Renovation of a stadium in Houston, Texas. Completed plans call for the renovation of a stadium.

https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/houston-texas/article/nrg-stadium-updates-19941122.php Nov 25, 2024 NRG Stadium will receive much-needed upgrades and repairs after years of neglect ahead of what will be an extremely busy two years of sporting events. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation approved several updates during its recent board meeting, including $35 million for a roof replacement and updated sound system and video boards. The renovations also include painting the 300-level club and 400-level upper suites walls and hallways, new paint for the East and West VIP lobbies, new floors for several levels, and replacing the sliding ramp doors, as first reported by the Houston Business Journal. "It's moving the ball forward. It doesn't fix the whole problem but it does go a long way towards getting some of the things done that really need to happen," said Ryan Walsh, outgoing executive director and CEO of HCSCC at the Nov. 20 board meeting. At this time, Walsh is no longer part of the board, as he takes over the role of executive director and CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. An investigation by the Houston Chronicle of NRG Stadium saw that years of neglect necessitated approximately $264 million in upgrades, roughly five times the stadium's annual operating budget for replacements and repairs. The study, which was obtained by a records request, was commissioned by the county and authored by design firm PGAL five years ago. It showed that the roof had cracked in multiple spots, leading to possible leaks. It also recommended replacing the whole roof in the next two to four years. But these repairs, while the most pressing, might just be the beginning for the 22-year-old home of the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The arena is also slated to host the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final and seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Per the Chronicle's investigation, larger maintenance issues loom, with a new assessment expected to be released soon showing that even more maintenance issues have cropped up since 2019. Ths roof at NRG is leaking? a security person tells @lainehiggins17 that is indeed a first in her 4 years here. Weather in Houston has been terrible today. Texans GM Nick Caserio walked by and was similarly puzzled. pic.twitter.com/paJTvR06aR -- Richard??Johnson (@RJ_cfb) January 8, 2024 Harris County--which owns the land the stadium is on--issued bonds to fund the $35 million upgrades. However, upper level upgrades and floor replacements are being paid for by the HCSCC's earmarking of $2 million for these projects. The video board replacement is scheduled to take place between April 2025 and July 2025. The roof construction has already started, with a new fabric roof installed in October. The retractable roof will be complete before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ______________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/11/25/nrg-stadium-upgrades-video-boards-premium-levels.html NRG Stadium to get new endzone video boards, various upgrades in premium levels NRG Park Genericexpand The home of the Houston Texans and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will soon receive various upgrades. Courtney Sandifer Chandler France By Chandler France – Reporter, Houston Business Journal Nov 25, 2024 Listen to this article 5 min The home of the Houston Texans and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will soon receive various upgrades. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. — the landlord for NRG Park — approved a slew of projects for NRG Stadium during its board meeting on Nov. 20. The largest upgrade is for the replacement of the venue’s endzone video boards. The organization also approved $1.56 million in other improvements, most of which will impact the stadium’s premium spaces. The improvements come as NRG Stadium, now over two decades old, continues to age while other NFL venues have received hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations and new multibillion-dollar stadiums are built. HCSCC, the Texans and RodeoHouston are collaborating on a redevelopment of the entirety of NRG Park as the leases for the tenants approach their expiration. HCSCC has approved multiple design and facilities assessment studies this year, including one focused on the Astrodome approved Nov. 20. The HCSCC approved a letter of intent with Mitsubishi Electric during the Nov. 20 board meeting to purchase the parts for the new video boards at a cost of $9.71 million. The current screens were installed in 2013 and are “at their end of life,” according to a document included in the board book. Additionally, essential parts for the operation of the current boards have been discontinued. During the meeting, the current video boards were described as obsolete and are being held up by “the electronic equivalent of Band-Aids.” NRG Park worked with