The Astrodome debacle (Houston, Dallas, Center: home, theater, to eat)

[crbcrbrgv]

Well, I hope we do something before either a: The Turks buy it (i.e. Harmony Charters) or b: It becomes another mega church sold for pennies on the dollar.

No offense to my Christian friends and Osteen followers, but he (and especially his wife) really make me scratch my head. Jesus was one of us originally, and I don't believe he would approve of their lifestyle.

[stoneclaw]

That's actually another thing I would not like to see done with the Dome.

A Megachurch? Heck no.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by stoneclaw

That's actually another thing I would not like to see done with the Dome.

A Megachurch? Heck no.

Nor a mega mosque or a mega shul. But, I worry it could become a house of worship. That would just be too much.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by HouTXmetro

I respectfully disagree. It depends on how you view. Maybe as a football/sports venue it is no longer iconic, but from an architectural/historical standpoint it is iconic.

Architecturally significant structures are pleasing to the eye, the dome is not. Not anymore. It doesn't make sense to preserve a rotten shell just because it was a feat of architecture in the early 60s.

Originally Posted by 3shipguy

If the Astrodome is a true architectural/historical icon/landmark, then it would be on the national registry of historic places and would not be demolished. Alas, it is not. So stop comparing it to the London's Craven Cottage Stadium, Rome's Colosseum or San Antonio's missions for that matter. People are in awe of the history of these places. The only people who care about the Astrodome are nolstagic Houstonians. Nostagia alone is not enough to spend 2 mill each year to let it sit.

That's a good point. The Astrodome would be on the NRHP list if it were that significant. Also, there would have been a huge movement in Houston to try and get it added to the list.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

No offense to my Christian friends and Osteen followers, but he (and especially his wife) really make me scratch my head. Jesus was one of us originally, and I don't believe he would approve of their lifestyle.

I bet what they paid for that building doesn't even cover the cost of the nice Edloe St. highway overpass that is conveniently located right next to them.

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by Dopo

There's something called "Corruption" that will build a brand new stadium where is not needed and will tear down another stadium that in the worse case, could be put up for sell.... just to get a few make parking spots.

Corruption? How about the Dome was a terrible stadium for actually watching games. As perhaps the first stadium designed for both football and baseball, it ended up serving neither. Sight lines were terrible, you were way too far from the field, and it was too big for bb and too small for fb. When built, it seemed amazing (and was). Thirty years later, people realized newer stadiums, purpose-built stadiums, would be better.

I'm not saying big-business, big-money machinations weren't behind some of it, just that it wasn't driven by corruption.

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Nor a mega mosque or a mega shul. But, I worry it could become a house of worship. That would just be too much.

You can't use it for anything that requires Sunday. That's football day.

Originally Posted by Dopo

I bet what they paid for that building doesn't even cover the cost of the nice Edloe St. highway overpass that is conveniently located right next to them.

Wasn't the overpass there before the church? It's not like they built it for them.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by astrohip

Wasn't the overpass there before the church? It's not like they built it for them.

It wasn't built for them, but it raises the value of property
Have you ever heard the saying "Location, location, location"?

[Schumacher713]

You could not do a Megachurch at the Dome. Could you imagine Sunday football. They have to walk past tons of drunk people tailgating. The traffic would be a nightmare during rodeo and football. The logistics are just not there. Not to mention they would have to buy the old Astroworld lot. Then again these churches have way too much money.

[gymrat]

This is coming from a person that has to be at a long weekend event in Houston every year.
This last time in February we walked all the way around the Dome. The parks on one side are nice and we enjoyed those during our long breaks and the weather was nice. However, one big park, no!
What I would like to see: HOTEL! And dining options, please! Getting to Reliant is not an easy task. This last time we stayed in the Medical District so that we could take advantage of the Metro. Guess what? That was the weekend that Houston decided to shut down the rail line for repairs. Thanks! NOT! With a huge event going on and thousands of people staying where they could purposely use the Metro Rail to avoid the traffic nightmare of getting into the parking lot someone did not check the schedule of events. UGH! There is also no where to walk to get something to eat. I get tired of the concessions at these events and would love some better options.

As we walked around the Dome we spoke to the security guards as I was curious on the latest status of the Dome. The two we spoke to said they would like to see it turned into an entertainment district. We were told there is full time security around the Dome 24/7 and at Reliant Park. I like the idea of the entertainment district with dining, fun things to do and a hotel. As many events that are hosted at Reliant Park this would be great and I'm sure the out of town guests would finally rave about the space Houston has to offer. Right now, I'd rather us attend an event somewhere besides Houston. This event was moved to Reliant 3 years ago from the GRB. Loved the GRB as the Hyatt is connected and we can walk to multiple dining options in the area. Being stuck at Reliant for a few hours between times is no fun. Most people do not want to pay for re-entry to park 2-3 times in one day. So they stay and what happens then, they complain. It looks bad on all of Houston.

Visit Ft Worth and you will see when you walk out of the convention center the world is practically in front of you. Several hotel options of all levels as well as dining for everyone within a nice stroll. Enough dining that the convention center can empty out and there are very low wait times at the nearby dining establishments. Dallas is gettig better, finally! The new hotel connects and several others close by and on the DART rail line. Dining is picking up to the fact there is a very busy convention center nearby.

Houston, there is a problem with Reliant Park. Give us visitors that have to go there for events and are there for very long days a hotel or 3 and some places to eat that are all on property or within a short walk that one feels safe with their kids.
1. If you updated the Arena (yuck, we were there the first year this event moved to Reliant).
2. Do something with the Dome be it reinvent the space or tear it down and do some entertainment district with hotel and dining.
3. Redevelop the old AstroWorld land with hotels, shopping, dining and open up the crosswalk over 610.
Doing these 3 things would make visitors to Houston actually enjoy their time there and see it in a positive light. Right now, it is a pita. Try seeing it from a visitors standpoint.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

You could not do a Megachurch at the Dome. Could you imagine Sunday football. They have to walk past tons of drunk people tailgating. The traffic would be a nightmare during rodeo and football. The logistics are just not there. Not to mention they would have to buy the old Astroworld lot. Then again these churches have way too much money.

A church can buy a stadium but a casino can't.... only in Texas