RENOVATION OF RICE STADIUM NOT LIKELY TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE

          A renovation of Rice Stadium "is not an efficient way
     to build a football facility with hopes of attracting an NFL
     team to Houston," according to a study for Houston NFL
     Holdings cited by John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. 
     The study, "the first of five that will explore possible
     football stadiums, said it will cost at least 25 percent
     more to renovate Rice Stadium than build a new one."  The
     study was conducted by HOK for Houston NFL Holdings, a group
     spearheaded by business exec Robert McNair and IHL Aeros
     Owner Chuck Watson.  The study will "determine what type of
     stadium Houston should include in its offer to be presented
     to NFL owners in March" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/26).