn place needs to be torn down.I agree completely. It'd only cost a little bit more than maintaining it in mothballs indefinitely and even using it from time to time, but hey...what are public funds for if not blowing things up?In fact, I so strongly support your 'massively wasteful explosion' approach to public policy that we really ought to give some serious thought to blowing up the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas while we're at it. Heck, we can even set off a tactical nuclear warhead in Memorial Park...that'd be tremendously expensive and so thoroughly eradicate it that we wouldn't have to worry about pesky citizens using it again for decades.Besides, these are all underutilized places, after all...and if they were mistakes to have developed in the first place, then surely destroying them will return to our budget all the funds that they have cost us to date.If I may make a suggestion, a wise man such as yourself really ought to take these fresh ideas to Washington D.C. You can shout them from the steps of the Capitol building. "Blow up the White House!" "Blow up the Capitol!" "Blow up the Pentagon!" "And while we're at it, eradicate the vacant spaces between our politicians' ears!" Surely people would rally in support of your charisma, charm, and insight. Change. Hope. Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Wow. An online petition. The GHPA is really going all-out on this one. I think I've grown cynical about the usefulness of preservation efforts in Houston. We can all sign petitions for weeks, but it's not going to change anything. Look at the roster of people lined up trying to save the River Oaks shopping center, and that all came to nothing. With respect to the Astrodome specifically, I've never been convinced that in the long run it can be preserved. Used stadiums are difficult to convert to other uses. Offhand, I can't think of anything comparable that has been redeveloped. The proposed hotel plan would have entailed changes that would have significantly modified the original exterior, which kind of defeats the purpose of preservation. It would be nice to see the Dome saved, but in this case it is a difficult argument to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapturematt Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Well either way, I am sure a compromise would be closer if we focused on making it useful again. I will be surprised if there is ever a sporting event to be held in it again, but maybe the hotel idea would be good. Who knows, with a hotel that close to Reliant Stadium, maybe we can get another bid for a Super Bowl in the future. That would great for the economy as well. I am really interested though in seeing the proposed hotel plans. Does anyone know where I can find those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Saving the dome is not a easy as it sounds I'm sure. For one thing If it were remodeled it would be ugly as hell. Right now it looks so dated and is so out of place compared to reliant. Like having an old, rusted car on the lawn next to a brand new one. It served its purpose well. Time to lay the flowers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb4647 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Some slides my Dad took during the 60's of the Dome during it's glory days: Under Construction: 1st Exhibition game with the Yankees in April, 1965: In the Summer of 1968 (from Astroworld): Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapturematt Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Cool Pics. Thanks for posting. I really miss the times that I spent in the Astrodome. I remember being a kid and going to the 86 All Star game, watching Nolan get his 4000th strikeout, and Darrel Strawberry hit the longest homerun I have ever seen all in the same year. What a great place, I will never forget it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Great shots. What is that lady wearing? The first photo gives you a feel for what made the Dome so impressive: its sheer size rising above a huge parking lot. I never got tired of seeing it when approaching from the South Loop. When Reliant was built the Astrodome was smaller, and it lost that rising-above-the-prairie look that made it such a landmark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Thanks for posting those pictures - and the lady's hair is extraordinary! And yes, in my opinion, Reliant overwhelms the dome and uglified everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Some slides my Dad took during the 60's of the Dome during it's glory days: Under Construction: Forget the dome I want that car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJB857 Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I am stunned that not more of you have signed the petition. We have to save the Astrodome. This is what defined Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb4647 Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I am stunned that not more of you have signed the petition. We have to save the Astrodome. This is what defined Houston.The petition won't do a thing. Something I've learned along time ago is that when the powers-that-be decide on a course of action, that's what they will do. When the land that Astroworld grew in value, they sold it and tore it down. The same thing will happen to the dome. Investors do not leave money on the table for sentimental reasons...regardless of how many petitions get signed. It ain't fair but life just isn't fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I