A new financing plan is "emerging" for a downtown baseball
stadium in Houston which includes "possibly razing" the Astrodome
and erecting a football stadium in its place, three sources
confirmed to John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Officials
will "gauge public opinion" on the proposal, particularly by
"making sure" the Astrodome complex is updated to the
"satisfaction" of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, "one of
the city's more politically influential groups." Astros Owner
Drayton McLane said yesterday that he was "optimistic an
agreement in principle can be ironed out in the next two days,"
including a way for Harris County to purchase McLane's Astrodome
USA lease to operate the Astrodome through the year 2023. McLane
is "leaning toward" a downtown ballpark site if he remains in
Houston. Under the downtown deal being considered for a new
$250M retractable-roof stadium, Harris County would not have to
contribute $180M of the funding, as local officials would "ask
the Legislature to allow them to impose a countywide rental car
tax and limited downtown parking tax, which would be imposed only
while games are being played." This would raise $110M of the
$180M the county pledged (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/12).
