Chron's Murphy ever the optimist on Astrodome Hotel boondoggle
Last weekend, both KHOU-11 and KRIV-26's Isiah Carey reported on the latest obstacles facing the Astrodome Hotel Boondoggle developers. Here's KHOU's characterization:
The battle over the future of the Astrodome entered a new round this week. On Friday, 11 News received a copy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's response to a group's proposal to convert the 8th Wonder of the World into a themed-hotel and conference center.
In a tersely-worded, 14-page letter to the Harris County attorney, the rodeo complained that the proposal would cut into event parking and interfere with rodeo events.
The livestock show bosses also said that they have “clearly defined” rights in its lease agreement with the county for the use of Reliant Park. It also claims the proposed development could interfere with the rodeo's ability to conduct its operations.
And here's Carey's characterization:
There could be a major stumbling block in the redevelopment of Reliant Astrodome. This comes as the Houston Livestock and Rodeo gets involved. The once eighth wonder of the world is almost like a stepchild now.
Long gone are the glory days, and the future may not be so bright. Leroy Shafer with the Houston Livestock and Rodeo says he has concerns with the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation.
It's the company that won approval from the county to redevelop the dome into a convention style hotel. Rodeo officials had a chance to review the preliminary lease the county has drafted with arc to redevelop the Astrodome.
In a letter obtained through open records, the rodeo points out several issues where their rights as a tenant in Reliant Park would be infringed upon by the developer.
Construction of a skybridge, a walkway and primary access improvements would impact the rodeo, Shafer said. A proposed parking garage and 4 years of construction would also have an effect on the annual scholarship drive.
"There are a lot of issues that are there," he said. "Are they insurmountable? I don't think so at all."
There's also an issue over naming rights of the dome. Shafer says Reliant still reserves that right even if a developer steps in.
Leave it to the Chronicle's resident cheerleader for the project, Bill Murphy, to put a much happier spin on the current state of affairs (although it apparently took a few days):
Despite their previous staunch opposition to the project, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Texans signaled that they may be able to coexist with a convention hotel that would be built in the Astrodome.
Their more conciliatory attitude toward the 1,300-room project was evident in recently submitted reviews of the proposed convention hotel lease.
"We will be pleased to work with the (Harris County Sports and Convention Corp., Astrodome Redevelopment Co. and the rodeo) in an effort to finalize agreements that protect the rights of all parties and allow for the successful redevelopment of the Reliant Astrodome," wrote Texans president Jamey Rootes in an Aug. 1 letter to the county attorney's office.
That's framed quite a bit differently than the TV news reports. The boondoggle developers ought to consider adding Murphy to their PR staff.
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Posted by Kevin Whited @ 08/06/08 10:41 PM | Print |
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