Talking tourism From the cover
1 Astrodome The Astrodome Conservancy revealed plans for a $1 billion development in November called “Vision Astrodome” that would feature four buildings inside the arena. The new revitalization plans include: • Creating 450,000 square feet of revenue-generating space • A new event floor inside the Astrodome • A boulevard connecting people from the Astrodome to NRG Park • Additional parking, storage, service and animal handling facilities The Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation approved a cost analysis in November as part of the ongoing NRG Park master plan to study the cost of restoring the Astrodome to basic operational functionality and to assess the cost of removing it. 2 NRG Arena HCSCC approved design studies for NRG Arena in August that resulted in four conceptual plans ranging from $538 million to $1.2 billion. Potential designs include a new arena with: • A 360-degree view with premium seating options, concourse clubs and suites • A multiuse pavilion to accommodate the Houston Rodeo, concerts and sports events • An upgraded exposition hall and additional exhibition space • Potential to convert the ground floor into an ice hockey rink HCSCC has not approved design plans as of press time, corporation o cials said. However, the four di erent architectural companies’ timelines in the design plan presentations show completion dates that range from 2028 to 2040. 3 Toyota Center The Houston Rockets debuted enhancements made in October to the Toyota Center, including a new scoreboard, 6,200-square-foot LED display and renovated PNC Club. Additionally, the Harris County- Houston Sports Authority board approved a facility condition assessment in October to determine what upgrades can be made to the aging structure. 4 Daikin Park The HCHSA approved a $6.5 million package in December for a seating bowl study and design work at Daikin Park, formerly known as Minute Maid Park, to replace all 41,000 seats at the stadium as well as the roof at the atrium level and all signage and branding at the ballpark to re ect the new naming rights, which became e ective Jan. 1. George R. Brown Convention Center The Houston First Corporation approved an expansion project of the George R. Brown Convention Center in August to modernize and expand the 37-year-old convention center. Details include: • A new south building with additional parking, exhibition halls and ballrooms • More green space and sidewalks on the eastern side of Downtown Houston • Improved infrastructure for pedestrian and vehicle flow Construction is anticipated to start on the potentially $2 billion project in early 2025 and wrap up in summer 2028, CEO Michael Heckman said.
Funding the project
The big picture
Proposed plans for the di erent convention and sports centers will cost billions of dollars over the next several decades. However, project o cials believe that many of the renovations will not fall on taxpayers. Funding for the expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center will come through the state’s portion of incremental hotel occupancy tax revenue, Heckman said. Astrodome Conservancy Chair Phoebe Tudor speculates that the Astrodome’s status as a Texas historical landmark could leverage private invest- ment funding and minimize public investment. For the possible redesign of NRG Arena, HCSCC CEO Martye Kendrick said funding sources are currently being evaluated, but the corporation will not be sharing details until a later date.
1
RENDERING COURTESY GENSLER
2
Measuring the impact
Economically, the ve venues bring in millions of dollars in revenue each year with major events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo bringing in additional revenue. Houston also broke several tourism records last year, including the number of visitors, the number of hotel rooms booked for future years and the amount of hotel occupancy tax collected, according to the Houston First Corporation. In 2024, Houston collected $112.9 million in HOT funds, a 7% increase from 2023. According to the Texas Comptroller’s website, HOT funds must be used to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industries. Economic impact Direct economic impact is made up of additional money spent in a local area from event-related visitors, including the cost of hotels, food and transportation.
RENDERING COURTESY POPULOUS
3
COURTESY HOUSTON ROCKETS
4
NCAA Final Four (2023): MLB World Series (2021): Super Bowl LI (2017):
$347M
$25M
$270M
CFP National Championship (2024): Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (2024):
$597M
$200M
SOURCES: HOUSTON SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE, HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION, HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY, HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO COMMUNITY IMPACT
RENDERING COURTESY HOUSTON ASTROS
20
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook