Here's One Vote Against A New Dynamo Stadium

By John Royal Thu., Jan. 28 2010 at 10:32 AM

Categories: Soccer

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So the Houston Dynamo are upset that Harris County hasn't yet given them money for their planned pleasure palace. Well cry me a river.

I'm not sure if the Dynamo have noticed, but there's a rather severe recession going on in the country right now. And though the Dynamo are only asking for ten million dollars from the county, I've got to ask, aren't there more important things that the county could use this money for? I don't know, like paying deputies and prosecutors. I'm sure that the Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals could make some good use of those dollars. Keeping the county libraries up and running and keeping the parks nice and safe would also be nice. Sure, this isn't as glamorous as a shiny new pleasure palace where people will pay lots and lots of money to watch grown men in shorts kick a ball, but glamour should be secondary.

Yes, I know Drayton McLane and Les Alexander extorted money out of the citizens of the community for their new and unneeded buildings, and I know Bob McNair convinced all of you lemmings to pay for his palace, but that doesn't mean that the Dynamo should get this windfall. I didn't support the building of any of those monstrosities, and I'm not going to start now. So I'm not being inconsistent or hypocritical in my desire to see the Dynamo denied.

Here's the thing. The Dynamo claim they're willing to chip in a majority of the costs -- they're
claiming that they'll pay $60 million of the so-called $80 million price tag. But let's just say I'm not quite of the believing mode. I'll believe the Dynamo's assertions when they follow through on their threat to go forward with that little dream palace off of Westpark that they have suddenly started threatening. And when and if they actually do this -- which I doubt -- then they'll get my support because taxpayers really shouldn't be paying for this crap.

I want to address another thing. One of the things we'll hear -- that we've been hearing -- is that the stadium is needed at the proposed spot in the East End because it will improve the surrounding area by bringing in more business and improving the economy by bringing in more jobs. The old economic development argument. To which I ask: weren't these same things said about Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, Discovery Green, the Hilton, and way back in the day, the George R. Brown? That's why they were all built where they were, in a big giant cluster right off of 59.

But the way the Dynamo supporters have put it, the East End is still a dead zone that needs this new stadium -- I guess that the economic development stopped at the freeway -- maybe there's some kind of invisible barrier there that I can't see. That's the only thing I can think of because the Dynamo stadium boondoggle is only supposed to be a few blocks away from the rest of the boondoggles.

And the whole economic development argument is a lie. Government's subsidizing new sports stadiums only improve the economies of the team owners and do nothing for the cities. Otherwise, Minute Maid Park would have done the job already. And the Reliant Park area looks worse than when the Astrodome was the only thing in the area.

So go ahead Dynamo. Throw your little hissy fit. I don't really care. I'm hoping that you lose and that the county does the right thing for once and tells you no. Go build your own damn stadium over by the Galleria. Develop the economy over there. Just use your own money.

