NRG Park Mixed-Use Development

[bruce_oneal]

I personally like the idea of a Houston-oriented museum.  Houston has a very interesting history, full of a lot of significant events both to the city as well as to the country.  There could be displays comparing the "bigness" of Houston (landwise) to other cities, and maybe even a scaled, walk-through model of the city.  There could maybe even be a "Houston in transition" type exhibit, with like-like cityscapes of old Houston.  There could be an "experience" type exhibit of driving on the Gulf freeway in the 1940s, since it was the first of many that have shaped Houston today.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

kinda like a houston world's fair? and by the way, what ever happened to those events? did they just kinda fade away?

[Lowbrow]

Ok, idea #2: Freefall zone. Install a huge fan and give eveyone a freefall suit and cut em loose. Weeeee.

[bruce_oneal]

Ok, idea #2: Freefall zone. Install a huge fan and give eveyone a freefall suit and cut em loose. Weeeee.

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remember in some of the earlier rodeos, there was always some stunt man falling from the top of the dome. those were fund times.

[Subdude]

but the problem was they (i don't know who) wouldn't allow any parking during home texans games, or the rodeo, which took alot away from anything you could do with the dome

I suspect you're right about that.

You know how Moody Gardens and other places have built indoor tropical rain forest environments? I would like to see the Dome converted to an indoor Alpine meadow environment. That way, in the middle of August when you get sick of the heat and humidity, you could go visit an artificial cool, pleasant, mountain scene.

[bruce_oneal]

I suspect you're right about that. 

You know how Moody Gardens and other places have built indoor tropical rain forest environments?  I would like to see the Dome converted to an indoor Alpine meadow environment.  That way, in the middle of August when you get sick of the heat and humidity, you could go visit an artificial cool, pleasant, mountain scene.

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an alpine meadow... now there's an idea.

[Lowbrow]

an alpine meadow... now there's an idea.

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comes with free lederhosen and sound of music soundtrack... ricolla!!

[Subdude]

comes with free lederhosen and sound of music soundtrack... ricolla!!

There you go! In the winter they could bring in a snow-making machine, and have sledding and a big ice rink.

[kjb434]

The world's fair became a losing proposition by the mid 80's. The concept was really cool and was very much needed in a world where many of the economies ran on themselves. Each exhibit displayed the marvels and history of all the countries involved.

In todays world, the economies of the world have started to and are becoming fully blended with each other. Technology and products in our everyday lives coming from various countries diminshed the concept of the fair. And with the World Showcase exhibit at EPCOT in Disney World Florida, the backers for each world fair exhibits now put their money towards the world showcase. Every country or region is sponsered by that country or regions tourist and world relations bureau. What ever they may call themselves.

Back to the Dome:

I do admit the dome has a LOT of history, but what is most important is the memories we have of the dome. The facility is aging quickly and with the lack of use the managing authories are not keeping it up. The issue of tearing down a landmark building such as this is not new. The Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans is in a threat to be torn down too. The facility their is built upon the same principle as the Astrodome. They were both built as multi-use facilities, but a problem in the end was that the facilities were too big for many uses. Now you are seen many cities building several different venues to handle the primary user and then the facilities are rented to others who pay for it. Now we have MinuteMaid, Toyota Center, and Reliant. In New Orleans, the Hornets and the local hocky and arena football teams use a new facility next door to the Superdome. The Saints are threatening to leave unless they get a new Stadium to compete with other franchises.

Being from Louisiana, the Superdome has many memories like the Astrodome must have for local Houstonians. Superdome still hold the worlds record for worlds largest expanse of unsupported roof structure. Over 600ft diameter of unsupported concrete and streel beam roof. And actually, the roof keeps the walls from falling down. The Astrodome has the feat of being the first multi-use dome facility in the world and the largest at the time.

If someone was willing to keep the facility up and make use of it, I'm all for it. It must be a private business venture that accomplishes this and not local authorities. Trust me, if money can be made re-using the dome, then it will. Money may rule the fate of this facility.

If no-one wants to renovate the dome, don't see it lasting long. The management agency will not want to keep this building just for posterity.

[HeightsGuy]

I keep going back and forth on the issue of what to do with the space. I am a preservationist at heart, but I do realize there are significant issues to preserving the 'Dome. I love the 'Dome the way it is, I loved it before and after they added the people movers, and I am still mad about the whole scoreboard thing (which, contrary to popular opinion, was not entirely Bud Adam's doing).

