Comments on: Rodeo Houston Doesn’t Care What Happens to the Astrodome — As Long As the Rodeo Gets To Use It

By: Chris Alexander

Chris Alexander — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:14:13 +0000

Statement from the Board of directors, ASTRODOME*TOMORROW:

First, on behalf of everyone at ASTRODOME*TOMORROW, I would like to thank you for your genuine concern for the current state of the Astrodome and its implications for the people of Harris County, the City of Houston, and the State of Texas. The dome was built to last 150 years or longer, but as we approach the 50th anniversary of its opening, we see a facility whose appearance and environmental and mechanical systems have deteriorated despite public spending for its upkeep.

Although six years of research and development have gone into this project, we are a young organization made up entirely of volunteers. Our first goals are to create awareness as to the current state and potential of the dome, and to offer a reasonable plan for a renaissance that will create jobs, retail, and educational opportunities. Our goal as we move forward is to utilize philanthropic funding while creating partnerships that assure continued operational success for the Astrodome and Reliant Park. The dome is an engineering marvel, a Houston icon recognized around the world, and we hope to celebrate its past while breathing new life into its future. We believe we can do both while supporting Reliant Park’s anchor tenants.

Our board, while still forming, is made up of dedicated citizens and professionals with a common goal to make the dome an “out of this world” experience that will positively affect Houston and Harris County for many years to come. Out of respect for those involved we will not be releasing detailed information until our official launch, which is coming soon. We value being an organization run by principles of integrity and transparency and we will address all concerns at our launch.

Again, all of us at ASTRODOME*TOMORROW would like to thank you for your concern and questions.

By: Adam Socki

Adam Socki — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:42:07 +0000

Letting the rodeo use it as another stage or something sounds like the best idea I’ve heard. Save the DOME!

By: Evie

Evie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:24:34 +0000

I prefer the renaissance festival anyway.

By: Bob-o

Bob-o — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:53:45 +0000

I think the Asstrodome would make a super-awesome, spaced-themed hotel and casino. But alas, we must gamble everywhere else but Texas.

By: markd

markd — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:50:58 +0000

Sounds like a Rodeo Welfare program. Pull the plug…

By: MC

MC — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:58:54 +0000

Harris County just needs to $h@# or get off the pot with the Astrodome. Either something can be done with it or it cannot (I’m leaving towards the latter), but it cannot sit there forever.
It would take hundreds of millions just to get it cleaned up to be another venue which the city doesn’t need. All the pie in the sky ideas like a hotel, planetarium, and “Astrodome Tomorrow” sound good on the surface, but they will hardly generate millions let alone billions. Then there’s the cost factor, no private entity will put up the money, the county will not pay for it either. Tear it down.

By: htownproud

htownproud — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:41:14 +0000

like Roy, I don’t get all the hate for the rodeo. If you don’t like it, don’t go. other than the trail rides, i don’t see how it would affect people that don’t go to it. furthermore, it is undisputed that they give millions every year for scholarships. maybe the percentage isn’t as high as some of you would like, but they also have to put on a massive three week show. they are clearly not the same as a red cross or united way, but i don’t think most people look at them like that.

And it’s a historic tradition that brings the town together — something most posters on this site crave.

as for the astrodome, wagner’s comments seem spot on, albeit obvious — either it needs to be torn down or renovated. not sure there is anything controversial there . . .

By: bigintexas33

bigintexas33 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:36:54 +0000

The whole “I don’t care what happens as long as I like the result” attitude is exactly why the Astrodome has been sitting vacant and falling into disrepair for a decade. The Rodeo CEO has a huge influence on the eventual fate of the Astrodome and this indifference is only going to continue the problem.

What if the Rodeo helped contribute to a workable solution instead of just sitting idle waiting for something to happen.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:52:36 +0000

It’s more than hype. When I hear stuff like “space travel, global consciousness, permaculture, green/alternative energy, and community development.”, my BS meter pegs. ASTRODOME*TOMORROW is just another scheme to separate suckers from their money.

By: G.L.

G.L. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:35:13 +0000

The Rodeo has been given a free ride by local government for the decade since it left the Astrodome, allowing it to roll up more than $100 million yearly in “assets” while not spending a dime to stop the ‘Dome’s decay.
Just look online at the Rodeo’s IRS form 990 for the latest year (2010) — $94 million in revenue; $112.6 million in net assets. The same quoted rodeo CEO raking in nearly $1 million in compensation. And more than $400k for “lobbying” and $13.3 million in salaries. About a dime of every dollar goes to education, so don’t even try that lame excuse to justify this out-of-control monster.
It is past time for politicians in the county to stop the absurb subsidies for this spectacle. Of course, they’re lined up at the trough as well…

By: bubba

bubba — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:39:05 +0000

“Astrodome Tomorrow” sounds like a bunch of hype to me. The same type of hype that got the place built in the first place. Billions in tourist dollars – my a$$. I say tear it down. Quit bagwelling the place.

By: Chris Alexander

Chris Alexander — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:46:26 +0000

The nonprofit corporation is organized for the following purposes:

To author, advocate, enable and assure the realization of ASTRODOME*TOMORROW, a comprehensive, visionary redevelopment plan and sustaining program for Reliant Park and the Reliant Astrodome.

To promote appreciation and development of issues and initiatives of great importance to ASTRODOME*TOMORROW founders, including: space travel, global consciousness, permaculture, green/alternative energy, and community development.

To serve the people of Houston and Harris County by fostering the creation of a unique, world-class destination experience that combines spectacular applications of space-age technologies, advanced innovations in education techniques, and an amenity-rich, sustainable green park.

To devise, recommend, and secure charitable funding for innovative solutions for operational and strategic challenges facing Reliant Park now and in the future.

To help create structural and financial mechanisms for effective management and stewardship of the new spaces and activities that comprise ASTRODOME*TOMORROW.
____________________________

We believe that there are enough people of good will to make this projected transformation possible with NO substantial public funding. And we are working diligently to ADD value to the benefits that HLSR, Texans, OTC and other tenants accrue from Reliant Park. But you will have to wait a bit longer for the details.