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Why doesn't the Dynamo moved forward with their $60 million stadium with extra $10 million from the City? Is the whole deal dependent on securing the County TIRZ for infrastructure improvements? Why not just ask the city for $20 million? The TIRZ money is only paid by the commercial businesses within the boundaries of the TIRZ and they just receive a single bill for the city and county taxes. If the deal can't move forward without County TIRZ money, then it's not a good deal. The proposed Galleria area site could also use redevelopment and would not involve any TIRZ taxpayer funds. Seems like the Dynamo would prefer that site. So whats the holdup?
John Royal, go away now and let the adults discuss this proposal. It's a bit too serious for the likes of you.
Sad to see that having a major league WINING professional team in the most popular sport in the world in Houston doesn't grant a decent stadium. They are not asking more than the other teams already have... Maybe a solution would be to get rid of the always loosing Astros and give the stadium to a winning team such as the Dynamo's... lol... The Dynamos have won at least 4 national championships and represented the US in international tournaments with a very dignified performance.... but who cares... we are the US and we call our NFL and Baseball winners "World Champions" when in fact there are no teams for other countries in these tournaments... Dynamos are the only decent team on a major league sport that we have in Houston, give them a stadium and hope the other teams learn from them.
ahaha...look at the author's smug smirk!!! What a dud. Click link
I think most Dynamo related posts here have received scant attention, scant being a rather generous description. Then suddenly now a deluge of Dynamo lovers and crusaders for deep journalism! Anyone besides me smell flacks and pr depts grabbing their pitchforks and digitally marching to the same beat? Go get em guys! If you think a TIRZ is some inviolate holy grail that can't be gamed, you are naieve little girls.
Yeah, a reporter John Royal is not. He should stick to...well, whatever else it is he does.
The sad thing is John Royal's baseless article shows that he doesnt want a stadium and with all the comments bashing his journalist integrity, he is only going to hate the stadium more. He will go out and find some actual facts next time against the stadium (while leaving out the good facts) and pen another article against the stadium. We can't let these kind of baseless claims go unchecked, but in the end it just creates more enemies. Lose-Lose for the Dynamo.
I've known of the Dynamo for four years and of John Royal for about 4 hours. In that time, John Royal was the only one that had a hissy fit, lol. What a joke.
This piece just became an example of every misconception out there about this stadium, with the added benefit of hick belligerence.
Anonymous: SO you are jealous because the Dynamo has two reporters covering the beautifull game of soccer and the Astro has only one. LEt me tell you, your current Astro reporter use to cover the Dynamo before. Start win some championships OK, and stop show us all of the palyer scandals, and might be you will have more reporters! Keep dreaming about winninf a championship, GOOD LUCK.
I guess when it comes to blogs (or whatever category this particular article falls under), one shouldn't expect any kind of intelligent argument or due diligence on the part of the writer. For if that were so, the writer would have realized that as long ago as 12 months previously, the Dynamo had secured financing for the East End project. The writer would also have learned that the 10 plus 10 million in contribution from the city and county was also to be financed by a loan secured by the Dynamo, and that money would have gone toward infrastructure and not the building of the stadium. The writer would also have known that "infrastructure" means road improvements, sewer improvements and those things that are normally considered to be the duty of government to build. The writer would also have known that in today's world, such infrastructure improvements are accomplished through taxations such as in the case of Municipal Utility Districts. Of course it is obvious that the author of this article doesn't have a clue and if he did - then he should also be calling for the abolition of every single Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone operated by the City of Houston, Harris County, and every other government entity in the area. And finally, if he were to get his wish and abolish such innovative taxation reinvestment schemes the landscape of Houston would look like it did in the early 70's. In short Mr. Royal - just ignore the world sport of football, and those of us who love it won't comment on dwarf tossing or whatever sport it is that you adhere to.
Wow, John Royal got destroyed on this piece.
The $10M that the Dynamo is asking for comes from future dollars derived in the increase in property values that would come in the area around the stadium. Don't live by the stadium? It won't affect you. Once the $10M is used, the county continues to benefit from the taxes off the increased property values. A TIRZ does not take money away from the police, libraries, hospitals, or museums. Ben Taub and LBJ couldn't use TIRZ funds no matter how badly they want them. So did the Houston Press just throw a dart at a list of writers when they selected who wrote this? The very premise of the entire piece is patently false. Mr. Royal needs to acquaint himself with what a TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) is and how they work before casting that one vote of his.
He talks about other sports in houston with they new stadiums, but what does the texans have done since they came to houston noyhing my HOUSTON DYNAMOS HAVE WON 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS SO BETTER RESPECT wat they have done and put texas number one on soccer sport all over the world.
Wow, what a mess. Before commenting on something, you'd think the author would have taken the time to research the topic. He comes off as just another American sports fan that doesn't realize there are other sports besides the ones they invented. The Houston Dynamo have been an great example of what a sports franchise should be. On top of that, they have ACTUALLY won a championship. Two of them. Here's hoping the county does the right thing and gives the champions a home in downtown.
Journalism never enters into it, that's just some fool with an opinion! An unsupported, poorly reasoned opinion that falls into the "so what" category for me. I find most newspaper sites are trolled by people who spend large parts of their time trolling newspaper sites railing about anything they hate/fear. I guess they think that passes as productive time. Not that this writer falls into that group - I know nothing about him.
Well that was three minutes of my life that I'll never get back. What poor, poor journalism... wouldn't want to let the facts get in the way of a good rant now, would you? John Royal is a tool. If it weren't for that stick up your arse, you probably wouldn't even be able to stand up straight, you muppet. I hope that the Dynamo holds 'Kick John Royal in the Nuts Night' when they open up their new stadium.
I haven't read, seen or heard anything resembling a hissy fit from the Houston Dynamo. It must be nice to have a job where all you are required to do is spew the simple thoughts that come to you rather than do any background checking or for that matter know the subject matter. I want my 5 minutes back that it took to read this crap.
You don't think they've got the money? Then why the hell are they prepared to go private and build the stadium themselves.(January 28, 2010 Houston Chronicle, City and State front page: Dynamo, developer discuss Galleria-area stadium site)
