Ducky

Hey guys, I'm new here but figured I could share this link

http://dynamo2012.my...t_file=main.htm

Its a live construction cam for the dynamo stadium that I found on Bigsoccer. Pretty cool to watch as soon as we see some activity.

I'm not sure if that's cool or seriously creepy considering I live a few blocks from there.

This past weekend is a good example:

You had a Saturday night game, the Motocross at Reliant, and I saw something letting out at Toyota center (wasn't sure if it was a game or a concert), and a buddy of mine went to see something over at HOB, throw in a Soccer game and you're going to see a healthy traffic jam.

I'd like to see the Metro numbers when THAT happens and how they handle it.

Considering those open lots are parking areas and have been quite full for recent events, your scenario would be a parking nightmare.

From the Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6887259.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+houstonchronicle/metro+(chron.com+-+Houston+%26+Texas)&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

From what little I remember, the 5% tax on rental cars was put in place to build Minute Maid stadium. So I'm a little confused as to why a rental car agreement (Feb 22-26, 2010) still shows that 5% tax being charged for "stadium construction". It shows in both the notice section (see attached image) and it also shows in the cost breakdown as "TAX INCL 5% STADIUM TAX"

If they're still charging the stadium tax, what is the money being used for?

Does anyone know more about this?

i think we should kick the Aeros out of town.

I think the Aeros fans would be quite upset with that idea. And they're not in need of a stadium.

I really do hope that it does bring good things to EaDo. I'm just being selfish because I don't want to live right next door to a stadium...I don't care if it's soccer, baseball, or basketball. We'll probably just move to another neighborhood if it turns out to be a problem. I was just hoping the immediate area would go in a different direction. That area of EaDo already has a big enough problem with loitering, litter, traffic, crime, surface lots, late night/early morning noise, etc. I can't imagine anyone would want a stadium built right next door to their home out in Katy.

But my girlfriend and I are apparently the only ones here who don't want it. So like they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. And if everyone in the area is so passionate about getting it, then maybe I shouldn't fight it. Considering how excited some people are about it, I'm afraid if I speak up about it too much, they'll cut the brake lines on my car.

You are not the only one who does not want the stadium built in the EaDo location. The proximity to existing housing and lack of parking in the area will make it a nightmare. Ch. 11 mentioned investors ready to move in with restaurants and businesses. There's no reason they can't try to expand the Midtown concept to EaDo. Without the Stadium.

From August 30th:

http://www.chron.com...ro/6593131.html

"Another wrinkle in a long dispute

TIRZ financing method for Dome, jail and stadium adds new twist to city-county talks"

I suspect the image isn't of accurate proportion and that the stadium will appear to be noticeably taller than that in real life.

If they sink it into the ground they shouldn't need to go above 4 or 5 stories. Anything taller would be overkill. And those silly white tents they put on everything these days (airports, etc) are probably great during hurricanes.

I agree with what you're saying, but in all fairness, those demographics are obsolete.

And Ducky, there were historically plenty of ethnically Asian businesses in the east downtown warehouse district, but--as the description suggests--there was never really a huge Asian population.

I'm just talking about the immediate area around the proposed site. I can walk to a number of Asian grocery stores and restaurants. It's just what is right there. If you go a couple of miles from there, yes you'll find a broad demographic and some great Hispanic neighborhoods.

Maybe in the rest of the country, soccer isn't relevant - But Houston is part of the exception due to the high Latin American expat population.

Which is why the choice of old Chinatown and a predominantly Vietnamese area makes lots of sense.

They should just put it by TSU-- since TSU will be playing in the stadium too. I'd love to see several acres of land by TSU turned into a stadium and parking lots!

I'll second that one. They may have found land for a stadium but there was obviously no planning on the parking side for the proposed area!

"The area for the stadium will be pretty tight, because the six blocks run quite long but are narrow, but they've come up with a rough design that shows the area can adequately serve a stadium," says Luck, who points out that the proposed downtown rail line extension would stop at the north end of the venue."

That's great - the area itself is barely large enough for a stadium. You would think they would try and identify an area that didn't force them to squeeze and scrimp to make it work.

anybody have any other updates on this?

You'd think with as much feet dragging that has been going on this whole thing would just fall through.

gotta agree with niche here... unless your residence has no private garage, parking garage, or private lot, i don't see where you get off petitioning the city to limit street-side parking in a very urban neighborhood to residences only.

I've seen quite a few places throughout the city here that are permit parking only. It's just a way for residents to work with the city to manage parking issues. I wouldn't be surprised if they go in and put meters throughout the area cause they'll want their portion of the $$ too.

And there's really not enough room for visitor parking in a townhome complex alley and then still provide enough room for people to back out. That's just being considerate to the neighbors in the complex.

Good luck with the petition.

I don't support it, personally, however. You live in a redeveloping urban area--not Kingwood--and on-street parking is going to be crucial to luring businesses in that will help to fill in some of the nearby vacant lots and contribute to the urban fabric.

Those types of petitions have nothing to do with vacant lots or other streets, they're geared to a residence requesting the space in front of their house be residential parking only.

EDIT: You have every right to be a vigilant neighbor and to petition the City for improvements to help with the management of traffic and parking violations, however if you live close enough to the stadium, you might actually be able to rent out your driveway to some tailgaters for $20 per game. Consider yourself compensated.

I'm sorry, no one ever mentioned anything about compensation. I'm just talking about the expectation that if they do put the stadium in they keep in mind the surrounding properties. All the surrounding properties will probably petition the city for residential parking (by tag only) and make sure our street side parking is for homeowners and their visitors considering it is mostly complexes (town home and apartment).

Its amazing though, this drama has been going on for about 3 years now?

I'm not sure comparing the stadiums around Houston is going to accomplish anything.

I don't think the assumption that there will be adequate parking for the Dynamo is accurate. Do they think they the Astros parking is going to be adequate and fans are going to really enjoy walking under 59 for each game? Are they going to put in a parking garage? How are they going to manage the traffic when there are homes not even one block away from the proposed site? Are fans going to enjoy having their cars towed when they park in front of peoples' homes?

I have yet to hear anyone say they ever think driving to an Astros game is an easy or convenient trip.

It's not a lot of space for a stadium in the grand scheme of things. Where are the parks and space that would make it fun for all fans?

I'm not sure if there's any significance to it, but they've removed the TCEQ SWPP permit sign that was posted.

I would the think city of Houston is simply utilizing the space to it's advantage while it's still empty. The Astros have gotten by without these few lots for the past nine years. I don't think parking is an issue.

Looking forward to the pics

I think that's a good way to phrase it - but the people parking in the neighborhoods on the other side of 59 is growing and it's pretty often I'll see broken glass where someone's car was broken into.

Just an fyi - the proposed stadium areas where they have cleared out old warehouses is now overflow parking for the Astros. A number of the empty fields have been packed with cars the last few days. If they don't have enough parking for the baseball games, where are they going to put parking for soccer and football games?

I took a couple of pictures, I'll try and upload them tonight.

Now it will be interesting to see if they stick to some of the mentioned conditions and make community development a focus. They are going to have a serious challenge to plan out efficient and successful parking that doesn't encroach on the home owners immediately around the proposed site.

Here is a map of the entire East End line:

Metro East End corridor

Thanks, that was exactly what I was looking for.

In the stadium area, the Harrisburg and Southeast lines will run down Texas Avenue, with a station at Bastrop street, directly north of the stadium site.

Thanks.

Check out this article on Houston Press. It says "This just gives fans an idea what it might look like."

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/20...amo_stadium.php

Where could I find info on where they're exactly going to run the new light rail?

Tin foil. Lots of tin foil.