Any idea for re-purposing the structure may significantly change it. Be it a hotel, museum, whatever; whoever takes it over would probably paint the thing bright orange or something else to ruin the outward appearance. I understand the need to renovate the interior space, but please leave the outside as little changed as possible.

To accomodate that, I think the only thing that makes sense is for the city to keep it and turn it into a parking garage. That way, it still "looks" like the 'Dome. Think about the structure across from Foley's downtown. Right now it's a garage, but from a distance you would never know. And for most people, the 'Dome is known by it's outward appearance, like a statue, not for the colorful seats and plastic grass.

[kjb434]

Great idea HeightsGuy. Parking is a much needed feature at the Reliant Stadium. It would be cool to have a parking garage in there. I'm just wondering who will put up money to do this. They'll have to charge for parking to pay for it. Probably $8 or $10 for large events.

[Guest danax]

Great idea HeightsGuy.  Parking is a much needed feature at the Reliant Stadium.  It would be cool to have a parking garage in there.  I'm just wondering who will put up money to do this.  They'll have to charge for parking to pay for it.  Probably $8 or $10 for large events.

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A not-very-practical idea would be to convert it into a Metro Transit Center. It could be done in a sports theme with the train boarding at, say, home plate.

How many cities have something like that?

[bruce_oneal]

A not-very-practical idea would be to convert it into a Metro Transit Center. It could be done in a sports theme with the train boarding at, say, home plate.

How many cities have something like that?

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wow! that would be great. kinda like grand central station in a sports theme? i like that idea too. it could serve as the transit hub for the city (instead of downtown).

abundant parking, covered (dome) terminal, access to/from 610, 288 ... nice!

[skwatra]

from a chronicle article about gambling in texas:

"a Houston lawmaker proposed turning the Astrodome into the world's largest luxury casino."

that would be something

[bruce_oneal]

from a chronicle article about gambling in texas:

"a Houston lawmaker proposed turning the Astrodome into the world's largest luxury casino."

that would be something

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man ... not sure i like that idea. once legalized gambling gets ahold of a city, it is hellish.

[Guest danax]

man ... not sure i like that idea.  once legalized gambling gets ahold of a city, it is hellish.

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I totally agree. We already have the reputation as being somewhat wild and sleazy. Another noxious possibility would be someone like turning it into the world's largest strip club.

[bruce_oneal]

I totally agree. We already have the reputation as being somewhat wild and sleazy. Another noxious possibility would be someone like turning it into the world's largest strip club.

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..and combine that with all the sleazy strip malls with their tacky fronts and signs... just too much.

[Hunter]

I totally agree. We already have the reputation as being somewhat wild and sleazy. Another noxious possibility would be someone like turning it into the world's largest strip club.

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Why stop there lets make it the worlds largest indoor nudist colony and apartment complex! You could have privacy and a constant all round controlled weather. A huge swimming pool in the center with lots of indoor plants and stuff. Ah the possibilities.

Now in reality we could turn the place into a new branch of the medical district for children and people with an allergic disorder to the sun. I saw a show about that last weekend. They could have a huge indoor area to go play or work in and they would not have to be exposed to the sun. We could even set up smaller microclimates for other people with different disorders.

No it would not be like a leper colony.

[Trophy Property]

I can see it happening and I really do not think it woudl take much to do. But I do recommend that they find a way to keep noise levels down thought. They could use a sound damping equipment.

I guess you are not aware of landscaping costs. The plan as you see it looks like a tremendous amount of work, money, and time. Blow the sucker up and build more parking. Sorry for the negativety.

[Subdude]

Now in reality we could turn the place into a new branch of the medical district for children and people with an allergic disorder to the sun.

There are people who are allergic to the sun? How extraordinary. Are you sure they weren't just vampires?

[Hunter]

I guess you are not aware of landscaping costs.

[goldenstick]

If the dome is not going to be used for anything then I say tear it down and make room for a Soccer Specific Stadium. Bring in a MLS franchise and build a 22,000 to 25,000 seat soccer stadium. Maybe they could do something to remember the Astrodome by building a monument or incorporating some of it's aspects in the new stadium. This would put Houston on the map globally and maybe get to host some World Cup Qualifiers or International Matches. No doubt that a SSS would bring more excitement to the city and offer more entertainment and diversity than the dome is offering now!

[bruce_oneal]

If the dome is not going to be used for anything then I say tear it down and make room for a Soccer Specific Stadium.  Bring in a MLS franchise and build a 22,000 to 25,000 seat soccer stadium.  Maybe they could do something to remember the Astrodome by building a monument or incorporating some of it's aspects in the new stadium.  This would put Houston on the map globally and maybe get to host some World Cup Qualifiers or International Matches.  No doubt that a SSS would bring more excitement to the city and offer more entertainment and diversity than the dome is offering now!

