Simbha

Since it will cost over $100 million to demolish the dome and many people are aginst spending tax dollars, why not give the dome to any developer who promises a lavish development there. One restraint would be construction/renovation must start within a year after the developer has control over the land or they will be fined and must give the dome back to the city.

The city does not own the dome.

rsb320 is (of course) correct. But, there's also the fact that the county owes USD 30 MM in debt on the Dome, so their preferred option would a business model which can use the space to generate income sufficient to maintain operations and satisfy the debt.

3 million for maintenance a year? Someone is pocketing a lot of money because from that video you can see there's been no maintenance done on the inside of the Dome.

Are there particular individuals put in charge of "maintaining" the dome? Perhaps the video should cause the public to re-evaluate their roles in the county government?

That $3 million covers several categories of expenditures - not just physical maintenance of the facility's structure. It also includes utilities, insurance and security. If it included clean-up, it would be significantly more than this figure, and there would be no benefit because no one enters the facility; I'm fairly certain that the county officials/Reliant Park management are pushing off these expenses to a future developer (or, at least, until a time of future development.

That some photos and video have been released that show that the area is 'dirty' isn't a justification for vilifying the authorities in charge of its maintenance. In fact, I would be livid if my tax dollars were being used to keep the Astrodome 'pretty'. The burst pipe in the video is a bit concerning, but not entirely surprising, but the rest is irrelevant unless the facility is used again as a sports venue.

I would like it to turn into a Houston Sports Museum.

As much as I'd like to see this happen, sports museums are virtually impossible to sustain - and that certainly goes for one of this size. In recent years, eleven proposals for sports museums across the country have come forth. Nearly all have either found little support or - if they've actually begun operations - are financial pits. This is the case even in cities with much more storied sports histories than Houston. The SportsMuseum of LA closed its doors to the public (still open for invitation-only guests) after only three months of operation.

The two only moderately-successful examples of a city-based sports museums of which I'm aware are the Sports Museum of New England in Boston and the San Diego Hall of Champions. The SportsMuseum of New England gets a HUGE break on their rental in the TD Garden -- only USD 40k per year for their 20k square feet of space. If they were paying, say, a nominal rate of USD 25 per square foot, their rent alone would basically eat up their entire revenue stream. And, let's not forget that the TD Garden is the home of both the Bruins (6 Stanley Cups) and the Celtics (17 national championships), and the museum also contains memorabilia relating to the Red Sox (7 World Series titles), Patriots (3 national championships) and the Boston Marathon... and even with ALL THAT - the museum barely squeaks by, financially. I don't know financials for the SDHoC, but that's the oldest multi-sport museum in the country. It's 70k square feet in Balboa Park. I believe that it's 80% supported by the city itself - something Houston likely would not do - and Houston has nowhere near the championships of these other cities (the Rockets and Dynamo being the only top-tier sports teams that have won national championships).

So, now compare the 20k and 70k square feet of the Boston and San Diego museums with the nearly one million (total) square feet of the Dome. I don't think the issue with these other museums is that they're too small, so building the Dome out as a sports museum would appear to be an unsustainable endeavor.

My fear is that by selling it, the new buyers may not be dedicated to keeping it as a retail destination as its initial plan indicated. The original developers have already deviated from their intent in trying to grab whatever occupants it could just to keep their heads above water (IE NRG/Reliant office space). I hope we don't see anymore boring office space.

Actually, I wouldn't mind this - and here's why: There's no strong reason why Downtown has to be this city's shopping district. Sure, there's the Macy's (the Galleria locations are superior, IMO) and The Shops (small and mostly a 'local' outlet for downtown workers), but I don't see Downtown as ever being a prime shopping destination. Instead, what I'd like to see happen is that the city support better pedestrian and transportation infrastructure in the Galleria/Uptown area, where many of the city's premier shopping destinations already exist. But, that doesn't seem to be the priority.

Demolition. Parking lot or gasp, condos.

The astrodome site seems like a horrible location for residential, hotel and office space. It's right next to Reliant and too far from any streets to create any sense of place. Some sort of museum would fit ok I think because people are just visiting it. It would feel weird to live there or stay in as a hotel. Just imagine seeing lots of parking lot out your window.; not very inviting.

