Voters will get to decide fate of Astrodome

[nunusguy]

A $217 million bond authorization that would pay to turn the iconic Astrodome into a convention and exhibit hall is officially headed to Harris County voters.

Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday ordered a November bond election for the renovation, and also approved $8 million for asbestos abatement, selective demolition and other work county staff says needs to be done on the vacant stadium whether it is revamped or torn down.

That includes allowing the county purchasing agent to inventory and sell Dome-related "sports memorabilia," including signs.

If the referendum passes and the county chooses to issue the entire bond amount, county budget staff have said it would increase the average property tax bill by $8 a year.

That's for a home valued at $200,000, minus a $40,000 homestead exemption.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-te...php?cmpid=hpbn
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I will be sprinting to the polls in November when they open to vote this sukker down ! More 1st rate politicians with a 4th rate business idea.

[HPF Bob]

As a longtime Houston sports fan who remembers the Dome when it truly was the Eighth Wonder of the World, I sincerely hope a way is found to breathe new life into the Astrodome so it can stay intact and a vibrant part of the community.

However, as someone who no longer lives in the Houston area, it's not my place to tell the voters how they should respond. It won't be my tax money they will be spending. I am glad, though, that the voters will finally get a say in the fate of the historic icon. It has waited way too long.

[Nconroe]

I sure have a lot of good memories of Astrodome starting with seeing Astros play there in 1965.

So, I hope there is good use found for the Dome.

I don't live in Harris County either so can't vote either.

Have they said what happens if bond issue fails?

[nunusguy]

Sounds like both of you have the luxury of clinging to sentimental memories of the old Dome while not being in the position of being a Houston/Harris Co taxpayer who
would be stuck with subsidizing and sustaining the existence of a fiscal fiasco.

[Keith]

I am not a Harris County voter either, but since there is already venue in the same parking lot that can be used as a convention hall (not to mention the GRB downtown), why is another one necessary? Seriously asking... haven't been keeping up with this.

Seems to me the Texans could use the extra real estate for parking, which would generate some revenue since so many fans seem to enjoy gameday traffic without a ticket for the game itself. Sure a new convention venue would generate more revenue, but the A/C bill on the Dome alone must be pretty expensive too.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

I will be sprinting to the polls in November when they open to vote this sukker down ! More 1st rate politicians with a 4th rate business idea.

i agree with this thought

[nunusguy]

Reliant Park and Harris County officials on Thursday announced the launch of a campaign to garner voter support for a plan to redevelop the Astrodome, with Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Precinct 1 Commissioner El Franco Lee each pledging $5,000 to the effort.

A referendum to fund the project will appear on the ballot this November. If approved, the county would issue up to $217 million in bonds to turn the now-vacant stadium into "The New Dome Experience," an energy-efficient event center flanked by an "inviting" outdoor green space.
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Officials from Harris County, which owns the Dome and Reliant Park, and the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation, the agency that oversees the complex and conceived the renovation plan, will drive the campaign, along with a coalition of local and national historic preservation groups keen on saving the structure.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news...gn-4810625.php
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Usual line-up of suspects here, including the fat-cats like Emmett who already "manage" the fiscal affairs of Harris country, who are pushing this deal. We all know that there's never been any project for the Dome that's made economic sense to the private sector, that's why it's stood vacant all these years.
I saw a story on the national TV news this week about some of the nations largest municipalities including Chicago & Philly that may be right behind Detroit in terms of their futures fiscally speaking, so if you are a Houston taxpayer and you like that kind of publicity for your home town on the 5:30 news I suggest you vote for this project in November. But if you don't want to add more debt to the citys balance sheet for something that's not economically feasible, say "NO" to the referendum in November !

[HPF Bob]

flanked by an "inviting" outdoor green space.

Translation: something that isn't concrete or asphalt.

[Keith]

[WMH]

I don't live "in" Houston, so I don't really have a dog in the tax game hunt, but man, that would be pretty cool if they could pull it off.

We went up to NE for the playoff game, and we were all pretty impressed with Patriots place. It seems that video is along the same lines.

Nice place to visit, but wouldn't want to have to pay for it....