It seems crazy but it could be true.
Vaunted politicians are at it again it seems and their lack of movment and knowledge of the stadium issue is staggering. Slow moving politicians are hurting the Dynamo stadium ground breaking. So how is it that places like Brideview, Illinois or Sandy Utah or even Denver, Colorado can get stadiums done but our city and county in Houston can’t?
I guarantee you that other cities looking for an MLS team like Ottawa or St. Louis have called the Dynamo enquiring about the potential of the franchise moving.
This is no joke depending upon how long AEG wants to be frustrated by city and county officials in Houston
Last night the Stadium went from being a step closer to sticking shovels in the ground to now an air of uncertainy.
Actually it was Monday night on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis when team president Oliver Luck that the Dynamo had secured financing of about 20 million dollars to cover the contributions of the city of Houston and Harris County.
It seemed this was the final hurdle to clear in a tough political climate.
BBVA/Compass bank owned by Spanish-based BBVA Group a supporter of Spain’s La Liga had agreed to the loan.
All of this seemed to fit the criteria for the Houston City Council and County Commissioners court to put the issue on the agenda for voting.
Both government entities according to Luck had agreed to commit Tax Increment Re-investment Zone revenue streams to the project.
Not so according to Commissioner El Franco Lee who is in precinct 1 where much of the stadium would be housed.
“There is nothing that I’m about to put on that agenda at all”, Lee said. “There’s nothing happening on that.”
WHAT ?
Sylvia Garcia spokesman Mark Seegers said a number of issues have not be resolved including the availability of affordable tickets for low-income families.
Amazing, and I do assume Ms. Garcia is going to the Texans, Rockets and Astros to make sure that affordable tickets are in place.
How much lower can the Dynamo go on tickets? They have to survive. And not knowing they have the lowest ticket pricing in town just gives you a glimpse into how much due diligence Ms. Garcia has done around the Dynamo.
Now is the time to send your thoughts to all in city and county politics. The mayor, Lee and Garcia are a great place to start but it is time to get active fanaticos.
So are these politicians really looking out for the people of Houston? Not just soccer but for the people of Houston . This re-development in the East End will create jobs etc. and it would be done mainly with AEG money.
Signed,
Frustrated and stunned in Houston (AKA Glenn Davis)
Danish Inspirations
Fiesta Mart
Houston Web Design
Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute
SportTalk 790
Zukowski, Bresenhan & Sinex, L.L.P.
I have to agree with being frustrated and stunned with our politians. This is a slap in the face to the fans and to the organizations. You say one thing and then do another. They don’t even have the sense to do their own research to see what ticket prices are compared to the other sports here in Houston. THis is unbelievable. I’ve already sent an email to both Garcia and Lee expressing my dissatisfaction with their actions and comments.
*politicians*
This is absolutely inexcusable considering the fact that the Houston Dynamo came to Houston because of a lack of stadium in San Jose. Now ironically San Jose will probably get their stadium before the groundbreaking ceremony even takes place. In an economy that needs every single job that it can get, this is truly devastating. There are cities across the world that have football (soccer) teams that don’t want to see them relegated just because there is a loss of jobs and revenue when that teams goes to the second division. Now imagine the Dynamo leaving completely, I go to school with students that are paying their way through college by having a job with the Houston Dynamo organization. Of course politicians are not going to care, since their jobs are somewhat secure in at least 2 year intervals. This does not even take into account the fact that incumbents having all of the extra resources and name power will rarely lose an election. Even if they do, they have usually acquired enough favors to get a nice white collar job. What about us though? What about the public? The people that need this job in order to pay for rising tuition costs and that need a job in order to feed their families? In these dire times our city needs a team that wins championships, that can contend year after year, and that can go to international tournaments representing us. We need this not only as an ad that can expose our growing city to the country and world, but as a distraction, a distraction from a world that is collapsing in front of our eyes. The one thing that really gets me angry and annoyed is that the majority of the public does not understand that the city is merely investing money not just wasting it. The Houston Dynamo is only asking for TRIZ, that and the stadium will be used for other events, it’s not going to be used exclusively for football! It will be used for events that can garner more international attention, like concerts, MMA, and Boxing! Eh…my rant is over…I need to attend class…
Signed,
An Annoyed Football (Soccer) Fan
GO LOS TUZOS DE PACHUCA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just infuriating!! When the team moved here, it was on the condition that a new stadium would be provided for them. This team has done everything, both on and off the field, that one could ever ask or hope for. The Dynamo have been a class act and have produced role models to inspire the youth and remind adults of a simpler, more innocent time when emotional bonds with teams and players were stronger.