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yeah, and with houston's diverse population, soccer seems like it would be a major draw. that is a cool idea.

[tw2ntyse7en]

...

[bruce_oneal]

How would retro-fitting the dome with hotel boxes around the top, and availability for other sporting venues besides MLS be a better option than tearing it down to build an outdoor stadium?

Heres what we need to do:

1.  Replace all the white painted skylights with new clear panes (like the original).

2.  Replace the astro-turf with natural sod (if you all remember, sod used to work until they painted all the glass panes white so that the baseball players could see the ball when popped-up).

3.  Take the top level, all the way around, and rip out the seats. In their place make hotel-rooms with one way glass.

4.  Excavate around the dome & the colliseum and build parking garages that start a few levels below ground and only stand a few above ground (so that you don't lose the view of the dome from the street).

5.  Contract a MLS team.

6.  Contract high school and maybe even college sports (i.g. football playoffs, baseball playoffs, all-city championship games, etc.).

7.  Continue to use for the Rodeo. (e.g. you can have 50cent or Beyonce playing in one while you have Alan Jackson or Tim Mcgraw playing in the other - trust me, you won't have enough people mad that they can't watch both at the same time to be a real issue.)

8.  Build a museum on the ground level. Hell, build 3: 1 for the oilers, 1 for the astros, and 1 for the dome & houston itself.

9.  Throw a little retail in there like how the Superdome has done. Call it the "Shops at the Dome".

10. You could even build sky-bridge between the too (covered or not) and add a little mono-rail action to connect from the light-rail, extended parking, astroworld, the dome, & the stadium

We don't have to tear it down. We just need to get a plan and stick with it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

all of these great ideas. i wonder if anyone from the company (government entity) that manages the dome is on this list?

[houstonsemipro]

March 26, 2005, 10:55PM

McNair's Super bid a finalist

Houston, Atlanta are front-runners in derby to host '09 championship

By JOHN MCCLAIN

Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

RESOURCES

MULTI-MEDIA

AUDIO:

Justice & McClain:

[houstonsemipro]

You know what people. I may sound like a turncoat to some people, but I think Atlanta might get this one. All because of the impovements of the Georgia Dome, and the money the owner is putting up. The NFL don't want the Georgia Dome to go to waste, and Atlanta also host the Super Bowl back in 2000.

Furthermore, what might hurt Houston is Dallas building a new stadium that might host the Super Bowl in 2011. Think about it. Super Bowls back to back in Texas, Houston 2009 and Dallas 2011, ummmm I kinda doubt it.

I hate to say it, but Atlanta might pull this one off.

[CincoRanch-HoustonResident]

I don't think so. Houston still might get it. People could visit Schlitterbahn in Galveston (if it is open), and have a great time there. THere are more things that will be available to do, if and when it comes in 2009.

[tomv]

People could visit Schlitterbahn in Galveston (if it is open), and have a great time there.

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They better be open by 2009. Anybody have an update?

[J.A.S.O.N.]

LOL, yeah they are moving dirt, but I hardly think that a waterpark 50 miles away will sway the voters, esp in Feb. I'll try and post some pics in the Galveston subforum.

Does Houston have any big plans to put on the table for 2009? More downtown retail would be sweet!

[Trophy Property]

LOL, yeah they are moving dirt, but I hardly think that a waterpark 50 miles away will sway the voters, esp in Feb.  I'll try and post some pics in the Galveston subforum.

Does Houston have any big plans to put on the table for 2009?  More downtown retail would be sweet!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think Houston got a great reception from the 2004 SuperBowl. The city really showed well. I think if there was a guarantee of another Super Bowl here in 4 more years there would be even more downtown development than already in the works. I am not naive enough to think that people develop new retail and residential for one weekend of activity, but having Downtown be such a focal point of the 2004 experience will only help if Houston gets another game in 2009. I for one thought it was awesome to have all that attention on Houston.

My fear is that the NFL is using the game as a pawn for NFL cities to step up and make the facilities nicer. Atlanta is saying if the NFL chooses the Georgia Dome, they will make $150 worth of changes to the stadium. That seems to be the new criteria for getting a game. Build a new stadium (or at least perform a major renovation) and the game will come to your hometown. I know that is how Houston got the 2004 game everyone knows that is the only reason Detroit is getting the 2006 game. Dallas is going to make the rotation with their new stadium and as 27 mentioned above, Phoenix is building a new stadium too.