Revitalize Houston with a new stadium
All that is left is for voters to approve it as well as some action by the Texas Legislature.
Many people believe that money should go to other causes such as schools or transportation.
Personally, I am not sure, but for the purpose of this article I am assuming that in a few years the Astros will be playing downtown.
Before I go any further, let me summarize what has happened so far.
A few years ago the owner of the Houston Oilers, Bud Adams, asked the city for a new stadium. Since the Oilers really stunk that year, and no one liked Bud, it wasn't given a second thought. The Oilers are now on their way to Tennessee.
Both the Astros and the Rockets have also been clamoring for new places to play. Since they are both good (relative to the Oilers) and they are not able to be profitable in their existing arenas, the city took them seriously. The Summit and Astrodome were built in an era without luxury-box revenue and multi-million dollar player contracts.
The argument for a new arena does have some merit, as the Rockets almost always sell out the undersized Summit.
However, most people have a hard time understanding what is wrong with the Astrodome. There is nothing wrong with it except for the fact that it is not profitable for a baseball team to play there.
Lately, a few new factors have been thrown into the mix. City business leaders have begun to get involved trying to get a stadium/arena complex built downtown as part of a revitalization project. Also, Houston has applied for a National Hockey League expansion franchise. This would add another tenant for a new arena.
For good measure throw in Texas 2008, the group trying to bring the 2008 Olympics to Texas, and the mid-term plan to apply for an NFL expansion franchise to replace the Oilers.
The overall cost of the proposed retractable roof baseball-only stadium has risen to $265 million and is holding steady.
The cost will be split between the city and the Astros, with Houston-area businesses making a small contribution.
Well, now that the situation is clear -- or at least a little less confusing -- there are some questions that come up.
Will the stadium revitalize downtown?
You always hear the same argument. Look at Baltimore and Cleveland. New ballparks revitalized downtown areas. Houston's downtown is already making a recovery, and a new sports facilities would speed up the process.
I have a problem with this argument. Looking at Baltimore and Cleveland in more detail reveals some important differences.
Baltimore's Camden Yards is but a part of the revitalization of their downtown.
Within easy walking distance from the ballpark are a museum, an aquarium, shopping and restaurants. All of these border a beautiful harbor. You can spend an entire day in the area.
Cleveland's new ballpark, Jacobs Field, is also surrounded by other attractions. They have the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, a brand-new arena next door, mass transit and a plethora of hotels and shopping malls.
Getting to the point, the stadium is just part of the attraction that has revitalized the downtown area. Houston's proposed downtown sites don't have any of these.
The theater district is close, but the museums are a few miles to the south.
Downtown shopping is few and far between and almost nonexistent on the weekends.
The lack of hotel space has been an issue ever since the George R. Brown Convention Center was built.
Mass transit? Not in Houston. Parking is sure to be a major issue.
Before construction begins on the new stadium, a comprehensive revitalization plan for the downtown area must be developed. It should include development similar to San Antonio's Riverwalk along the Bayou near the theater district.
Efforts must continue to bring residents to the area. Re-development of the Rice Hotel and Herman Lofts are a step in the right direction.
Plans for mass transit must be included. Although Houstonians will never approve any sort of rail system, the entire city would benefit if one were implemented.
Imagine if rail lines were built lining all of the cities major roads and highways.
Going downtown wouldn't be so difficult. Who would want to brave the highways during rush hour to make a weekday game downtown? If Houston had a rail system, the commute would be easy.
What to do with the Astrodome?
What was once the Eighth Wonder of the World is about to become a redneck's heaven.
Rodeo and tractor pulls will be the main attraction. The University of Houston is moving its football games out of there, and the Oilers will soon be in Tennessee.
Many options have been mentioned. Raze the place and let Astroworld expand across 610. Renovate it for an expansion NFL franchise.
However, renovation would cost almost as much as building a new stadium. By the way, the Astrodome had already been renovated in the early '90s for the Oilers.
I believe that making an investment (it really is an investment) would pay off for the city (and its residents) in the long run. Hopefully, it would attract companies that can diversify Houston's energy-dependent economy and prevent the ones already here from packing up and leaving town (like Tenneco recently did).
Houston has always taken pride in the fact that it has no zoning or urban planning. While this approach led to explosive growth in the late '70s and early '80s, the city is finally beginning to feel its negative effects.
The city needs to rethink its approach. Only a well-planned, all-encompassing approach to the new stadium and a downtown revitalization plan will work.
Without them, in 25 or 30 years we will be talking about the obsolescence of Houston's second great stadium and what to do about it.
This item appeared in the Sports section of the October 4, 1996 issue.
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