Search Results for: astrodome

More on the Astrodome Redevelopment opposition

Following up on yesterday’s announcement that the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo had come out against the Astrodome Redevelopment plan, here’s today’s Chron story, with more details. Scott Hanson, president of Astrodome Redevelopment, held out hope that … Continue reading Continue reading

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Reliant and Rodeo oppose Astrodome Redevelopment

Here’s an obstacle that the Astrodome Redevelopment folks may not be able to clear: The Texans and Houston rodeo officials came out today in opposition of plans to turn the iconic Reliant Astrodome into an upscale hotel and convention center … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Design change for the Astrodome hotel

Time for another Astrodome redevelopment update. Entrepreneurs looking to turn the iconic Astrodome into an upscale convention hotel have scrapped a “best of historic Texas” theme for a more modern, streamlined look. A faux Texas courthouse and other features that … Continue reading Continue reading

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Not so fast on that Astrodome reprieve

Miya Shay reports that the effort by Sen. Kyle Janek to make the Astrodome redevelopment project eligible for certain tax rebates may not make it through after all. With all that’s happening in the House, if this wasn’t a sure … Continue reading Continue reading

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Another reprieve for the Astrodome

Last week, I noted that State Sen. Kyle Janek had amended HB3694 to qualify the Astrodome hotel redevelopment project for some tax rebates, for the purpose of helping it to get financing, which has proven elusive so far. The amended … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

More public funding for the Astrodome Hotel?

When last we looked, there was talk of Harris County being the financier for the proposed Astrodome Hotel, as private financing had not come through. Now there may be another public avenue for the project, thanks to the Legislature. Sen. … Continue reading Continue reading

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One last hope for the Astrodome Hotel

So the Astrodome Redevelopment folks didn’t get financing by the March deadline. There’s always the county to turn to for help. “From day one, we have always known that it is an option to do this as a publicly developed … Continue reading Continue reading

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Is this the end for the Astrodome Hotel?

Back in August, Commissioners’ Court approved a plan by the Astrodome Redevelopment folks to secure financing for their much-touted Dome Hotel. They were supposed to have that in hand by March of this year. Well, as Tom and Houstonist have … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

The Astrodome Hotel exit ramp

Another step in the Astrodome Hotel saga, as the developers are asking for a new exit ramp from Loop 610 to their location, in order to avoid Reliant/rodeo traffic. Astrodome Redevelopment Corp., a consortium proposing the development, favors building a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

The Astrodome Amusement Park

Hey, we may have found a use for the Astrodome: The world’s largest indoor amusement park is coming to the Astrodome next week. With Astroworld gone the Astrodome is picking up the slack for summer fun. […] Jerry Murphy says … Continue reading Continue reading

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Astrodome not turning away evacuees

Via Greg comes this message from Harris County Judge Robert Eckels. The Astrodome site is not turning away evacuees. The gates are open. When a bus arrives, medical personnel board the bus and determine the medical needs of the persons … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 6 Comments

Once again with the Astrodome Convention Center

I’m still trying to understand the arguments in favor of building a hotel/convention center complex out of the shell of the Astrodome. The decline of the natural gas trading business, brought on by Enron’s bankruptcy, also hurt hotels, said Joan … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 5 Comments

The Astrodome Village

I’m not sure what surprises me more – that there’s a plan to turn the Astrodome into a make-believe village of things that mostly don’t exist in Houston (the reason being in some cases that we’ve bulldozed them to build … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

What will the Astrodome be today?

Haven’t we heard this story before? Astrodome Redevelopment Co. is continuing to look at whether it makes good business sense to spend hundreds of millions to turn the building into a mammoth, luxury convention hotel. The company, selected by the … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 10 Comments

In order to save the Astrodome…

I’m a little behind the times in commenting on this story about the sad current state of affairs with the Astrodome. Tom thinks that demolition is the Dome’s ultimate fate and that it’s past time for us to recognize that. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 9 Comments

The Astrodome hotel

Looks like we may have finally settled the what-to-do-with-the-Astrodome question: The company which is seeking to redevelop the Dome now has a plan to turn it into a hotel/entertainment center. The new plan still calls for some rides, possibly even … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

The Astrodome: A space museum?