Dallas-based design and consulting firm WJHW to review options for the video board replacement. The assessment determined that Mitsubishi could provide a like-for-like replacement with its current technology, as well as maintain compatibility with NRG Stadium’s current structural support system and power distribution. The video board replacement is scheduled to take place between April 2025 and July 2025 — after RodeoHouston’s events and before the Texans’ 2025 season. It’s unclear whether the project will affect the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which is set to hold its final at NRG Stadium on July 6, 2025. Harris County is paying for the cost of the video board replacement. Meanwhile, the other improvements for NRG Stadium include painting for the 300-level club and 400-level upper suites walls and hallways; painting for the East and West VIP lobbies, lower suite walls and hallways; replacing the 300-level club carpet with vinyl strip wood luxury tiling; and replacing the 200-, 300- and 400-level restroom tiles with vinyl flooring. Additionally, the sliding ramp doors on the 100, 300 and 500 levels will be replaced. The total costs for these upgrades are over $1.56 million. The HCSCC earmarked a total of $2 million for the projects as contingency for additional costs or projects. Leah Mastaglio, assistant general manager at NRG Park, said during the Nov. 20 meeting that the organization had extra funding it could use to complete additional projects. The projects HCSCC selected are a result of conversations with the tenants regarding what would be the most impactful for both guests and staff, Mastaglio said. “It’s moving the ball forward. It doesn’t fix the whole problem but it does go a long way towards getting some things done that really need to happen,” Ryan Walsh — whose last board meeting as executive director and CEO of HCSCC was Nov. 20 — said during the meeting. HCSCC also approved multiple items related to the fabric roof replacement at NRG Stadium. During the Nov. 20 meeting, HCSCC approved the installation of an external fall arrest system for the safety of the contractors. The installation will cost $502,360. The organization also approved a $960,000 contract with Houston-based engineering firm Walter P Moore for the construction administration phase of the project from August-December 2026. HCSCC approved a $1.81 purchase of the materials for the complete replacement in August, while the organization approved a $16.3 million contract with Birdair to install the new fabric roof in October, according to board meeting minutes. Construction will take place in 2025 and 2026, with the retractable roof portion of the project set to be completed prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Three panels were replaced at the venue earlier this year after it sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl in July, but a complete replacement of the roof had been planned prior to that. Other renovations to the venue are anticipated to be completed prior to the 2026 World Cup. That includes the widening of the field — expected to be completed in summer 2025 — and installation of the grass pitch, which will occur just a couple of months before the tournament. ___________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/11/21/harris-county-astrodome-study-approved.html A study has been approved to explore future possibilities for the Astrodome. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. approved the study during its board of directors meeting on Nov. 20 — the last for outgoing CEO and Executive Director Ryan Walsh, who now joins the Harris County Houston Sports Authority. HCSCC is working with Houston-based architecture firm Kirksey Architecture to provide options for the future of the Astrodome and a comprehensive cost analysis, the organization wrote in a Nov. 21 press release. The study comes just a week after the Astrodome Conservancy, the nonprofit organization championing the landmark, released its $1 billion vision for the potential redevelopment of the now-vacant structure. The vision — which would create hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail space, a new arena and four buildings within the Astrodome — received pushback from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Additionally, HCSCC, RodeoHouston and the Houston Texans continue to master plan for the future of the entire 350-acre NRG Park. That includes multiple design studies approved earlier this year for NRG Stadium, NRG Center and NRG Arena. "The Astrodome has been a symbol of Houston's innovation and community pride for decades, since 1965," HCSCC Chairman James Dixon said in the press release. "The data gained from the study will provide us with critical information as we work to determine the most viable path forward, ensuring NRG Park continues to meet the needs of its stakeholders and the public for now, and for the future." The study will provide two "crucial" sets of information. The first scenario is to estimate the cost of restoring the venue to "basic operational