This came from under the radar. In fact it seems few even realize it right now with Christmas going on.
Last night Channel 26 broke the news that County Commissioners SYLVIA GARCIA and EL FRANCO LEE have tentatively agreed to contribute $10 million dollars in public money to the downtown stadium project. Now this is all provisional on the team and city agreeing to certain conditions.
Now check these conditions out closely:
*The $10 million dollars would be used towards public amenities and infrastructure serving the stadium (sewer lines, parking, trees etc.) and not the physical structure itself. Now the Dynamo had made it clear prior that they wanted the ten million to go towards the stadium itself.
* Texas Southern University will be allowed to play home football games at the stadium.
* Fifteen percent of the seats will never be sold for more than the average movie ticket price.
(“We want to make sure that that’s included in the agreement so we won’t see a situation where the stadium is built and they focus on suites or club suites and their prices double or triple in the first few years,” said Sylvia Garcia)
* If Harris County partners with Houston on the East Downtown TIRZ, each government would would agree to forgo $10 million of its share of the property taxes from the area to help pay for the stadium.
More meetings and negotiation will occur but this is a huge breakthrough into what could be a win-win for all involved. As long as both Garcia and Lee want to participate in the TIRZ, one would assume that the whole court would go along. Most likely Garcia and Lee would not have moved forward without the feeling that this is supported yet their still are a number of nebulous areas in the demands. Good lawyers and lots of poring over this issues is in store in the future. Still for now this is a postive.
This is a win for soccer fans and Dynamo fans who have worked hard to show officials the importance of this stadium and how it can benefit all involved. There are still steps and the process to go through but this is a huge development. Raise a glass to your hard efforts tonite!!!!! Since July it has seemed that Sylvia Garcia and El Franco Lee were not even aware of this issue. Alot of awareness has been created by all in a short amount of time from grass roots efforts from Homeforthedynamo.com, Dynamo Planet and those in all the supporters groups that have attended the rally and have appeared in front of city council. Also the efforts from all the chambers of commerce groups in the East End has to have been impactful. Lots of efforts and groups coming together is the story here.
When the AEG/DYNAMO and the city agree to the deal it could be submitted for approval by the County Commissioners court as early as January 13th according to the Houston Chronicle.
For more on the stadium issue go to Houstonchronicle.com
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Hooray!!!!
Hurray!!! I was dumbfounded by the story appearing in the paper today! Merry Christmas! At least they are talking about it as a real negotiation of details, not IF there is a stadium!! I am elated! That said…it is WAY beyond “about time”. So, how long does it take to build a soccer stadium? Anyone have an idea? I need to circle my calendar! Happy New Year, Dynamo fans! Way to go, Glenn, for ALL your huge efforts on behalf of the Dynamo and all us fans. You have been really important in getting news/info out in public and rallying the troops, so to speak. You have my deep appreciation.
Christmas is here indeed! Merry Christmas,Glenn!
merry christmas dynamo-ites!!! best news of the day…
(6) At the end of the lease to the Dynamo, the stadium will be jointly owned by the county and the city and at any time both can give their ownership interests to the Harris
County-Houston Sports Authority.
-whats that mean?
Thanks Glenn for your work
It’s a great day to be a Dynamo fan
Merry X-Mas
Thanks to you as well for everything you’ve done, Glenn!
‘Twas the night before christmas, when all through the league.
Not one club was stirring. Not even DC.
The stadiums were empty. The terraces bare
In hopes that next season new players would be here.
Supporters were resting, snug in their beds
While rumors of DPs danced in their heads
Puyol, Henry, Landin and Ahn,
Borghetti for Chivas and Becks back from Milan.
And a higher league minimum and salary cap.
While Don Garber begins his long winter’s nap.
When suddenly there was a loud knock on our door
At Rumors HQ, we’ve been here before.
But this time it’s different for it was Jolly Saint Nick!
He only had one question. We said, “Make it quick.”
“What shall I give this league and their fans?
“For Christmas?”, we asked and stared at his hands.
When what to our wandering eyes should appear?
But a long list of names of cities here and there.
“I need to give something to all on this list.”
Santa Klaus said as he thrust out his wrist.
We looked the list over, and with quickness of thought
Said, “We know just what everyone on this list wants.”
For Kansas City, a speedy ground breaking,
at Bannister Mall, a vast undertaking.
For New York a midfielder a true number 10.
For Chivas, a very well loved Mexican.
For LA a team balanced bottom to top.
For Dallas, Ronaldinho to fill their stadium up.
For Seattle, good luck, their off to a fine start.
For Colorado an owner who cares at with his heart.
For New England a stadium in Boston proper.
For Toronto a DP striker better than the flopper.
For DC a new stadium inside the town.
For Chicago an “EL” stop built near their ground.
For San Jose, the fountain of youth for their skillful Briton.
For Salt Lake a striker who kicks most of them in.
For Houston a stadium, built for their great team.
“You forgot Columbus!” Santa angrily screamed
“For Columbus, what can you give them? They have everything.”
He pondered our answer and thought for a minute.
“I know just the thing for the team with no limits.”
“I will make sure they win their international competition”
“I will give them extra legs and better field of vision.”
“I’ll make sure that no more players are poached.”
“And give the best soccer mind to their coach.”
And with that he laughed and shook like jelly.
We could not help see the resemblance to Sigi’s belly.
A holiday MLS poem from MLSR…
And just as we looked closer, he sprang to his sleigh.
“Hey wait Santa!!!” we shouted as he ran away
But we heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!!”
Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you.
another christmas present people…well at least for me…i dunno how many other John Spencer fans are there…but he signed a two year extension with the dynamo. and Oh Captain, My Captain Wade Barrett is gonna be back next season. read it on the chron.com…
http://blogs.chron.com/soccer/archives/2008/12/dynamo_sign_spe.html
Glenn,
You know, this will ruin my dreams of running for County Commissioner against Sylvia Garcia. That being said, this is incredible day for Dynamo fans. Stadium news, Spencer and Barret re-upping with the team, and the discovery claims on the two defenders. I thank Hainault will be a great addition if we can add him to the roster.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Coach H
Santa’s suit is now orange! Merry Christmas to all and congratulations to all the fans. And thanks for all your fine work Glenn as a community organizer!
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