I won't say "impossible," but residential is pretty much out of the question. If the Dome is demolished, it'll largely be because principal stakeholders (in particular, the Rodeo) want to clear out the space to create better flow throughout the entire area. Demolishing it and then building out any sort of residential would fly in the face of this purpose.

A museum is possible, but there are significant challenges to that - one of which I've just stated (stakeholders wanting more flow), but there are others. One of the biggest reasons nothing's been done with the Dome up to now is that there are just so many people/organizations with claims to this space - each of which want to do something different, and all of which wield some political clout.

We'll see how things progress going forward, but any organization hoping to do something with the facility (including demo'ing it) have their work cut out for them.

I checked it out yesterday as well. It's a really cool looking store. The only problem is going to be the heat I think... it felt a little warm in there yesterday and it wasn't more than 80 degrees outside. The summer might be pretty rough.

I'm not saying you're 'wrong', but I wonder if there's just a period of adjustment to get the climate control systems appropriately set. Plus, it's spring... I always have trouble figuring out how to set my thermostats in the springtime.

Does the tinted glass still allow us to see the Chinese workers?

Of course. It's designed so that we can see in, but they can't see out.

Texans owner Bob Mcnair was on 610 today. I didn't hear the entire interview but from the hosts comments I think Mcnairs vote is to tear it down and build a hotel to attrtact another super bowl. Imsure the podcast is on their website by now. I'd check but my bb is too slow.

The 2004 Super Bowl was a strong success, but it's not likely that Houston will get another Super Bowl for some time. First, the next three Super Bowls (2013-2015) are already set, so the next available one is 2016. Super Bowls tend (but not always) to go to cities that build new stadiums. There are currently four metros with definite plans to build a new stadium: the Bay Area, Minneapolis, LA and San Diego. Beyond those, four additional teams have stadiums that are over 30 years old today: Green Bay (Lambeau), Kansas City (Arrowhead), Buffalo (Ralph Wilson) and New Orleans (Superdome). New Orleans already has the 2013 Super Bowl, so it won't be in the running again for some time, I think. That essentially leaves seven additional metros (eight teams - Oakland and SF would likely share one stadium) making a strong case to host the big game after 2016. If they all get it (unlikely, but this is all educated speculation anyway)... Houston won't really vie for a spot again until around 2020ish. At that time, Reliant Stadium will be 18+ years old, and clear decisions will have (hopefully) been made about the Dome anyway...

Also, I was thinking. All of our sports teams now have a new stadium. Would it be possible to pass a law that says no more tax dollars for funding stadiums? It seems stadium life spans are about 30 years, so this would give owners the opportunity to start saving now, knowing that tax dollars will not be there. Of course, some might say that will just give them incentive to find a new city that will provide money. Just a thought.

I think this is a wonderful idea! But, it probably won't fly. The standard rhetoric today is that billionaire team owners hold the cards - and those cards spell economic impact for the region. It would take a truly visionary team owner (and city leaders) to make this happen, and I don't think that combination is likely anywhere. And, as you've said, owners have other options.

Regarding the question about what to do with the Dome... I'm not at liberty to disclose too much at this time, but I'll simply state that I am involved in an effort to bring a proposal for the renovation of the Dome to county officials at this time. If our vision is realized, Houston will have something truly unique that - in our opinion and analysis - will benefit the regional population while, at the same time, elevating Houston's status as a global city. We will divulge more once we've hit a couple more milestones (or don't).

After looking at the rendering, it basically looks like one city block with an open field, trees surrounding it, and some very small, shallow pools. I'm not expecting much from this as far as the park itself. The retail space will make the area nicer though.

My comment isn't about the rendering - but rather what should be done with the space.

How about tennis courts and a driving range? Midtown people are active, let's give them something to do in their own neighborhood. Normally, you have to drive to Memorial for these things and it's always packed.

I'm personally opposed to this, and I live in the vicinity of this space. Tennis courts and driving ranges are only enjoyable by a relatively small proportion of people, and then only in limited numbers at a time. For example, a driving range would need to be at least 600 feet in length (probably more) - most of which is open space taken up by lawn and green... unusable by people directly. I'd rather see a plaza that can directly be utilized by relatively large groups of people simultaneously.