am stunned that not more of you have signed the petition. We have to save the Astrodome. This is what defined Houston.It did. And now is an opportune time to re-define Houston. Nothing's permanent---not here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I am stunned that not more of you have signed the petition. We have to save the Astrodome. This is what defined Houston.I am of the opposition, I say take it all down, gut it first, and try to sell off as memorabilia pieces, but since the city council is so stupid as to NOT use it for the Dynamo as their "New" stadium, the Dome is of NO VALUE, whatsoever. All it is now is a money pit. We need to quit spending money on security guards and the light bill for this place and turn it into parking already. I have quite possibly been to the Dome more than ANYONE else on this forum, except for somebody that has worked there. I love the place, but it is time to let it go if they aren;t gonna use it for ANYTHING ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I have never really liked the Dome. So I would have no qualms if they tore it down. But that's not my decision since I am no longer a resident there. I have many, many great memories from going to the Dome. I still have my ticket from the UH/UCLA Hayes/Alcindor basketball game, the one that put college basketball in the Big Time. I saw Clay fight Big Cat Williams there. I saw Jamie Bravo gored by a bull, just as he was in every performance there. I saw the first soccer game played there, although I was so bored I think I fell asleep and SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORED!I saw the worst pro football game ever played there. It was the Oilers and the Steelers when Pastorinni and Bradshaw were both rookies. Pittsburgh won 10-7. Both teams were so inept it was laughable. The other 10 people in the crowd thought it was boring, too!I have all those and many, many more memories of the Dome, but still I disliked the place. It made you feel like you were watching a show that a sporting event. It was just too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 The Dome lady: Hulda: I'm just saying.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 The Dome lady: Hulda: Those were absolutely wonderful slide's his dad took! and yep I want the car too! and these two hip ladies are real B-52 Girls! Cool flips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57Tbird Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Some slides my Dad took during the 60's of the Dome during it's glory days:1st Exhibition game with the Yankees in April, 1965: This was not the first exhibition game with the Yankees. I attended that game on a Friday night, and the Astros won 2-1. The scoreboard clock here reads 3:53. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 This was not the first exhibition game with the Yankees. I attended that game on a Friday night, and the Astros won 2-1. The scoreboard clock here reads 3:53.I don't know if it was this game or not, but at one of the first games, Julius LsRoas sang the National Anthem - and forgot the words! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb4647 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 This was not the first exhibition game with the Yankees. I attended that game on a Friday night, and the Astros won 2-1. The scoreboard clock here reads 3:53.Hate to disagree with ya there bud, but my Dad was pretty specific when he wrote this information on his boxes of slides. Also, here is a link to the covrage of that first game. It started at 2:35. I would have to think that was PM and not Am:http://www.astrosdaily.com/history/19650409/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 (edited) The scoreboard clock here reads 3:53Maybe that was the time left in the game?JB, if the game started at 2:35, and the clock shows 3:53. that means they played the game in a little over an hour. I would swear the opening game with the Yankees was played at night. It was probably one of the biggest single day events in the City's history. If anyone remembers, the very first event in the Dome open to the public was a sellout. It took place a week or so before the Yankees series. The event? It was the Boy Scouts Jamboree. People didn't care about the event. They just wanted to be the first to see the Dome.ETA:JB, I looked at the link you provided. The story says the first game was an Astros win, 2-1 in 12 innings. In your picture, the 'Stros won 3-2 in 9 innings. That picture is surely not the first game. Besides, I wouldn't argue with the man who taught Nolan everything there was to know about pitching. In fact, rumor has it that T-Bird also taught Satchel Paige, but that can't be confirmed. Edited February 3, 2008 by Heights2Bastrop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Maybe that was the time left in the game?I sure hope this was a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 I sure hope this was a joke.Yeah, me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Yeah, me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 BTW, I am in the 4th inning here right now. I gave up my DishTV a couple of weeks ago, so I am watching my old tapes and CDs. At this moment I am watching Ken Burns' Baseball, the 4th inning - 1920-29, the heyday of The Babe, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Conversation overheard at 3:53 pm at the Inaugeral Astrodome game between the Yankees and Astros:RedScare: "What's the score?"Heights2Bastrop: "0-0"RedScare: "Who's winning?"Heights2Bastrop: "The Bears." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heights2Bastrop Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Well, it was a given DA Bears would win - Bobby Douglas was starting quarterback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57Tbird Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Hate to disagree with ya there bud, but my Dad was pretty specific when he wrote this information on his boxes of slides. Also, here is a link to the covrage of that first game. It started at 2:35. I would have to think that was PM and not Am:http://www.astrosdaily.com/history/19650409/It was at night. I was there.All below is from your link above..Woodeshick had tossed five innings and was done for the night.The stars came out at night in Houston, even if it was under a roof. Mantle and Fox both rose to the occasion, as they so often did. Each would later be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The big scoreboard's 45-second "ecstasy" display for a Houston victory or home run was set off at the end of the eighth inning on opening night for the President's benefit, although the Astros were locked in a tie at the time. Game Played on Friday, April 9, 1965 (N) at Astrodome (This was in the box score info. N for night game. D for day game) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F. Barnes Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Here's a better copy of the photo taken by Bill Meeks (Retired API Photographer), opening day, real grass on the field, Yanks and the Astros, what a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 The big scoreboard's 45-second "ecstasy" display for a Houston victory or home run was set off at the end of the eighth inning on opening night for the President's benefit, although the Astros were locked in a tie at the time. Game Played on Friday, April 9, 1965 (N) at Astrodome (This was in the box score info. N for night game. D for day game)Don't get too technical there, some of us might not be able to understand those hi-tech symbols for the day and night games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F. Barnes Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Here's another cool photo I like, from Colt 45 stadium, with the "Dome going up in the background. The begining of a new era in stadiums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark F. Barnes Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 It was at night. I was there.All below is from your link above..Woodeshick had tossed five innings and was done for the night.The stars came out at night in Houston, even if it was under a roof. Mantle and Fox both rose to the occasion, as they so often did. Each would later be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The big scoreboard's 45-second "ecstasy" display for a Houston victory or home run was set off at the end of the eighth inning on opening night for the President's benefit, although the Astros were locked in a tie at the time. Game Played on Friday, April 9, 1965 (N) at Astrodome (This was in the box score info. N for night game. D for day game)Man I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my birthday present from my Grandfather. We were both avid baseball fans. Opening day was my birthday, it was a Friday afternoon and I was a teenage kid in awe of the entire thing. We drove down from Bryan that morning, was the rare chance to get another look at "The Mick" in person. Even though he was only a shell of the once great player he was, he was still Mickey Mantle, and that was enough. He was coming off of the '64 Series, that arguably enough even though it was his last, was maybe his greatest he ever played. Because if you were a fan, and knew your stuff, you knew under those pinstripes was a walking mummy or bandages and wraps. The man was virtually crippled, but would still step it up when the chips were down. And that Friday morning I was on my way to perhaps see the last peek at "The Mick" in the flesh. I actually shook his hand in Northpark Mall in Dallas in 1989, he was there for a trading card deal, and was just strolling through the Mall, and no one even knew who he was. But that day in the dome, even though he stayed in the game another few years, was the last time I ever got to see him play in person ever again. I walked into the place, the largest building I had ever seen, and I had to just stand there for a few minutes and take it all in. It is something I will never forget as long as I live. I have been in several other domes over the years, including the current Reliant Park, and none of them took my breath away like the original article. There is and always will ever be one "Astrodome". Just a dumbstruck teenage kid from Bryan Texas, that was seeing history in the making, and it eventually changed stadiums for everyone. A/C, NO MOSQUITOS, and at the time the coolest scoreboard in the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57Tbird Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Don't get too technical there, some of us might not be able to understand those hi-tech symbols for the day and night games. Sorry if I went over your head. I just wanted to cover all bases for those who might not know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Man I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my birthday present from my Grandfather. We were both avid baseball fans. Opening day was my birthday, it was a Friday afternoon and I was a teenage kid in awe of the entire thing. We drove down from Bryan that morning, was