Shell Energy Stadium

[lockmat]

some info from bisnow.com

Under the interlocal agreement, funds from both the city and county will be dedicated to “ensure $1M annually for support of ‘homeless’ initiatives (for every $2 raised by the COH, $1 will be provided by Harris County),” and two new TIRZes were created. Tina tells us the mayor created the zones (one in northeast downtown stretching from Austin to 59 and a large one encompassing the Reliant park area, including the Astrodome and the old Six Flags land) at the request of Harris County but has stated the city won’t participate financially in them now. The land will be turned over to the Dynamo on October 1 for construction.

http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commercial_real_estate_news_story.php?p=7976

[ricco67]

some info from bisnow.com

http://www.bisnow.co...tory.php?p=7976

Lovin' the new rendering with the metro stop. Should make construction on that section fairly interesting.

[citizen4rmptown]

It would be cool to have a plaza that does more for the fans, than just look like a gathering space, along the lines of what the KC Wizards stadium will look like.

[ricco67]

They just voted and it passed.

Construction will start.

I'm taking the day off to celebrate.

[rsb320]

GOOOOOAAAAAL!!

[HtownWxBoy]

They just voted and it passed.

Construction will start.

I'm taking the day off to celebrate.

Woo hoo!! :-) Very exciting... building another stadium in the Downtown area... and for a team that actually wins championships!

[ricco67]

Yeah, I'm going to stop by the site and take plenty of pictures in the area and then head towards Lucky's for a drink...or 10.

[JJVilla]

Man, I am so pumped about the news!

A great step and the final seal of approval or the "agreement to agree" as they said at the meeting.

[citizen4rmptown]

The Chron Article

Harris County Commissioners Court approved the framework of a deal today to become a partner in a $95 million professional soccer stadium project east of downtown Houston.

Under the deal, approved by the Houston City Council last week, the city and county would contribute $10 million each toward infrastructure for a Dynamo stadium and $7.5 million each for purchase of the land. The Dynamo has committed to spending $60 million to construct a stadium.

As Dynamo fan Eric Nordstrom described it, “Fix the roads, we'll build the house.”

County Judge Ed Emmett emphasized that the Dynamo deal differs sharply from past stadium projects in which taxpayers picked up a much greater share of the tab.

“This is a team building its own stadium,” Emmett said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6956695.html

[ricco67]

Belive it or not, the only concern I have off hand is how the rail will be able to handle the traffic. With two lines merging at that station, i'm sure it might be adequate, but considering they mostly play on sundays, I'm concerned the 6 or 15 minute schedules might not hack it. Hell, they don't even adjust the schedules for rodeo!

[kylejack]

Sports socialism wins again. More money spent to benefit billionaires.

[gmac]

Sports socialism wins again. More money spent to benefit billionaires.

But, but, but...revitalization!

Oh, wait a minute, the other billionaire playhouses within a mile or two of this new boondoggle haven't done kylejacksquat to pump up that EaDo economy, have they? Really? How many stadiums does it take to REALLY get that area thriving?

Enjoy your welfare trough, Anschutz.

[Subdude]

It frightens me to see the term 'EaDo' falling into common usage. Anyway, it's amazing how long this has taken. This topic was started in November 2006! I'm keen to see the designs.

[Houston19514]

Belive it or not, the only concern I have off hand is how the rail will be able to handle the traffic. With two lines merging at that station, i'm sure it might be adequate, but considering they mostly play on sundays, I'm concerned the 6 or 15 minute schedules might not hack it. Hell, they don't even adjust the schedules for rodeo!

Belive it or not, the only concern I have off hand is how the rail will be able to handle the traffic. With two lines merging at that station, i'm sure it might be adequate, but considering they mostly play on sundays, I'm concerned the 6 or 15 minute schedules might not hack it. Hell, they don't even adjust the schedules for rodeo!

I'm pretty sure they do adjust schedules for the rodeo, at least after the concerts.

[ricco67]

I'm pretty sure they do adjust schedules for the rodeo, at least after the concerts.

I'd have to say no.

They generally keep their schedule and shut off at their normal time!

additionally, there were enough complaints about lack of service AFTER the U2 concert that it made the local news broadcast.

[skwatra]

but considering they mostly play on sundays

They actually mostly play on Saturday. For MLS, there is one Thursday game each week, one Sunday game, then the rest are Saturday games. We only have a couple Sunday games this year, and some Thursday games, as well as other tournament matches which fall on random weekday evenings.

I think it will be really interesting when they play the same day as the Astros. I'm really looking forward to a double header (day game and evening game), though I probably won't remember the second game!

When I looked last year, there were only a few games that overlapped with the Astros by chance. I'm sure they will be able to avoid that all year if they want to (for MLS games, not the other Tournaments).