If it's a plaza, don't let the City get anywhere close to it. Jones Plaza was a great place until it was "improved". We went there every week. Now, it's a boring palce with no redeeming qualities.

Yeah, that sucked. I'm not against open-air performance venues AT ALL - but I wish the city maintained the existence of true plazas in its central core.

I agree with both of you and would submit the idea of an adaptable multi-use space should be a consideration. Perhaps something like a sculpture garden with some kind of running water, but that's open enough that it could double as a small amphitheater or open air market on the weekends.

But yeah, I'll put a different spin on it, too. What these greedy green-space-wanting morons in Midtown don't seem to realize is that this is next to the light rail. Tourists might theoretically ride by and it should be a strategic policy goal that hypothetical tourists (possibly from Dallas) are impressed by the urban environment that we build for them to the exclusion of our citizens' own recreational opportunities. (Otherwise, they'll go home all pouty and write bad reviews about our senselessly hallowed burger joints. We can't have that, people! Something must be done!)

Yeah, I agree with the idea of having a plaza. In fact, this could easily become a signature space for Houston, being along the rail line and in the middle of an important, developing and central area of the city. Something along the lines of a bricked space with fountains and minimal statuary. Because I visit Spain very often, and have a place in Barcelona, I'll refer to the Plaça de Catalunya (Plaza of Catalonia) as the archetype of is being suggested: a central space with fountains, benches, etc that has multiple uses, including the potential for small concerts/festivals.

I'd think that area developers would get behind such an idea, as it would likely increase the value of their properties significantly.

I don't know much about how these things work, but if someone could direct me to a meeting where I could voice my opinion on this, I'd be happy to do so.

I guess more "Union square" than "Memorial park." Part of the urban fabric, not just a patch of grass with a playground and softball field.

Agreed. Put slightly differently (at least, in my interpretation): More plaza, less park. I think that's a better option for this space.

1.5 acres? How can that possibly be the case? That land must be at least 200-225' by 1,000' - roughly five acres. Is the entire contiguous space not being developed into the park?

Don't get me wrong - this is great news for Houston - but it seems woefully inadequate. If the city is going to rebuild its convention/tradeshow market, it needs at least 2,500 additional hotel rooms downtown - immediately.

Another thing at which I take umbrage is the heading of the CultureMap piece, "[...] it's going to be Texas big." Umm... a 1,000-room hotel isn't huge. By comparison, Dallas has four 1,000+-room hotels in or near downtown - the Sheraton (1,840 rooms), the Hilton Anatole (1,608), the Hyatt Regency (1,120), and the Omni (1,001). And, including these, there are around 30 non-resort hotels nationwidewhich are larger than even the Hilton Americas.

The number of very large (1,000+ room) hotels is not necessarily the best indicator - but this city needs far more hotel rooms around both the GRB and Reliant Park if we're going to be more than a mediocre convention town.

The funny thing about the convention business is that organizers are looking for places like Houston! The (comparably) low room rates, rental fees, and drayage/labor rates are hugely positive factors for the city in attracting professional conferences. Plus, many meeting planners have openly voiced their concern that the 'hot' areas for meetings over the past twenty years - Anaheim, Vegas and Orlando - have too many distractions for non-leisure conventions. Houston could easily position itself, like Chicago, to attract these meetings it had adequate proximate accommodations.

I happened to be in Hermann Park twice in the last three weeks. The first time, the statues weren't there, the second time they had magically appeared.

It's odd, since I didn't realize that they were Chinese Zodiac figures, I assumed there was some hidden theme, and the only thing I could think of was the fact that 11 of the figures represent real animals that I could identify, the twelfth one is imaginary. It's sort of odd that the Chinese have one imaginary animal in their Zodiac, and furthermore, that imaginary animal seems to play an important role in Chinese mythology.

My understanding is that the dragon myth origin relates to one of two real creatures: dinosaur bones which were unearthed in ancient China or crocodiles which lived in the waters of major rivers. Note that Chinese ('Asian' or 'Eastern') dragons are wingless, so such mythical are not far from real creatures, living or long-gone.

