NRG Park Mixed-Use Development

[Big E]

On 10/28/2024 at 10:31 AM, samagon said:

can they build the stadium on the freeway caps we'll have in 20 years?

Doubt there would be enough room at its widest point for that cap to hold that stadium. It would disrupt the street network.

[samagon]

another maybe plan for the Dome.

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/astrodome-development-plan-19912657.php

[freundb]

https://astrodomeconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/VisionAstrodome-deck-for-11.13.24.pdf

Some screen shots from the PDF:

[hbg.50]

On 10/11/2024 at 11:30 PM, hbg.50 said:

Prior to the meeting, Houston Mayor John Whitmire held a news conference calling for new leadership at the Sports Authority. The mayor also talked about how sporting venues in the city need improvements and the agency's lack of communication.

"The owner of the Dynamo was in my office yesterday and said we need help. The Sports Authority is not collaborating with us. The World Cup teams want to use our stadium as a practice facility. We can't get the communication going with sports authority in the right direction. I want to thank the sports authority administrators for their public service, but we come together to say we can do better. We must do better," Whitmire said.

Houston will be host to several World Cup matches in 2026 and Whitmire went on to say the city must be ready.

"We come together today to say we can do better. We must do better. We have to get ready. All hands-on deck for the World Cup. In the meantime, we'll address the concerns of these individual franchises, not to mention the rodeo. Rodeo has been talking to me for months," Whitmire said.

Janice Burke replaced by Ryan Walsh... that was pretty quick!

Ryan Walsh was hired Friday as the CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/walsh-ceo-sports-authority-harris-county-19916146.php

Ahead of the vote, board member and County Attorney Christian Menefee said Walsh was methodical, detailed and thoughtful — all qualities he believed would make him a great CEO for the authority.

Newly selected board chair Juan Garcia said the authority was “extremely lucky” to bring Walsh on board, and that its stakeholders — including those at Minute Maid, Toyota Center and NRG — all trusted and had confidence in Walsh.

“He has great relationships here in our city and our county, and so the opportunity to make this hire at this time, I am extremely excited about,” Garcia said.

While Garcia did not elaborate on the position’s application pool, he told reporters after the vote there were “no close seconds” among those interested and that Walsh quickly rose to the top.

Edited November 16, 2024 by hbg.50

[geoffbaskir]

All of this has the quality of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. The HC-HSA seems keen to knock down the Astrodome, which would cause irrevocable harm to the image of Houston. And what they would put up in its place would be bland, less iconic - but it would certainly earn a certain amount of revenue. The problem is no one seems to have any idea what to do with the space they currently have - and have had since the ball teams left. At least the Conservancy is trying to do something.

[hbg.50]

The Chronicle Editorial Board supports renovating the Astrodome.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/astrodome-reuse-plan-19916118.php

I think the Astrodome Conservancy releasing a proposal for the Astrodome was a brilliant move.  It demonstrates how the Astrodome can be incorporated into an updated NRG Park and even replace the NRG Arena.  Any proposals coming from the HLSR or the Texans to demolish the Astrodome will be met with blowback.  There is realistically nowhere in Houston for the rodeo or Texans to move to.  I would call their bluffs.

[Big E]

On 11/16/2024 at 10:52 PM, geoffbaskir said:

which would cause irrevocable harm to the image of Houston.

Not really. Nobody outside of Houston would care.

 

21 hours ago, hbg.50 said:

There is realistically nowhere in Houston for the rodeo or Texans to move to.

The Texans can always threaten relocation. Nobody wants "The Houston Oilers 2: Electric Boogaloo".

[htownproud]

For the love of god, tear down that eyesore.  It is a stain (both figuratively and literally) on the NRG complex.  

[samagon]

2 hours ago, Big E said:

The Texans can always threaten relocation. Nobody wants "The Houston Oilers 2: Electric Boogaloo".

just as no one outside of Houston really would be moved by the loss of the 'Dome, no one outside of Houston Texans fans would be moved by the threat of the Texans going somewhere else, especially if the Dome is what they would be using as a threat to leave.

not only is Houston today is not Houston 1997....

1994 HGAC population was just under 4 million people. (since Adams announced the Oilers move in '95, he would have been negotiating in '94).

2024 HGAC population is nearly 7.5 million people. that's close to double Houston 1994, and easily the 5th largest metro area in the USA behind NY, LA, Chicago and DFW.

and could you imagine the press release?

"The Houston Texans are relocating to a different city because they couldn't turn the Astrodome into a parking lot" or something like that, how many Houstonians would want them to stay exactly?

no, the Texans would not be wise to even threaten to leave the city based on what happens with the Dome.

and then there's the NFL, I think they'd have something to say about the 5th largest population center in the USA losing a NFL team because the owners want to see some other thing done with the 'Dome than what is being proposed.

absolutely, there are a number of people who would be completely uncaring about the 'Dome, but there'd be enough people in the region that would be alienated that it would be a bad idea.

nope, the Texans won't even threaten to leave based on the status of the 'Dome.

never. going. to. happen.

I'll just leave this data here for anyone that's interested. 

https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/visualizations/2021/comm/top50-metro-areas.pdf

Edited November 18, 2024 by samagon

[j_cuevas713]

1 hour ago, htownproud said:

For the love of god, tear down that eyesore.  It is a stain (both figuratively and literally) on the NRG complex.  

No it isn't. And it's a State Antiquities Landmark. It's not going anywhere.

[samagon]

17 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

No it isn't. And it's a State Antiquities Landmark. It's not going anywhere.

on the national register of historic places too.

[hbg.50]

Ryan Walsh’s last act as CEO of the HCSCC..-

Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. approves study to determine Astrodome's future

“A study has been approved to explore future possibilities for the Astrodome.

The Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. approved the study during its board of directors meeting on Nov. 20 — the last for outgoing CEO and Executive Director Ryan Walsh, who now joins the Harris County Houston Sports Authority. HCSCC is working with Houston-based architecture firm Kirksey Architecture to provide options for the future of the Astrodome and a comprehensive cost analysis, the organization wrote in a Nov. 21 press release.

The study comes just a week after the Astrodome Conservancy, the nonprofit organization championing the landmark, released its $1 billion vision for the potential redevelopment of the now-vacant structure. The vision — which would create hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail space, a new arena and four buildings within the Astrodome — received pushback from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.”

 

This will cost $350K and what it reveals is that the HCSCC was not considering the Astrodome in its previously commissioned 6 studies of NRG Park.  It’s been forced into action by the Astrodome Conservancy.

[monarch]

^^^ hurry... hurry... STEP RIGHT UP, and let the SIDE SHOW begin...

[Urbannizer]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:53 PM, htownproud said:

For the love of god, tear down that eyesore.  It is a stain (both figuratively and literally) on the NRG complex.  

I’m with you here. Yet another study that will likely not materialize. Best idea was movie studio. Tear it down already and sell the land to developers to recover the cost. It has served its purpose. 53% turned down the last conversion idea and I think the number will be larger this time around. I don't understand the nostalgia over keeping something that will cost more in the long run to maintain. National Historic Registry doesn’t mean it can’t be torn down.

[004n063]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:53 PM, htownproud said:

For the love of god, tear down that eyesore.  It is a stain (both figuratively and literally) on the NRG complex.  

I'm not sentimental about the Astrodome, but the biggest stain on the complex - by far - is the sea of surface parking. 

[Big E]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:57 PM, samagon said:

"The Houston Texans are relocating to a different city because they couldn't turn the Astrodome into a parking lot" or something like that, how many Houstonians would want them to stay exactly?

Its not them refusing to tear down the dome that would convince them to leave, its putting in other uses that would disrupt their game day operations.

 

On 11/18/2024 at 12:57 PM, samagon said:

no, the Texans would not be wise to even threaten to leave the city based on what happens with the Dome.

NFL teams have moved for far less.

 

On 11/18/2024 at 12:57 PM, samagon said:

and then there's the NFL, I think they'd have something to say about the 5th largest population center in the USA losing a NFL team because the owners want to see some other thing done with the 'Dome than what is being proposed.

Los Angeles has lost an NFL team THREE TIMES. Houston has already lost one once. Both St. Louis and San Diego have lost teams recently. I'm sure Jerry Jones would be ecstatic to see the team move, so he wouldn't block it. He'd probably encourage it.

 

On 11/18/2024 at 2:17 PM, j_cuevas713 said:

No it isn't. And it's a State Antiquities Landmark. It's not going anywhere.

It being a State Antiquities Landmark (or being on the national register of historic places, for that matter), does not prevent it from being torn down. Its just another hoop to jump through.

[samagon]

On 11/23/2024 at 4:30 PM, Urbannizer said:

I’m with you here. Yet another study that will likely not materialize. Best idea was movie studio. Tear it down already and sell the land to developers to recover the cost. It has served its purpose. 53% turned down the last conversion idea and I think the number will be larger this time around. I don't understand the nostalgia over keeping something that will cost more in the long run to maintain. National Historic Registry doesn’t mean it can’t be torn down.

I think I read that thanks to private investment, and nationally available funds, the proposed renovation would cost less than knocking it down and replacing it.

but hey, I like to waste money just to destroy things that a football team doesn't want.

[samagon]

7 hours ago, Big E said:

Los Angeles has lost an NFL team THREE TIMES. Houston has already lost one once. Both St. Louis and San Diego have lost teams recently. I'm sure Jerry Jones would be ecstatic to see the team move, so he wouldn't block it. He'd probably encourage it.

interestingly, the Oilers, and Rams left their markets in the early 90s because of luxury suites. the Raiders left because they played in the Coliseum, which was damaged in an earthquake, and voters chose not to repair.

none of those situations remotely equate to the current situation with the Dome. furthermore, since the issue isn't the money coming in from suites, the owner would have to consider merchandise sales going straight into the toilet when they take their team away from a market with 7 million potential fans. all because they wanted more parking spaces?

