Harris County residents cannot let the Texans (re: Bob McNair) and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HSL & R) tear down the Astrodome. There is zero benefit to this solution, and if we let them (the Texans and HSL & R) go through with it, we are being robbed.
Before I slay the argument of tearing down the only iconic building in this city's histroy, let's look at the benefits of demolishing the now dilapidated monument. First, there's the 2,500 extra parking spaces for 30-40 dates out of a 365 day year. For the 10 (12 if they ever don't fade in crunch time) Texans games a year, and 20 or so Rodeo days, Bob McNair and the Cowpokes (rodeo people) would get to charge us 40 or more per car to park within walking distance of Reliant Stadium! That's an extra $100,000 per date of sold out parking!
All this extra cash help the Texans bring in free agents, right? No. The Texans already operate at or near the NFL salary cap. More revenue won't make a difference. Any extra income would go solely to the Texans Organization, HSL & R bigwigs, and the two organizations' investors. Will the price of beer, or soda, or peanuts, or cotton candy, or official gear, or even water, for that matter, get cheaper? I don't think so, Tim. Essentially by tearing down the Astrodome, we're paying $60 million to line our tenants' wallets.
Oh, but wait Scotty. The Texans and HSL & R say it will only cost us $30 million - give or take - to wreck the place. The problem is Harris County still owes around $30 million in construction debt (from when we refurbished the place back in the 90's), and that bill ain't going away. Plus, you have to expect that taxpayers will be on the hook for the demolition too... so, there you have it: $60 million.
Ahhhh, but the NFL says we have a better chance of landing another edition of the super Bowl if we clear the space for more parking.
Really? We are considering dropping to the ground the lone world-famous, iconic building in this metroplex's history for a few extra spots for limos - once every 15 years at most? That makes total sense... to no one at all.
The strongest argument for getting rid of the Astrodome is that unused, it is costing us millions for upkeep. To me, this is short-sighted at the least, and nefarious at its worst.
It's short-sighted because while the amount we pay to keep the building standing gets us nothing in return, neither does demolishing it. The Cowpokes broke yet another attendance record this year. Not once did I see on the news a story about how parking near all the ropin', ridin', and country music festivities was a problem. In fact, I used to live on a neighborhood street within walking distance to Reliant Stadium, and not once was Reliant overflow an issue. Never. Ask people that live near Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, or most other stadiums what it's like when it's gameday. They'd kill for our parking situation.
On the other side of levels of integrity, the Texans and HSL & R have LET (and are perfectly fine with letting) the dome go to shit. You know they've been eyeing that acreage since the construction of Reliant Stadium began. Keeping the Astrodome dark for so many years creates a very favorable situation. As it gets to be in a greater state of disrepair, the better the likelihood that it is razed and turned into a new revenue source for McNair and the boot-scootin-boogiers. Sounds like an attractive solution... for them.
You're probably thinking to yourself right now, "OK, destroying a Houston landmark doesn't seem like the best idea, but what do you, Scotty, think would be an ideal answer?"
Anything.
All I want is a plan that will keep the external structure of the Astrodome intact. Tearing it down gets rid of the ONLY famous thing about this city. 40 years ago, people around the world came to Houston to get a glimpse at this building some said could never work. What I want is to once again make the site of the Astrodome a place where people from any corner of the planet would want to see.
When out of town friends ask you where to go while in H-town, what is your response? Some awesome steakhouse, maybe, the park at Discovery Green, or... wait I'm out of ideas. If the Astrodome were converted to something useful, we'd actually have something iconic (ala Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, etc.) to send them to. You can't send friends to a parking lot.
But what would work on that site?
Again.. anything.
The idea I like most is an indoor ski-park in the winter and a open air water-park in the summer. I realize what that would run financially, but hey, I'm not married to that idea. I'd be happy with a hotel/mall. Turn it into a casino, or a museum, or aquarium, or a Grand Central Station-type rail hub, or whatever. Hell, I'd be fine with HISD or HCC taking it over and making it into a learning facility. Either way, clearing the way for more parking seems like the least valuable option for the people that own the land.
At the very least, if it's decided to make the Astrodome into a parking space, let's figure out a way to keep the outer structure. That way, the iconic image from this city stays in place... and Mr. McNair and the Rodeo get to make their money. It would be one of the strangest looking parking facilities, but at least the "Dome" would still be standing.
It would be much better for everyone if the Astrodome were once again a revenue stream for the county. We'd have something to show our friends, the land would get used way more often than it does right now, and the city would, for once, show an interest in maintaining history.
Let's keep the Astrodome standing. Bringing it down does you and me no good.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Ode to a great pair of shorts
Dear Green Shorts,
You will be soon headed for a trash can. Before that happens, I want to share what you've meant to me over the years.
You'll be in the trash because even the cleaning lady says no one wants them down in Mexico. She'll take anything, including broken DVD players, but you aren't good enough for poor Mexicans. If it were up to me, I'd figure out a way to keep you with me another 6 years, but the woman (always the woman) won't let me. She says the hole that exposes my thigh-pubes is too much for the public. She says it's time to give up and get a new pair. As if that's easy.
You've been with me on the beach. You've been with me in the snow. You've been with me when I'm late. You've been with me when I didn't know where to go. Like a loyal puppy, you never asked questions. Like Brett Favre, you showed up to work, even if you were beaten up from the long short-wearing season we have here in Houston. Rarely did I need to put a belt on you after a week's worth of wearing. I've put on and lost weight. Yet, you were always ready to step in and get the job done.