[ricco67]

They actually mostly play on Saturday. For MLS, there is one Thursday game each week, one Sunday game, then the rest are Saturday games. We only have a couple Sunday games this year, and some Thursday games, as well as other tournament matches which fall on random weekday evenings.

I think it will be really interesting when they play the same day as the Astros. I'm really looking forward to a double header (day game and evening game), though I probably won't remember the second game!

When I looked last year, there were only a few games that overlapped with the Astros by chance. I'm sure they will be able to avoid that all year if they want to (for MLS games, not the other Tournaments).

My mistake, I'm looking forward to the option of seeing both teams on the same day as well, but I wouldn't hold my breath about coordinating the games not to overlap each other since they're totally independent organizations.

Look at the Rockets, There have been more than a few games that coincide with baseball, not to mention there have been times when Toyota Center, Reliant, and MMP park were all hosting something at the same time and that doesn't include the various venues around town.

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.

[Ducky]

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.

[samagon]

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

this is going to work out very well for pedicabs.

there is also a ton of surface street parking in the warehouse district that can be used by soccer fans. plus they can park in a garage on the west side of downtown and hop the rail for an additional $2.50 to get to the stadium. the same will be true for baseball fans.

[tigereye]

Dynamo Stadium is already generating development in EaDo

http://www.eadohouston.com/downloads/2010%20Design%20Plan%20for%20EaDo%20Promenade.pdf

[LTAWACS]

So what is this thing going to look like?

[LTAWACS]

Dynamo Stadium is already generating development in EaDo

http://www.eadohouston.com/downloads/2010%20Design%20Plan%20for%20EaDo%20Promenade.pdf

Will KISS schedule a surprise visit once they are let in to Houston? cool!

[tigereye]

So what is this thing going to look like?

Considering how much the design concept has evolved over the past few months to what we have now, I doubt the design changes too much from here. I think the most recent renderings are a good idea of what we will likely see at the site.

I'd say the renderings are likely unveiled during All-Star Week. It would be a no-brainer since it would focus more attention on the stadium and be good pub for both the city and the league.

EDIT: Oliver Luck did say in a recent Chronic article that Populous Architects would be attending a Dynamo Game sometime in May.

BTW - I WANT PALM TREES. Nuff Said.

Edited April 20, 2010 by tigereye

[skwatra]

Dynamo Choose Stadium Architect, Project Manager

[lockmat]

Dynamo Choose Stadium Architect, Project Manager

also, from the article...

Luck said the building of the stadium should begin in the fall.

Thanks for the info.

For future reference: http://www.iconvenue.com/ Probably one of the coolest American sports stadiums I've seen:

Edited May 5, 2010 by lockmat

[lockmat]

As of now, there are no blueprints for the project. Any drawings of the stadium are conceptual .

“The only work that has been done to date is to make sure the stadium property, the six city blocks, are adequate,” Luck said. “We didn't start serious architectural design work. This piece of property is adequate for a 20,000- to 21,000-seat stadium with suites.”

Nonetheless, the plan is for the new Dynamo stadium to have lower and upper bowls that seat around 21,000. Like Minute Maid Park, the playing field will be below grade, meaning it will be below ground level.

The playing field is expected to be 13 feet below grade, and the lower bowl will be cast in place concrete. The upper bowl will extend above grade.

Also, like nearby Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park, the major concourse will be at grade. As Astros fans do when they show up for a home game, Dynamo fans will enter the stadium through the main concourse on ground level.

The Dynamo plan to have a roof canopy on the east and west sidelines to protect fans against the sun and rain. Luck also hopes to study all of the stadiums that have been built for MLS teams, ranging from the Columbus Crew's stadium from the late 1990s to the new Philadelphia Union's stadium set to open soon.

“We can learn from all the other MLS stadiums that have opened up, starting with Columbus, (L.A.) Home Depot Center, Dicks Sporting Goods Park and see what's worked, what didn't work,” Luck said. “We have a chance to really look and take the best from those other stadiums and hopefully avoid any major mistakes.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6990286.html

[LTAWACS]

Those streets arent lined up in a N,E,S,W direction. It's more like NE, SE, SW, NW. So... the proposed canopies will be... crooked?

[ricco67]

as long as there is protection from the rain and sun, who cares?

[lockmat]

I think the canopys can be useful, but more than anything they're probably just there for asthetics, or else why wouldn't the north/south areas be covered too?

[WestUdweller]

Why do the Dynamo want to build such a small stadium compares to other MLS venues? Being in Houston, there should be plenty of demand to satisfy at least a 25,000 seat stadium. I don't get it. If they do build it to hold 20,000, they better make sure it will be expandable for future growth. Don't the Dynamo have pretty good attendance as well?