functionality." According to Kirksey's proposal included in the Nov. 20 HCSCC board book, that includes providing full public access to all levels of the Astrodome, including seating, concessions and public restrooms on each concourse. The press release added that this first scenario "does not include full historic preservation or upgrades to meet modern venue standards." The second scenario is to determine the cost of demolishing the structure. Kirksey's proposal includes three different options in which the Astrodome is demolished to make way for surface parking and other uses. One option includes storage space below the parking, while another includes an underground vault for storm water detention. Scenario 1 will take approximately 28 weeks to study, while the three options for Scenario 2 will take about 12 weeks to study, Kirksey's proposal shows. If the studies begin in early January, they would be completed by mid-July and the end of March, respectively. The study is not to exceed a cost of $350,000, HCSCC said. Notably, the HCSCC and Kirksey will not study a comprehensive redevelopment of the structure as the Astrodome Conservancy proposed. That $1 billion vision would cost Harris County $250 million, while the project is eligible for around $400 million in tax credits, leaving $350 million in costs to private investors, the nonprofit previously said. Astrodome Conservancy Executive Director Beth Wiedower Jackson said the organization released the vision "at the urging of Harris County." "The Astrodome must be considered in the future of NRG Park,” Wiedower Jackson said at the Nov. 20 board meeting. “The conservancy is the only voice speaking out on behalf of the people and Harris County (for the Astrodome). We will continue to fight for the future of this landmark.” Following Wiedower Jackson's comments, Dixon responded that the Astrodome is a "serious concern" for the HCSCC. The future of the venue is part of the ongoing conversations within the organization as it works with NRG Park's tenants to plan for the future, he added. "I don’t think that it’s quite accurate to say that the conservancy is the only voice speaking on behalf of the Astrodome," Dixon said at the meeting. "There are other voices. We are speaking about it, and it is a conversation.” ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.spartnerships.com/newsletter/2024/tgi-11-15-2024/texas-government-insider-11-15-2024.html Billion-dollar plan to revive iconic Astrodome announced The Astrodome, an iconic stadium landmark that’s been largely abandoned since 2009 – may be revitalized through a $1 billion redevelopment plan. The Astrodome Conservancy, a nonprofit overseeing the site’s refurbishment, unveiled its vision for the facility through a Nov. 13 news release. The nonprofit, in partnership with an architecture firm, conceptualized 450,000-square-feet of revenue-generating space surrounded by restaurants, retail, office and commercial space and future mixed-use development. The facility’s redevelopment will feature the installation of an updated flexible arena space dedicated to hosting events and entertainment. The dome would contain four state-of-the-art buildings in addition to parking, storage, service areas and animal handling facilities beneath the ground floor. To preserve the landmark’s legacy, the nonprofit will integrate a cultural museum into the facility’s design. Plans also call for a hotel and dedicated tenant areas. Designs include a dynamic boulevard cutting through the venue, connecting the Astrodome with neighboring facilities within NRG Park. The redevelopers plan to incorporate and restore features significant to the facility’s iconic image, making an effort to retain the stadium’s historic nature. The nonprofit anticipates fostering public-private partnerships (P3), focusing on community spaces and sustainability as the project advances. The Astrodome is located in NRG Park, a 350-acre development that includes the NRG Stadium, Center and Arena. The other park tenants are currently negotiating future lease contracts in anticipation of major renovations and upgrades. The nonprofit's Astrodome vision will be proposed as a component of the park’s holistic master plan, and once fully approved will be factored into future lease negotiations. -------------------------------------------------- https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/11/15/houston-sports-authority-leadership-transitions.html The Harris County Houston Sports Authority has entered a new phase after replacing two of its longtime leaders. The HCHSA — established in 1997 to finance, build and manage the debt for each of Houston’s professional sports venues — fired 18-year CEO Janis Burke on Oct. 11, while Chairman J. Kent Friedman resigned on Oct. 31 after serving on the board since 2003. The pair were replaced by CEO Ryan Walsh, who was named to the position on Nov. 15, and Chairman Juan Garcia, who was officially appointed to the position Nov. 6. The transitions came after Houston Mayor John Whitmire — who authored the Texas state legislation that established