When our relationship first began to blossom, you were a nice faded green. Now, you are just faded. The thigh-pube showing hole isn't your only issue, but in the past you've always been able to cover up for your weaknesses with grit and effort. For that, I'll never forget you. A workman effort from a workman pair of shorts.
So, now it's on to one of a couple pair of navy cargos. You know the two candidates well. They were the ones always below you in the dresser. They only got work when you needed a break. Now they'll be asked to fill bigger roles. Only time will tell if they have what it takes. This is like a fledgling reliever trying to step up and become a starter for a world series contender.
In closing, Green Shorts, I want you to know there will never be another pair like you. All good things must come to an end. But unlike Brett Favre, there will be no comeback. Be proud of the fact that you started and ended your career in the same place. That's rare these days.
Enjoy retirement. Perhaps there's life after Scotty's legs. Maybe look into broadcasting.
Best wishes and see you in hell,
Scotty
You will be soon headed for a trash can. Before that happens, I want to share what you've meant to me over the years.
You'll be in the trash because even the cleaning lady says no one wants them down in Mexico. She'll take anything, including broken DVD players, but you aren't good enough for poor Mexicans. If it were up to me, I'd figure out a way to keep you with me another 6 years, but the woman (always the woman) won't let me. She says the hole that exposes my thigh-pubes is too much for the public. She says it's time to give up and get a new pair. As if that's easy.You've been with me on the beach. You've been with me in the snow. You've been with me when I'm late. You've been with me when I didn't know where to go. Like a loyal puppy, you never asked questions. Like Brett Favre, you showed up to work, even if you were beaten up from the long short-wearing season we have here in Houston. Rarely did I need to put a belt on you after a week's worth of wearing. I've put on and lost weight. Yet, you were always ready to step in and get the job done.
When our relationship first began to blossom, you were a nice faded green. Now, you are just faded. The thigh-pube showing hole isn't your only issue, but in the past you've always been able to cover up for your weaknesses with grit and effort. For that, I'll never forget you. A workman effort from a workman pair of shorts.
So, now it's on to one of a couple pair of navy cargos. You know the two candidates well. They were the ones always below you in the dresser. They only got work when you needed a break. Now they'll be asked to fill bigger roles. Only time will tell if they have what it takes. This is like a fledgling reliever trying to step up and become a starter for a world series contender.
In closing, Green Shorts, I want you to know there will never be another pair like you. All good things must come to an end. But unlike Brett Favre, there will be no comeback. Be proud of the fact that you started and ended your career in the same place. That's rare these days.
Enjoy retirement. Perhaps there's life after Scotty's legs. Maybe look into broadcasting.
Best wishes and see you in hell,
Scotty
Saturday, January 26, 2013
This TIme is Gonna be Different
This blog is called "This time is gonna be different" because, well, this time is gonna be different. It's my 5th or 6th attempt at creating and maintaining a working blog. Discipline is not a strong-suit of mine, however, the hope is that this time will be different.
Over the last few weeks, I've been told countless times, I should be writing. I just quit my job as a television news writer, so for now my outlet to write will be this blog.
Why will this time be different? I don't know for sure that it will. What I do know, is for the first time in nearly 4 years, I am motivated and confident in my writing. I am having a hard time not writing. I have strong opinions on just about everything.
What should you expect to see on this blog? I'm not really sure yet. For now, this thing is just for me. I need to be in the groove of writing everyday. I do know that I will have no fear of speaking my mind. There will be no throwing shit up on the wall just to see what sticks. Stirring the pot is only good if you have a well thought out argument to make.
For now here are some of my accepted truths:
1. Phish is the greatest rock band around. It must suck to be other bands knowing you are shooting for 2nd place.
2. Howard Stern is the greatest performer in the history of radio.
3. Most current music is awful.
4. Reality Television is not real.
5. Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs should be legal in sports. There's way more money in beating a drug test than there is in stopping athletes from using illegal substances.
6. Not all drugs are bad, mmmkay.
... and much more.
Hopefully, this time will actually be different. Sit down and enjoy the ride.
Over the last few weeks, I've been told countless times, I should be writing. I just quit my job as a television news writer, so for now my outlet to write will be this blog.
Why will this time be different? I don't know for sure that it will. What I do know, is for the first time in nearly 4 years, I am motivated and confident in my writing. I am having a hard time not writing. I have strong opinions on just about everything.
What should you expect to see on this blog? I'm not really sure yet. For now, this thing is just for me. I need to be in the groove of writing everyday. I do know that I will have no fear of speaking my mind. There will be no throwing shit up on the wall just to see what sticks. Stirring the pot is only good if you have a well thought out argument to make.
For now here are some of my accepted truths:
1. Phish is the greatest rock band around. It must suck to be other bands knowing you are shooting for 2nd place.
2. Howard Stern is the greatest performer in the history of radio.
3. Most current music is awful.
4. Reality Television is not real.
5. Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs should be legal in sports. There's way more money in beating a drug test than there is in stopping athletes from using illegal substances.
6. Not all drugs are bad, mmmkay.
... and much more.
Hopefully, this time will actually be different. Sit down and enjoy the ride.
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