Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Financing & Politics discussion (news, funding, economics, politics)

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Obese tax would be a great idea as well. How about a tax on fast food? I'm all for it.

But again, I don't think that these taxes should be the source of funds for stadiums & public development. They should be spent caring for the sick.

How about a city wide "ticket tax" of $1. No one would care about $1, but with all the events hosted by ticketmaster $1/ticket would make enough money to provide for the stadium in just a couple of years.

Then the money could go to upkeep of other stadiums/venues.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

re the taxing discussion - not to pick nits ('cause I'm NEVER the type of guy to do that ) - doesnt it belong in the "funding" thread?

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Somebody brought it up when describing Cleveland's potential stadium.

Please move it if it's not the place for it.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Man if that were to happen, I'd probably finance the stadium on my own.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Eric Wynalda mentioned last night on the game that OL told him that the talks with the city are progressing and everything is still on track for the July 15 deadline, but there could be an extension of a week or two. So that's cool. He talked about the location "next to" Minute Maid park and how it was important to the Dynamo to have a central location, not out in the suburbs like we've seen with other MLS parks.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

I predict the decision will be made in 60-90 days.

I predict the decision will be made in 60-90 days.

I predict the decision will be made in 60-90 days.

Sorry, I was playing OL's greatest hits album and the record started to skip.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Any word on when this deal will be finalized? Can it still be done by April "09?

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

I doubt it at this point. After approval, I would say it will take probably till late summer 09 to finish, and that would be fast. I could be wrong though...

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

1 thing I've noticed is that things in Houston get built pretty quick. You can blame it on the year-round building season. You can blame it on the abundance of cheap labor.

You can blame it on whatever you want, but if they get a deal done in the next 60 days, I could see a stadium ready at worst like Toyota Park was. Playing like 8 roadies to start and then opeing the new Dynamo Park.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Yeah it'll be summer of 09 or the beginning of the 2010 season.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

#1 .....bUMP

#2.....Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't they give us til the 15th of july to make a deal? Anyone heard anything yet?

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

The current negotiation period ends July 15, they could just decide to sign another letter of intent after this one expires, so we may not find out anything more than they are still talking. But that would still tell us that there's still hope though.

 

C'mon guys, 60-90 days, duh!!!!

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

I'm assuming if they don't announce anything by then and don't extend the letter then other cities can get back into the offering correct?

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

We're ********ed. Luck says that the deadline will be extended. Stadium by 2010. We can only hope.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

Oliver Luck on the Dynamo Power Hour said tonight re the new stadium that, "we'd like to be in something for the 2010 season."

That's a year or so later than the timetable I've been hearing in the past.

He also said "in the end it'll all boil down to dollars and cents."

 

OL also said that the Astros and Rockets won't be a problem.

He said that they're making good progress, but will probably have to extend the negotiations. Don't freak out. Negotiations are extended all the time. It's a normal thing.

Finally, he mentioned that the Mayor is engaged in the process and wants to see it happen. Given the structure of Houston city politics, that's essential.

 

Not surprised at all that it's 2010 for the stadium.

 

I thought 2010 was pretty much a given, there was no way it would have been ready for 2009.

And I'd much rather them extend the negotiations than end them, it's a sign that progress has been made and they think they can make more.

 

Re: Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

If you honestly thought they were going to go from a LOI to a completed stadium in 2 years, then you've been smoking way too much crack. Nothing was said tonight that should get anyone discouraged.

 

That's all great news. It's also very promising that they said 2010, and they're not going to rush on some simple stadium able to be completed in a year.

Hopefully we'll have one that stands out design-wise like DCU or RBNY's new stadiums with that location.

 

Posts discussing ideas about how the stadium should be designed moved to the stadium design thread:

Dynamo Downtown Stadium -- Design discussion (capacity, roof, stands, stage, etc.)

 

That kind of sucks, but when you stop to think about it hainvg the stadium by the start of 2009 would be a quick build and would be rushing it.

I'll take whatever delay is necessary as long as it's downtown.

 

2010 is fine with me... while it sounds like a long way off the beginning of the 2010 season isn't that much longer than 2 years away. And... I would much rather have us open up the new season in our new stadium with a whole offseason of buildup and anticipation leading up to it... than have us move into a mainly finished stadium midway through 2009 like Chicago did last year after spending the first two months of the season playing road games.

Here's my ideal dream scenario for the opening of the new stadium...

February 2010:

The MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo open up their defense of the newly expanded 16-team Concacaf Champions Cup tournament Saturday night at Insert Company Name Here Stadium in Downtown Houston versus Mexican Power Cruz Azul. If you want to see the Dynamo's first match in their brand new 25,000 seat soccer-specific-stadium, however, don't bother calling the Dynamo ticket offices. Tickets for Saturday's match have been sold out for weeks, so if you want to see the Dynamo open their new building you'll likely have to shell out $500 - $1,000 to one the areas' many ticket brokers. A final option for those who really want to witness the opening of Insert Company Name Here Stadium and don't mind standing and singing all game and perhaps dodging an avalanche or two is to contact either the Texian Army or El Batallon about tickets for the stadium's northend general admission terrace.

 

Rep'd. Who needs a Prophet when you have MBean??