Just one news item for today: The winner of the what-to-do-with-the-Astrodome sweepstakes is an outfit that wants to turn it into a space museum. The empty confines of the Reliant Astrodome could someday offer a glimpse at the vastness of … Continue reading Continue reading

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Astrodome update

Via Eric McErlain comes this story about the status of the Eighth Wonder of the World: The vastness of the Astrodome still impresses, but little else does. The plumbing is unreliable; the AstroTurf carpet is stained and coming apart at … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 26 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of October 2

The Texas Progressive Alliance weekly roundup is best served with ketchup and seemingly ranch.

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Houston “wins” 2028 RNC

Yippie. Houston will host the 2028 Republican National Convention, landing the high-profile event for the first time in more than 30 years. GOP officials announced the selection Friday during their summer meeting, giving Houston the nod over finalists Nashville and … Continue reading

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Houston vies for 2028 RNC

I’ll be sure to be out of town if we get it. Houston wants the GOP to come to the Bayou City for its national convention in 2028. City Council on Wednesday voted 14-2 to pass a resolution in support … Continue reading

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Harris County ponders a bond election

First one in awhile. Harris County leaders will begin discussions Tuesday about whether to add a bond election to the November ballot. The bond would be a hybrid measure to raise money for roads, parks, flood control, and public safety. … Continue reading

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So whatever happened to Astroworld II?

It’s still out there, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for it. For more than four years, Mayor Sylvester Turner has trumpeted Houston’s need for a destination theme park that would boost the region’s tourism industry and provide an outlet … Continue reading

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Weekend link dump for November 15

As a reward for making it through these past few weeks, please enjoy this amazing aerial photo of the Astrodome, from its early days. “After four years of a president who couldn’t abide pets, dogs will once again cavort on … Continue reading

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 9

The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Harris County approves early childhood development funds

Nice. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved a $10 million fund to invest in early childhood development programs proposed by County Judge Lina Hidalgo, her chief policy goal for 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the county government to … Continue reading

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Weekend link dump for August 9

“In much the same way that the toilet paper industry was overwhelmed by the coronavirus quarantine, so, too, is the agriculture industry dealing with a sudden and unexpected shift in their priorities.” “While the killing of George Floyd has galvanized … Continue reading

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Weekend link dump for February 2

What might have happened in the next season of some TV shows that got canceled. Gotta say, as a fan of “Castle”, I’m glad the Season 9 that might have been never did happen. “[Alan] Dershowitz’s career is a testament … Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 5 Comments

Some flood mitigation funds are coming

Good. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Houston its first grant aimed at mitigating flooding since Hurricane Harvey hit nearly two years ago, laying the groundwork for new gates on the Lake Houston dam and detention basins in Inwood … Continue reading

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Rock me like a Herricane

I had no idea this existed. Rose Kelley was jogging through Memorial Park one summer evening when she saw a group of women practicing football. One of the women spotted Kelley, with her sturdy frame and strong legs, and figured … Continue reading

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Texas blog roundup for the week of December 17

The Texas Progressive Alliance is busy decorating for Mueller-mas as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Weekend link dump for December 16

“These power grabs highlight one of the most disturbing facts about American politics today: The Republican Party has become institutionally indifferent to the health of democracy. It prioritizes power over principle to such an extreme degree that it undermines the … Continue reading

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Houston to get XFL 2.0 team

For those of you that need more football. TDECU Stadium at the University of Houston will be the home field for Houston’s team in the XFL, the spring football league owned by WWE chairman Vince McMahon that will begin play … Continue reading

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Final Four returns to Houston

Mark your calendars. The NCAA announced Monday that Houston and NRG Stadium will host the 2023 men’s Final Four. College basketball’s marquee event will be held April 1 and 3. It will mark the fourth time the event will be … Continue reading

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