the HCHSA — called for a “reorganization” of the Houston Sports Authority. During a press conference before Burke’s firing, he said the organization has strayed from its core mission, which he said is to “finance, build and maintain sports venues.” That comment was met by criticism from Friedman, who said that maintaining the stadiums are the teams' responsibility, not the HCHSA’s. Following a special HCHSA board meeting on Nov. 15, both Walsh and Garcia said that maintaining the city’s professional sports venues — particularly Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and NRG Stadium — is one of their priorities, along with preparing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The organization will begin strategizing a plan for the venues “immediately,” Garcia said. The facilities were also a key point of discussion between Walsh and Garcia during the hiring process, Garcia added. “It’s been loud and clear — even in the short time period that I’ve been here — by the Rockets, the Astros, the Texans and the (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) that we have some work to do, and that’s where we’re going to get to work,” Garcia said. “Ryan’s going to make sure that we do that, and me and the rest of the board are committed to fulfilling that mission.” The Sports Authority hasn’t identified specific renovations to be made at the venues, but it is focused on doing whatever needs to be done to attract and keep Houston’s professional sports teams, Garcia said. Earlier this year, HCHSA approved facilities assessments for Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, which will reveal the condition of the venues. Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. — NRG Park’s landlord — is also conducting an assessment of NRG Park. “We have to adapt the facilities to make sure that we are the best,” Garcia said. “It’s not just for the sports facilities; we’re attracting businesses — along with Houston First — that count on our sports facilities. We need to … get it there in the next few years.” The Sports Authority is also focused on extending the current lease agreements for the facilities with Houston’s professional teams, Garcia said. While the Astros' lease at Minute Maid Park lasts through 2050, the Texans’ lease at NRG Stadium ends in 2031, and the Rockets’ lease for Toyota Center expires following the 2032-33 season. Additionally, RodeoHouston’s lease at NRG Park ends in 2032. Walsh, who previously served as the executive director and CEO of the HCSCC, leaves his previous organization in the midst of ongoing lease negotiations between the Texans, RodeoHouston and Harris County. HCSCC Chairman James Dixon II said the organization will move quickly to name Walsh’s successor by the end of the year. When asked whether the HCSCC will seek an internal or external hire, he said, “We’re looking for the best person.” As Walsh begins his new role, he will remain available to the Sports & Convention Corp. to help with the leadership transition, he said. Walsh is “still figuring out” how involved he and HCHSA will be in the lease negotiations in his new capacity. “I think the Authority has a role in (those negotiations),” Walsh said. “I think it’ll be up to Harris County and the tenants to see how big of a role that will be.” Dixon said he thinks the transition will have a positive impact on negotiations since the organization’s new CEO will be able to collaborate with Walsh during the transition period. The key stakeholders in the negotiations are “making progress” and “very pleased with the state of affairs at this point,” Dixon said. Dixon added that “all the necessary stakeholders are at the table” working toward a shared vision, adding that there needs to be collaboration rather than an us-versus-them mentality. The comment comes after the Astrodome Conservancy unveiled a $1 billion vision to transform the Astrodome, which was met with pushback from RodeoHouston and the Sports & Convention Corp. Part of the reason the nonprofit unveiled the plan was to gain a seat at the table, Executive Director Beth Wiedower Jackson had said. “What we’re preaching is we want to create win-wins for all stakeholders,” Dixon said. “It’s not me versus you; it’s all of us rising together. We will not tolerate dissonance. It’s important for the city and the county that we all work together.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/11/15/houston-sports-authority-ceo-ryan-walsh.html Additionally, a facilities assessment study is being conducted for Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center to determine the condition of the two downtown stadiums, which are both over 20 years old. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/11/13/astrodome-revelopment-plan-receives-pushback.html A new vision to reimagine the Astrodome was released on Nov. 13, but the plan did not receive support from key stakeholders at NRG Park. The Astrodome Conservancy, the nonprofit organization championing the iconic landmark, released a redevelopment vision for the stadium that includes 450,000 square feet of revenue-generating space, a 10,000-seat arena and a mixed-use district surrounding NRG Park. The project would come with a $1 billion price tag, but the organization presented options to fund the redevelopment. The arena — which would replace the "functionally obsolete” NRG Arena — would come at a cost of $250 million for Harris County, though the Astrodome Conservancy argued that it would save county taxpayers $200 million. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. — NRG Park's landlord — approved a design study earlier this year for a new arena, which the Astrodome Conservancy said could cost $350 million. Along with a projected cost of $100 million to demolish the Astrodome, Harris County would be on the hook for $450 million in that scenario. The $750 million in commercial renovations would be funded through state and federal tax credits and private investment, the Astrodome Conservancy said. The Astrodome is eligible for around $400 million in tax credits, leaving $350 million in costs to private investors. The organization said it already has that private funding lined up. “In terms of financing, we’re ready to roll today,” Astrodome Conservancy Executive Director Beth Wiedower Jackson said during a media scrum following a Nov. 13 press conference. “Those private dollars can be at the table this afternoon if need be.” Previous plans to redevelop the Astrodome have failed, including a $217 million bond proposal that was rejected by Harris County voters in 2013 and a $105 million proposal in 2018 that was tabled when former Harris County Judge Ed Emmitt lost his reelection bid to Lina Hidalgo. However, Wiedower Jackson argued the new plan would succeed this time because of the funding sources already lined up and the timing with the ongoing lease negotiations at NRG Park. If approved, construction would take between three to five years, Astrodome Conservancy Chairman Phoebe Tudor said. Because most of the work is inside of the Astrodome, construction would not affect ongoing activities around NRG Park, she said. Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum — whose council district includes NRG Park — both released statements regarding the proposed plan. Briones thanked the Astrodome Conservancy “for its work to reimagine this beloved space,” adding she “looks forward to the unveiling of Vision: Astrodome and to exploring innovative, sustainable paths forward.” Castex-Tatum said in a statement that she is “proud to support the revitalization of the Astrodome.” Key stakeholders oppose Astrodome redevelopment plan However, the plan was missing the support of the key stakeholders at NRG Park: HCSCC, the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In fact, RodeoHouston is directly opposed to the plan put forth by the Astrodome Conservancy. The conservancy brought the plans to RodeoHouston about a year ago, at which point the organization “clearly” stated its concerns and lack of support, RodeoHouston President and CEO Chris Boleman told the Houston Business Journal. Boleman said that the new arena would not be able to operationally support RodeoHouston's equestrian events as proposed. Additionally, and more importantly, he said RodeoHouston doesn’t support the plan because it doesn’t take into account the broader redevelopment needs at NRG Park. “This is a much bigger problem at NRG Park than the Astrodome. It’s not isolated to the Astrodome, and quite frankly, we don’t use the Astrodome. And we know that the other three facilities that we do use, we have to address the problems that are there,” Boleman told HBJ. “It’s a $1 billion problem for which (the Astrodome Conservancy) showed ways for it to be solved, but it’s much bigger than a $1 billion problem.” The most frustrating part of the Astrodome Conservancy’s plan for Boleman is that it takes away from the progress RodeoHouston, the Texans, HCSCC and Harris County are making on the planning for the future of NRG Park. He described the unveiling of the vision as a distraction from those efforts. Boleman added that RodeoHouston is “very close” to starting to draft an extension of its lease for NRG Park, which is set to expire in 2032. “The problem with something like [the conservancy revealing its plans] today is that it throws off the bigger vision and the plan for here,” Boleman said. “We are further along than we’ve ever been.” In a statement, the HCSCC said it respects the efforts of the Astrodome Conservancy but expressed similar concerns about the proposed redevelopment plan. The organization said it is in the process of obtaining data to determine the future of the entirety of the 350-acre NRG Park. To that end, the organization approved a facilities assessment study for the development as well as design studies for NRG Stadium and NRG Center earlier this year. “Over the last few years, we have seen several concepts that, while thought-provoking, haven’t resulted in viable funding and maintenance solutions,” HCSCC Chairman Bishop James Dixon said in the statement. “We are currently working with Harris County and a team of