Most of us who read this are adults who remember such bonds with teams when we were kids. And most of us have built up that bond again with the Dynamo as adults because of the class act that they have been on and off the field. And yet, the city and county have turned their back on our Men of Orange….again. Just unreal. No words can describe the disappointment and anger.
Its time to fire off the emails and phone calls to the county commissioners again.
El Franco Lee: 713-755-6111 (Janet_Duran@cp1.hctx.net)
Sylvia Garcia: 713-755-6220
sylvia.garcia@pct2.hctx.net
Steve Radack: 713-755-6306
(pct3@hctx.net)
Jerry Eversole: 713-755-6444
(JerryEversole@hcp4.net)
If our elected leaders aren’t able to help out the team in need, there are other people in other cities who are willing to treat this team the way they deserve to be treated.
Glenn, you told Sylvia early in this process that the one thing worse than a “no” is a “slow no”. This process has been rather slow to say the least.
And Sylvia may have other factors that need to be weighed in this process. But once those are solved, won’t she simply throw some other hurdles for the team? And then some more? And then some more? And then some more? Until the team gets so frustrated that they just give up?
It’s like a relationship where one person just keeps lying and putting off the other person. Sooner or later, that other person is going to sick of all this and move on elsewhere. And then, when the Dynamo pack up and move, Sylvia & El Franco will wondered how this happened and we will all look at them and make it clear that it was all their fault. It’s all their fault. It’s all their fault. It’s all their fault.
I still think that we have time to fix the situation with the county and the city. I don’t know for sure, but it would seem to me the same arguments that are being used to not build the stadium in Houston, goes doubley in other areas. Economically the Houston-Harris County region is in excellent health compared to many other areas of the country, including some being mentioned as a possible destination for the Dynamo. The very thing that is holding back these other cities is precisely the thing that will keep the Dynamo here until things really begin to improve nationally. But it is also wise to remember that this is the city that told the Houston Oilers to go and don’t let the door hit you in the butt when you leave. If they are willing to do that to a NFL football team, they could drag their feet forever.
As for telling the Dynamo how much they can charge for tickets, well that will never work on a long term basis. But that is the risk you run when you go to any government with your hand out. Sylvia, El Franco or a Barney Frank like clown, can tell you how to run your business, who you hire, how much you charge, how much you pay your employees and what you are going to do with the funds. Oliver Luck and crew are trying to handle this thing as delicately as possible and I think they will get the job done. But remember that the Lanier administration loved Uncle Drayton and Mayor White loves him some Les Alexander and Bob McNair so the deals got done. What we have as a public face is AEG. A big company and right now, big companies are what’s wrong with America according to the devisive, class warriors in Washington and in Sylvia’s office. Never mind the jobs, infrastructure, improvements and future benefits that we can’t begin to see or predict. Not loving large corporations that hire and retain millions of workers in this country, right now is chic, however hating them can be economic suicide. Let’s hope that this is not what’s happening in this situation. Because if it is, these politicians have become dogmatic zelots, not servants of all the people and that my friends is impossible to overcome outside of turning them out of office. I have seen nothing that makes me think that is even a possibility.
glen of course they are trying to hold it up as long as possible they have not recieved any bribes to grease the wheels. they are poloticians and they are ALL nothing but crooks, doesn\’t matter if it is good for our economy and business. Or the fact that their alma mater TSU is getting basically a free ride for 2.5 mill. come on that is a joke. step up dynamo big shots got to get the bribes in order to get your stadium just look at reliant, toyota center, enron woops I mean min. maid. can someone slap Mr. bradley eddie johnson really really bob really.
