Talks between Astros Owner Drayton McLane and Harris County
Judge Robert Eckels reached a "major breakthrough," when McLane
agreed to take responsibility for cost overruns above $250M,
according to John Williams in the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Eckels:
"I'm encouraged by what has happened but we still have some work
to do." Sources indicate that among the "work to do" is deciding
how to bridge a $20M gap on the cost of a stadium. Sources also
say McLane still wants $15-17M in pledges to help him cover
losses during the estimated time it would take to build a new
stadium. McLane: "We're somewhat uncomfortable, but we're
trying to reach out and make offerings we don't want to, but are
willing to, such as the cost overruns. But the county has to
help in other areas." Eckels said he will ask county
commissioners to set a "broadly worded" November 5 referendum on
both a ballpark for the Astros and a new football facility. The
referendum would ask county voters "to approve construction of
professional sports facilities without using any local property
tax dollars. It likely would not state which facilities would be
built, where or for how much." Eckels hopes if the referendum
passes, it would block MLB from allowing the team to move.
Eckels is reportedly considering having the county build a $250M
ballpark at the Astrodome complex. Then, $200M would be spent to
give the Astrodome a football alignment or to build a new domed
football stadium (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/30).