industry-leading experts to plan for the future of NRG Park. The solution for the Astrodome must be decided within that context.” The Houston Texans declined to comment for this story. Can Astrodome redevelopment move forward without stakeholder support? In response to questions regarding the lack of support from key NRG Park stakeholders and whether that affects the viability of the project, both Wiedower Jackson and Tudor expressed confidence that the plan could move forward without that support. Instead, the nonprofit pointed to strong public support from its public engagement effort in 2021 and the statements from public officials. “We think that it would be wonderful to have Rodeo back in the Astrodome where it started, but this development is not relying on having the Rodeo choose to go back into the Astrodome,” Tudor said. “This is a standalone entertainment complex. It doesn’t depend on the Rodeo.” Wiedower Jackson later said: “If those tenants choose not to play a role in this endeavor, then we can prove that it can move forward and be successful. But we feel the best use would be to bring the Rodeo home to the Dome, and I think once the tenants and the Sports Corporation see some of this information that we have worked so hard on and raised and invested private dollars in over the last several years, it is a very compelling case.” Wiedower Jackson added that the Astrodome Conservancy is open to making accommodations to its plan, saying that the vision is intended as a conversation starter to bring the organization to the table as NRG Park lease negotiations continue. She also said that she “acknowledges and respects" that any project at the Astrodome would sit within the broader context of redevelopment planning for the area. The Astrodome Conservancy should be part of that process, she argued. However, Boleman said he was surprised at the Astrodome Conservancy’s comments regarding how the project could move forward without RodeoHouston’s support. “As much as the Rodeo has done for this community — and specifically as the longest serving tenant at the park — and the investment that we have made in this park and in this community and to the youth of Texas, that comment is quite surprising,” Boleman said. Could the Astrodome be demolished? There is a "real threat" to the future of the Astrodome if a redevelopment plan does not move forward, Tudor said: demolition. Tudor said she is very concerned about the future of the Astrodome, adding that the time is now to complete a project. She also said she has heard the HLSR Community Coalition — the 501(c)(4) lobbying organization affiliated with RodeoHouston that was established earlier this year — intends to lobby the Texas Legislature to remove the historic protection from the stadium, which would make it easier for it to be torn down. RodeoHouston has not engaged in conversations to demolish the Astrodome, Boleman said, nor has the Community Coalition. “The organization plans to advocate for legislation that impacts the future of agriculture and livestock industries, educate policymakers about initiatives that could impact the future of the Rodeo, and advocate for future funding at NRG Park,” the Community Coalition said in a statement. “The HLSR Community Coalition is not engaging in any conversations related to the Astrodome.” __________________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/11/13/astrodome-conservancy-reveals-redevelopment-vision.html Restaurants, retail, office and commercial space; a new event floor; and a mixed-used district are all part of a new vision for the redevelopment of the vacant Astrodome stadium. The Astrodome Conservancy, the nonprofit organization established in 2016 to champion the landmark, is unveiling “Vision: Astrodome” on Nov. 13 to address the potential future of the venue. The new redevelopment design creates 450,000 square feet of revenue-generating space and four state-of-the-art buildings inside the stadium. Additional elements of the design include a boulevard connecting NRG Stadium, the Astrodome and NRG Center; a mixed-use district surrounding NRG Park; and additional parking, storage, service and animal-handling facilities. The designs were created by San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler, which the Astrodome Conservancy engaged with starting in 2023. Beth Wiedower Jackson, executive director of the Astrodome Conservancy, previously said the designs are not a redevelopment plan but a set of guiding principles for what the future of the venue might look like. “The Conservancy is in the unique position to take the lead on this issue because we understand the opportunities, challenges, advantages, and encumbrances facing the iconic Astrodome better than any other entity,” Wiedower Jackson said in a press release. “We aim to bring Harris County, the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the public together to find a solution that benefits all and ensures a bright future for our beloved landmark Astrodome.” The new vision comes as lease negotiations continue at NRG Park, the 350-acre development