the rare chance to get another look at "The Mick" in person. Even though he was only a shell of the once great player he was, he was still Mickey Mantle, and that was enough. He was coming off of the '64 Series, that arguably enough even though it was his last, was maybe his greatest he ever played. Because if you were a fan, and knew your stuff, you knew under those pinstripes was a walking mummy or bandages and wraps. The man was virtually crippled, but would still step it up when the chips were down. And that Friday morning I was on my way to perhaps see the last peek at "The Mick" in the flesh. I actually shook his hand in Northpark Mall in Dallas in 1989, he was there for a trading card deal, and was just strolling through the Mall, and no one even knew who he was. But that day in the dome, even though he stayed in the game another few years, was the last time I ever got to see him play in person ever again. I walked into the place, the largest building I had ever seen, and I had to just stand there for a few minutes and take it all in. It is something I will never forget as long as I live. I have been in several other domes over the years, including the current Reliant Park, and none of them took my breath away like the original article. There is and always will ever be one "Astrodome". Just a dumbstruck teenage kid from Bryan Texas, that was seeing history in the making, and it eventually changed stadiums for everyone. A/C, NO MOSQUITOS, and at the time the coolest scoreboard in the business.I agree that even though Reliant may be bigger, it simply doesn't have the impact that the Astrodome had. I remember as a kid the Astrodome was enough of a tourist attraction that there were tours given on non-game days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Otto Mation) Posted February 10, 2008 Share Posted February 10, 2008 The usual suspects put their blinders on and line up to wag their tongues at progress  · Houston Chronicle content includes: an article, photos.   View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Oh well ... I am starting to think people don't want it to go away, but they really don't want to do anything with it. So we (taxpayers) end up footing the $3M bill each year to keep it open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Hofeinz' daugher had and Op/Ed piece in the Sunday paper. Anyone have a link? I only have the print copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Hofeinz' daugher had and Op/Ed piece in the Sunday paper. Anyone have a link? I only have the print copy.http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editor...ok/5527925.htmlMy father, Roy Hofheinz, was Harris County judge the year I was born. He was just 24.He became mayor of Houston at age 40. During those years my Daddy/Daughter time with him was spent going to minor league baseball games at Buff Stadium. Frustrated by the many rainchecks that cut into our time together I asked simply, "Why can't we play baseball inside?"He teasingly accused me of taking his "smart pills." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyKat Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 (edited) Whats the highest and best use for that property? I'd say tear it down. It's obsolete. I don't think it's historical value, if it actually has any, is anything close to what we're paying for upkeep. Maybe they should look at it from the point of view of a private owner, who would have, I'm sure, scrapped it long ago. If there was any use at all for that place, It wouldn't still be vacant. I believe the only reason it's still standing is to placate the crowds who say it has historical value. But mark my words, after it sits vacant a few more years, it will be imploded. Just have to wait out the historical nuts. Maybe a voter referrendum is in order, if anyone actually cares. It's a political hot potato as well.Cykat Edited February 12, 2008 by CyKat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Whats the highest and best use for that property? I'd say tear it down. It's obsolete. I don't think it's historical value, if it actually has any, is anything close to what we're paying for upkeep. Maybe they should look at it from the point of view of a private owner, who would have, I'm sure, scrapped it long ago. If there was any use at all for that place, I wouldn't be still vacant. I believe the only reason it's still standing is to placate the crowds who say it has historical value. But mark my words, after it sits vacant a few more years, it will be imploded. Just have to wait out the historical nuts. Maybe a voter referrendum is in order, if anyone actually cares. It's a political hot potato as well.CykatI tend to agree. I am not sure ANY developer is gonna come up with a viable plan for it. Am I also correct that many of the country's first domed stadiums have already been demolished? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Chenevert Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 knock it down... lets not let emotions force us to re-use something that is past its prime. This aint a bungalow in the heights people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 knock it down... lets not let emotions force us to re-use something that is past its prime. This aint a bungalow in the heights people.Chenevert, Kat, you do realize that the cost of knocking it down exceeds the net present value cost of maintaining it as-is in perpetuity, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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