I hadn't seen anything about this on HAIF, so I thought I'd post it...

Chinese artist/political critic Ai Weiwei's newest public art display has made its way to Hermann Park. The piece, titled Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, depicts the heads of the twelve Chinese Zodiac animals mounted on matching poles. Each is about 10 feet tall. The piece is on a tour of the US and is currently installed at Lake Plaza until June 3.

Here's an image from the Chronicle's article on the installation (link is below):

To be honest, when I first saw it in person, I didn't know what they were and they looked 'demonic' to me. I recognized them as Chinese Zodiac symbols, but I didn't care much for them. That being said, no piece of art appeals to everyone, and getting a Weiwei installation is a bit of a coup for Houston (especially for such an extended period of time). I think this is just one more reflection of Houston's growing importance on the international stage, which I see as a good thing.

Here's a recent article from the Chronicle on the subject: http://www.chron.com/life/article/New-sculptures-create-sense-of-place-3375029.php

And, the press release from the Houston Arts Alliance: http://www.houstonartsalliance.com/site/print/contemporary-arts-coup/

They average over 17,000 a game?! That's more than the Rockets have averaged this year, smh.

Well, let's remember that no sport in the world is more popular - in terms of both players and fans - than soccer/football. Houston is home to a large number of latin americans, too. I'm sure they make up a large portion of the regular attendees.

This is a good-sized stadium. Capacity of 22,000 puts it at #4 in a ranking of soccer-specific stadiums in the MLS - with only LA, NYC and Toronto having larger capacities.

And, in my opinion, it's the best-looking of the lot.

If the Greyhound really is the problem, it doesn't seem as though this property owner/operator is to blame. All I know is that most times I've walked or driven by this property, the police seem to be around interrogating someone.

Article on CultureMap today regarding the renewal of the space. Not much information here, but it does seem as though they understand the gravity of the decision...

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/02-16-12-18-25-saying-goodbye-to-the-byzantine-frescoes-menil-examines-how-to-use-the-chapel-left-behind/

The Chronicle reports that the UH Board of Regents has deferred approval of the stadium site until its March meeting, to allow additional study of an alternate site - the current intramural fields.

http://blog.chron.co...w-stadium-site/

The apparent advantage of the intramural fields site is that construction there would allow continued use of Robertson until the new stadium is completed. The alternate site would also allow for greater visibility of the stadium from I-45. However, this comes with additional financial costs - of approximately +$45 million (excluding costs of acquiring additional land for parking sites, etc).

Here's an article posted by the folks over at Swamplot today - http://swamplot.com/...vie/2012-02-10/ - regarding the area-wide interconnected bayou plan being proposed.

It includes this video...

By clicking on the 'vimeo' link at the bottom-right of the media player above, it'll take you to the Vimeo site itself with that video. In the suggested links, there are other videos for other cities in the country (e.g., Atlanta, Cleveland).

To me it looks like nothing so much as a self-storage unit one would see alongside a freeway.

Subdude, you clearly don't understand the incredible importance of the aluminum-siding school of architectural thought.

This is a big loss for Houston. It wasn't just the frescoes, but the building itself is a perfect showcase. That is the best example of religious architecture in Houston.

Indeed. I'm pretty areligious, and that building moves me. It's also really cool to see how others (more accurately) depict Jesus.

I still have hope that the building itself will be preserved and used for a similar purpose. I'd really like to see a museum in Houston dedicated to religious (not just Christian) art works, for example, and I think this could be a great space for such a thing.

Bump.

Just wanted to give everyone a chance to know that the Byzantine frescoes will be leaving Houston. Last day to see them will be March 4. Several events are being planned prior to their leaving:

• February 12, 5;30pm: Performance by the St. Paul's Methodist Choir
  
• February 19, 7:00pm: Discussion moderated by Menil director Josef Helfenstein, titled Constructions of Art & Faith: The Byzantine Fresco Chapel and the Menil Collection
  
• March 3 (I don't know the time): Liturgy provided by Archbishop Demetrios of America
  

I urge everyone who has not seen this beautiful space in Houston to go within the next month. These are the largest intact Byzantine frescoes in the Western hemisphere, and they won't be around much longer...