[Big E]

5 hours ago, samagon said:

none of those situations remotely equate to the current situation with the Dome.

Every situation is different. You've had teams threaten to move just to get stadium upgrades, not even brand new stadiums.

 

5 hours ago, samagon said:

furthermore, since the issue isn't the money coming in from suites, the owner would have to consider merchandise sales going straight into the toilet when they take their team away from a market with 7 million potential fans. all because they wanted more parking spaces?

As I said, teams have moved from large cities and forgone money before. Its not like there aren't other potential cities to move to, that also have millions of potential fans and revenue.

[hbg.50]

8 minutes ago, Big E said:

Every situation is different. You've had teams threaten to move just to get stadium upgrades, not even brand new stadiums.

 

As I said, teams have moved from large cities and forgone money before. Its not like there aren't other potential cities to move to, that also have millions of potential fans and revenue.

The McNairs have invested a lot in the Texans.  I don’t think they will make a big fuss.  It’s the Rodeo making noise right now, crying about all they’ve done for the community.

[HoustonIsHome]

On 11/23/2024 at 4:30 PM, Urbannizer said:

I’m with you here. Yet another study that will likely not materialize. Best idea was movie studio. Tear it down already and sell the land to developers to recover the cost. It has served its purpose. 53% turned down the last conversion idea and I think the number will be larger this time around. I don't understand the nostalgia over keeping something that will cost more in the long run to maintain. National Historic Registry doesn’t mean it can’t be torn down.

I don't think it's that simple. This isn't simply a Texans thing. Nothing can be done without all parties being in agreement.

The Rodeo is usually the biggest road block. They need assurance that whatever plan goes forward doesn't affect their activities.

So it's not just a Texans thing, it's the rodeo, the City and NRG coming together to agree on the plan 

[mollusk]

The Rodeo is usually the biggest road block. They need assurance that whatever plan goes forward doesn't affect their activities own self generated plan for what goes where.

FIFY.

[monarch]

1 hour ago, HoustonIsHome said:

I don't think it's that simple. This isn't simply a Texans thing. Nothing can be done without all parties being in agreement.

The Rodeo is usually the biggest road block. They need assurance that whatever plan goes forward doesn't affect their activities.

So it's not just a Texans thing, it's the rodeo, the City and NRG coming together to agree on the plan 

^^^ this HUGE circus... circus... mess has been going on for decades and decades.  therefore, everyone is aware of EVERY intangible/extracurricular regarding this NRG PARK circus saga.  WE'VE ALL HAD ENOUGH, and WE ARE SICK and TIRED of this...

[hbg.50]

7 hours ago, monarch said:

^^^ this HUGE circus... circus... mess has been going on for decades and decades.  therefore, everyone is aware of EVERY intangible/extracurricular regarding this NRG PARK circus saga.  WE'VE ALL HAD ENOUGH, and WE ARE SICK and TIRED of this...

If we could only get Mayor Whitmire on the Astrodome bandwagon…. He might just order an investigation of the HLSR! 😂

[hindesky]

Multiple design studies show conceptual visions for the future of the more-than-two-decade-old stadium, focusing on premium products and vertical transportation.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/12/30/nrg-stadium-design-studies-renovations-upgrades.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_27&cx_artPos=8#cxrecs_s

[texan]

27 minutes ago, hindesky said:

Multiple design studies show conceptual visions for the future of the more-than-two-decade-old stadium, focusing on premium products and vertical transportation.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/12/30/nrg-stadium-design-studies-renovations-upgrades.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_27&cx_artPos=8#cxrecs_s

Additional photos posted below. The Populous and HKS designs are quite a radical departure from the current design of NRG. Will be interesting to see what is decided for the future of the stadium and park!

Populous design:

HKS Design:

Manica design:

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Non-hotlinked and full-sized conceptual renderings from the Houston Business Journal article are below.

As noted in the Houston Business Journal article, the conceptual illustrations " add new suites, loge boxes, exclusive clubs, enhanced technology, exterior upgrades and more" to address "deficiencies at NRG Stadium." 



Populous' NRG Stadium design includes an indoor/outdoor covered space with LED lights

Populous' design study includes the largest video board in the world.




The design idea includes a new east mezzanine club.





The concept would add a northwest tunnel club overviewing the staging area.






Upper Suite Level - Speakeasy

The proposal would add a speakeasy bar to the upper suite level NRG Stadium. 





A conceptual image of the new chairman's club.





The design concept includes a press level club.


 

Edited December 30, 2024 by IntheKnowHouston

[kennyc05]

I like it I'm hoping Toyota Center can get an exterior upgrade one day.

Edited December 31, 2024 by kennyc05

[houstontexasjack]

Looks like HKS and Manica both envision keeping the Astrodome. I do not see it in Populous’ renderings. Given Populous’ design for an elevated plaza with extended ramps, I suspect they would want the Astrodome demolished to help make room. 

[monarch]

^^^ for those that just cannot seem to get it... FANTASY!

https://youtu.be/r58GQYFZeLE