that includes NRG Stadium, NRG Center, NRG Arena and the Astrodome. The leases for the Houston Texans and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — the two tenants at NRG Park — end in 2031 and 2032, respectively, with both entities eyeing major improvements to their facilities. Meanwhile, the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. — NRG Park’s landlord — has approved multiple design studies this year to begin planning for renovations. Potential improvements at NRG Park include upgrades to NRG Stadium akin to stadium trends across the NFL and a new NRG Arena to replace the current venue. As for the Astrodome, the Astrodome Conservancy commissioned a feasibility study for the economic and operational viability of the redevelopment concept, including identifying private and nontraditional funding sources for the potential project. Wiedower-Jackson previously said a redevelopment of the Astrodome would likely be funded through a public-private partnership. Additionally, she said in August that the public investment for such a project could be between $100 million and $120 million. “The Astrodome can and should be the heartbeat of a new, global entertainment destination at NRG Park,” said Judy Nyquist, a founding board member of the Astrodome Conservancy. “It will serve as an exciting catalyst for future development in and around the park.” The vision received endorsements from multiple city officials, including Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum and Houston City Council members Sallie Alcorn and Abbie Kamin. Notably absent from the list of endorsements provided by the Astrodome Conservancy were the three key stakeholders at NRG Park: HCSCC, the Texans and RodeoHouston. _________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/10/07/minute-maid-park-toyota-center-facilities-studies.html Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center are joining the list of Houston stadiums undergoing facilities assessments. The Harris County Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) selected Tennessee-based public facility consultant Venue Solutions Group to perform consulting services for conditions assessments of the two downtown Houston stadiums. The resolution, which was approved Oct. 7, comes as both venues reach over 20 years in age and as HCHSA prepares to issue new bonds in the coming years to fund improvements at the stadiums. “Both the Astros and the Rockets are required to maintain the stadiums, and as far as we know, they’re doing a great job,” HCHSA Chairman J. Kent Friedman told the Houston Business Journal. “It’s not really a reflection on them; we’re just doing our own due diligence to assess what the situation is at each of those two stadiums.” At the board meeting, HCHSA also approved the issuance of new revenue-refunding bonds, which will end up saving the organization around $60 million. Houston City Council approved the bonds on Oct. 2. Harris County Commissioners Court will also need to approve the bonds before they are issued. A resolution for the bonds is on the Commissioners Court's Oct. 8 agenda. The revenue-refunding bonds also will increase HCHSA’s bonding capacity as the organization plans to issue new bonds in late 2026 or early 2027. Those funds will be used to address issues discovered through the facilities assessments, Friedman said. HCHSA — the landlord for both Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center — expects that the report will be completed within three to four months, Friedman said. The Houston Astros and Houston Rockets are responsible for maintenance and capital repairs at Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, respectively, per their lease agreements. The Astros contribute $2.5 million annually to an asset renewal and replacement fund, which it can use to fund repairs. The Rockets contribute $1.5 million to a maintenance fund and $1.6 million to a capital fund annually. HCHSA recently approved repairs for both venues. The Astros will remodel Minute Maid Park's warehouse cooler system, replace the venue's bowl audio speakers and replace the windows at Union Station. Meanwhile, the Rockets will replace the roof at Toyota Center. Meanwhile, the Harris County Sports and Convention Corp., the landlord for NRG Park, is also working with Venue Solutions Group for facilities assessments at the 350-acre development home to NRG Stadium, NRG Center, NRG Arena and the Astrodome. The organization has also approved various design studies for NRG Stadium and NRG Center as Harris County, the Houston Texans and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo plan for the redevelopment of NRG Park. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/10/04/nrg-park-hurricane-beryl-repair-costs.html By far the largest expense was the replacement of three roof panels at NRG Stadium. HCSCC paid Dallas-based Enclos Tensile Structures $577,995 for replacement fabric and $1.92 million for installation, according to the documents. The organization also paid Houston-based engineering firm Walter P Moore $85,000 for a roof assessment and repair coordination. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/10/03/houston-sports-authority-revenue-refunding-bonds.html The Harris County Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) will issue new bonds after gaining approval from city council. Houston City Council approved a resolution Oct. 2 for HCHSA to issue new revenue-refunding bonds. The move will allow the organization to call in outstanding bonds and replace them with new bonds with lower interest rates, HCHSA Chairman J. Kent Friedman said. HCHSA expects to refinance $353 million of bonds, which will save the organization about $60 million, according to Friedman. In addition to lowering HCHSA’s debt service, the revenue-refunding bonds will increase the organization's bonding capacity and set the stage to fund future stadium renovations, Friedman said. He expects that the organization will issue new bonds in late 2026 or early 2027. The value of those potential bonds is speculative at this point, Friedman said, but the organization has been using $150 million as an internal estimate thus far. The revenue-refunding bonds come as Minute Maid Park, NRG Stadium and Toyota Center are all at least 20 years old and in need of significant improvements. Additionally, leases for two of the venues are approaching their expirations. The Houston Texans' and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's leases at NRG Park end in 2031 and 2032, respectively, while the Houston Rockets' lease for Toyota Center expires after the 2032-33 NBA season. Lease negotiations and redevelopment planning are ongoing between Harris County, the Texans and RodeoHouston. Meanwhile, in 2018, the Houston Astros extended their lease for Minute Maid Park through 2050. While HCHSA is the landlord for Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center — and thus has the obligation to fund renovations at the venues, per the lease agreements — the Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. oversees NRG Park. Nevertheless, the development will still benefit from any new bonds HCHSA issues. When the new bonds are issued, the proceeds will be split evenly between Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and NRG Stadium to help fund improvement projects at the venues. HCSCC has approved multiple agreements for consulting services and design studies for various facilities at NRG Park this year as lease conversations continue. Although the Astros and Rockets have made their own investments into their facilities, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center have not undergone significant renovation projects funded in part by HCHSA — even though both lease agreements stipulate such renovations to maintain the first-class status of the venues. HCHSA has funded smaller repair and maintenance projects, though, such as new bowl audio speakers at Minute Maid Park and a new roof at Toyota Center. Toyota Center’s original lease stated that HCHSA would fund renovations to the arena prior to the expiration of the 15th year of the term “to comply with the then-existing standards for a state of the art arena of a comparable size and location.” A 2014 amendment to the lease removed that section and amended it. The lease now reads that if HCHSA refinances any debt, bonds or other obligations, it will use “commercially reasonable good faith efforts” to use a portion of those proceeds for arena improvements. Meanwhile, the 2018 amended Minute Maid Park lease states that additional funding is needed to keep the ballpark in “first-class" condition, which is defined as “being in compliance with all applicable governmental rules and being in good condition and repair.” The agreement states that HCHSA will obtain that additional funding by Dec. 31, 2030, by lobbying for the increase of the maximum rates of short-term vehicle rental, hotel occupancy and combined hotel occupancy taxes and issuing new debt secured by the new tax structure or through issuing new bonds with the current tax structure. If HCHSA fails to obtain additional funding prior to Dec. 31, 2030, the Astros have the option to terminate their lease effective March 31, 2035, according to the 2018 document. This is the third time the HCHSA has issued revenue-refunding bonds. The organization first did so in 2014 in order to reduce debt service and fund two settlement agreements with its bond insurer at the time. The bonds resulted in net present value savings of $99.7 million, according to a September 2020 city presentation. HCHSA sought revenue-refunding bonds again in 2020 in response to decreased tax revenues due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The organization issued $125 million in bonds to create cash flow and debt service relief through 2024, according to the 2020 presentation. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation at NRG Park (HCSCC) in Harris County is planning to issue competitive sealed proposal (CSP) documents. CSP- NRG Park Sound System Replacement 2024: Complete replacement of the NRG Stadium seating bowl sound system.