Anyone know where I can get a schedule of Glenn’s shows? I know they are Mondays, but I don;t know where they are located. PLEASE HELP!
Plain and simple elected officials. GET IT DONE!!! Or you can always GET OUT with our help naturally. This WILL bring JOBS (hope you remember what those are) to those of us who are struggling to make ends meet, it WILL bring MORE INCOME to the area, oh yeah here is a little something else it will improve: MORALE not only tto the Dynamo franchise but also to WE THE PEOPLE (who will be voting). Speaking on behalf of my entire soccer fan of a family which is on the large side and includes a good portion of voters in Lee’s and Garcia’s turf G-E-T I-T D-O-N-E. Remember that not only do you represent US but in a way also the city, and right now you are making the city look like TRASH. (Sorry had to throw in that last part for my Aunt how will not be voting for Lee next go around)…
If the Dynamo move due to this nonsense, I am through with this city.
I think this will get done. Too much has been done allready. What we have is posturing on the part of some city officials. I feel the Dynamo brass needs to sit down with these officials and remind them where we are, where we came from and where we are headed. The fact that a 20 million dollar loan has been apparently secured has to mean something. The bank would not have offered that kind of money unless they were assured that everyone was on board. We have major players here all with big money. We are not talking about no “band directors”, to borrow a phrase from the Godfather. These are savvy businessmen in a unsettling climate who want to build a stadium and put up 80% of the money. This is a win, win proposition for everyone concerned. The Dynamo benefit, TSU benefits, the City benefits by seeing the East End revitalized and of course additional revenue in the future. These two City officials will not stop this from happening. It may require some hand holding but it will get done! Patience people, Let Mr. Luck and company do their job. Go Orange.
Lee and Garcia continue to embarrass themselves and the city. I would expect nothing less from them than their continued incompetence on this issue. It’s a shame that the stadium has to go through them.
Politicians at every level (local, state, federal) are driving me nuts with their self-serving attitude while completely ignoring the wishes of their constituents. They seem to be of the mind set that they can do anything they want without regard for those that elected them. Our government is supposedly one of representation of the people by those we elect. I often wonder what happened to that concept.
let me be the first to suggest that U S soccer take this summers gold cup match at reliant and move it elsewhere. If the city will not support soccer then soccer shouldn\\\’t support the city. Think of the dollars that would cost the city, maybe the loss of millions of dollars in revenue would get the point across. Soccer= money for our city.
And mrvD Lahoya brings significant $\’s to this town with boxing matches, maybe he should make it known that he is taking his business elsewhere. He has been good to Houston – nothing like a slap in the face to say thankyou.
Sterling, Glenn’s show is always on mondays at 7pm on 709am the sports animal, if you are out of town you can catch it at 790thesportsanimal.com, I have yet to figure out how to listen to it from mlsnet.com. He sometimes changes the day or the time, but is very very seldom. As to where he host his show, always at the radio station, the show that took place at Niko Niko’s a week or two is something he does from time to time, but not always.
It almost seems to me like the Dynamo should just put up the other 20 million and take the land from the city as the city’s way of making good on their promise to build a stadium, that way they can charge what they want, have TSU come in only if they buy tickets to the Dynamo game, and if the want to use the stadium for games in the off season for the same amount of 40K, that’s what they pay right now, and they would be getting a new stadium, but only with chalked lines. Otherwise they should stay out of the stadium, is just not worth it. This is seriously starting to be the laughing stock of the league, the Home Depot Center was made to accomadate entertainment, but the team comes first, Pizza Hut was made to accomodate concerts and local soccer leagues and tournaments, but the team comes first, the Dynamo have to twist their arm around everything for this stadium. What is going to be said when teams come to play in our stadium and it has Football lines all over it, or the TSU logos are still up?
I really wish that Oscar would just put up the other 20 million and be done with it, get it done Oscar/AEG, don’t let this guys push you around, you know the city will fill the seats, show them how is done!
Why would De La Hoya and Oliver say the deal was so close? Why would Oliver say all he said Mon night? Either it’s true, and the politicos are flexing their muscles publicly, or the owners are using the media to negotiate. I belive that calls and letters will not work if they don’t want this. Ranting here like saying “give them the stadium, they deserve it” will not work. We know all this, and telling each other this is fruitless. We need to find out whats going on. Why all the “so close” and shovels in the fall games by Oliver that just messes with the fans if it’s not true. Does not look good guys.
Sorry to hear that certain politicians are putting a road block to new stadium.Living in a city that’s 500 miles to nearest MLS team,I can tell you it stinks. Would hate to see loyal Houston soccer fans screwed.
“Affordable tix for low income families” smacks of the political correctness of the day and typical political grandstanding
Jiminy Crickets. GD writes: “It seemed [TIF financing] was the final hurdle to clear in a tough political climate.”
Since when?? When was financing ever a hurdle? When was it ever a question? The answer is never. Other issues, that remain unaddressed, have always been the hurdles.
Glenn: Repeating lies as if they are facts just doesn’t help.
I think get financing in this environment is huge! If this were 2005 then it would mean nothing. Why they hell are these dirt bags acting like the don’t know aything about the process when many of us (from many groups) have spoken about this at their meeting many many times!!
Why the hell is she not going after her rich buddy’s teams for “affordable” tickets? The team is way cheap compared to the other trash “teams” and they have to make money!
I think we need to put some real pressure on these people. This will the second phase of the fan push. WHO ELSE WILL PUT ACTIONS TO WORDS HERE? It’s great to argue and express your frustration here but actions speak louder than word! I’m not here to defend one side or the other.
If you want to offer some time and energy to the this effort send me a message (here or go to bigsoccer or facebook).
The team and fans do not deserve this treatment. I don’t know if it’s the ownership jumping the gun or the commissioners lying for whatever reason but it really doesn’t matter who is to blame anymore. You think clubs like Seattle and Toronto get this kind treatment in their communities? They are the future of MLS and the way this clown show has gone on here in Houston I couldn’t blame the team for relocating. I am so disgusted I’m ready to relocate. We must make sure there are political repercussions for these two.
The language employed by Lee and Garcia is simply code for “I want a bribe — what are you willing to give”. Crooked politicians have ruined many cities in this country, and they now have their cross hairs on OUR city!
I am with you Kirk. That is a great idea if Houston doesn\’t put up take the Copo Oro away, and any possiblity of hosting a world cup game next time the world cup comes to the U.S.
I think it is time for Coach H to throw his hat in the political ring.
Yes, very, very frustrating. Seeing the pitch at Roberston last Sat night was the very last straw for me. The honeymoon (3 years now) with a second rate field and stadium services is over. I can\’t defend it any longer. Low class facilities for a high class team doesn\’t make sense.
I like the suggestion above that the current owners just pony up the remaining $ 20 mil and take all the political mickey mouse games and over reaching political demands out of the equation. Unfortunately, I don\’t think that will happen. So, as also suggested above, I encourage all the write to Mrs. Garcia and Mr. Lee. Make your comments strong but encouraging. Don\’t berate them, encourage them with examples of the great things this class organization, team, and fans can do for the city and their precincts in the future. The Dynamo will not remain if the stadium isn\’t built soon. We will be missing out on a great opportunity. I sent e mails to these folks last fall and received a response. I just sent another e mail to each this afternoon and encourage you to do the same.
How about just forget the County and their participation in the TIRZ in favor of an upfront $10 million naming rights payment from BBVA-Compass.
BBVA Stadium sounds good to me.