"So the Houston Dynamo are upset" "when they follow through on their threat to go forward with that little dream palace off of Westpark that they have suddenly started threatening" "So go ahead Dynamo. Throw your little hissy fit" Did this guy even read the article that he's referencing?
AEG cant finance a stadium? Please. AEG is "the world's largest owner of sports teams and sports events as well as the owner of the world�s most profitable sports and entertainment venues." I can't believe someone would be so against something without looking at the facts. You wouldnt know a good deal if it slapped you in the face. Thats the kind of people that have the same dead end job their whole lives because they never took at better opportunity simply because "they didnt like it."
The basic question anti-stadium people need to ask is "Is it okay for Houston to have no professional sports teams?" The Oilers moved because we didn't put taxpayer support into a stadium. The Astros and Rockets were prepared to do so, and you can just look around to see the many basketball teams that have moved and the number of cities that are dying for a baseball team (although I don't recall a move in 10+ years). If you are willing to say "yes, we don't have to have a single team", then fine, that's your view. But you can't realistically argue "if the City had called their bluff, they would not have moved." Then there is the whole issue of what value do sports teams add to quality of life, economy, etc. that the majority of taxpayers are perhaps willing to pay for. Although the roots don't go back in history as far, I would argue the providing the community with sports teams has gotten to be a typical big-city government responsibility, like parks and swimming pools and golf courses. You may not like it, but that's what govt has done for years. I am pretty sure the first govt funding was back in the 1930s. And before that, govt funded ports and other things that were for the benefit of specific businesses that were thought to provide for the greater good.
Poor, poor journalism. Is quality diregarded in a "blog post"? It detracts from the entire paper/site. Do some footwork, make some phone calls. Indolence.
Wow! Talk about your footie haters,Why dont you get your facts straight before writing such garbage.
Opponents of the stadium, yourself included, ask why the Dynamo don't just build the stadium themselves. In truth, this is precisely what the club is trying to do. I agree with you that public money should not be used for sports stadiums. Roads and sewers, on the other hand, are perfectly appropriate uses of public monies. Not to mention that, after the Dynamo spend $60M to build the stadium, they won't even own it. It will be municipally owned - whether by the city or both the city & county is yet to be determined. The Dynamo Supporters' Alliance will be gathering at the East End site on February 20 from 1-3. I hope to see you there.
Brian Zygo is absolutely correct. The financing is already in place from BBVA, according to Oliver Luck. The Dynamo stadium financing plan in no way resembles the graft (honest or not) that resulted in Minute Maid Park, Reliant Stadium and Toyota Park. This is a TIRZ deal pure and simple, and not a giveaway. The city has already spent money to acquire the land and pay for improvements. As far as direct payments from the city or the county, look elsewhere to vent your ire. This does not compute. Simply put, the Dynamo stadium deal is the kind of deal that critics of stadia expenditures have always said should be made. To vent against it now is to be either self-contradictory or ignorant of the facts at hand. Reading your piece John, and not even mentioning the facts of this deal at hand, I'm thinking it's the latter. Response?
A quick follow up on that development around stadium issues. I'd argue that Minute Maid has actually resulted in more development in that part of downtown. Anyone who grew up in Houston in the 80s and 90s knows what that area was like before the ballpark was there. As for Reliant, well the area around there was already developed in its own way.
Geez, I don't even know where to start. If you don't like stadiums that is fine, I understand. But one of the biggest pet peeves of mine is a rant that has little to no basis on facts. "I've got to ask, aren't there more important things that the county could use this money for?" It's not money that even exists yet, learn what a TIRZ is first. Then we'll talk. "The Dynamo claim..." Shouldn't you investigate things and report on it? "because taxpayers really shouldn't be paying for this crap..." Unless you actually live in the area proposed, it constitutes zero of your tax money. Again, learn what you are talking about. "Government's subsidizing..." Look up subsidize in the dictionary first. The deal is nothing like the other big arenas in town. "I don't really care. " Apparently you do. I hope the dynamo do go with private funding. It'll leave the city with an overpriced $10 million plot of land. When someone wants to build yet another condo there, they'll do the TIRZ. And I'll laugh.
Wow, I really expect better from the Houston Press, the only thing different between this blog post, instead of taking the time to understand the tax and financing issues involved, you've made a lot of assumptions with little factual basis to support them. First of all, AEG/Brenner Group/Golden Boy might not have $60million in a bank account, but, they will have no trouble getting the financing to cover some or all of said amount. I doubt think y'all understand much about who owns this team and why they can afford that kind of contribution. This money is what's going to pay for the stadium itself, not the city or county money. The $20million ponied up by the City & County will not come from new taxes. That money will come via TIRZ 15, which is a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Under this plan, the tax money used doesn't come from all over Houston, it comes from the area covered by the TIRZ. Therefore, the money used comes from property taxes in the East End - not from any other area of the city/county. So if you live in Memorial or Westchase, etc. your property tax money won't be going to the Dynamo stadium. Finally, the purpose of the public money is to upgrade the infrastructure in that area i.e. roads and utilities. Have you been in the East End? They could use that there even if no stadium is built. As for developing other business around there, have you been to Lucky's? The stadium will be close to Lucky's and most likely help expand the development that has already occurred thanks to Minute Maid Park. Finally, just once, I'd like to see an article like this that didn't just focus on stadiums. Stadiums and public money get all the press, meanwhile, everyone tends to ignore what kind of deals corporate America is getting from the city and/or county. How about that Walmart Distribution center over in Baytown? They get 30 years of not having to pay property taxes. There's no telling how many big box stores, including Walmart, in Harris County actually get to keep a big chunk of the sales tax they collect. Companies that keep or relocate their Headquarters to Houston gets all sorts of tax breaks and incentives too. But, those things are hidden in the numbers, hidden in bulky, dull contracts and deals. Why take the time to dig through all that, when we can just be lazy and complain about tax money going to a stadium.
I am like you, in that I do not believe for one minute that the Dynamo ownership has 60 million in a bank account, just ready to drop into a stadium project. This is all so bogus. I am supposing that the chronicle is so excited about the soccer team (after all they have 2 reporters covering it - more than they have on the Astros) and the prospect of more downtown development, that they have never doubted for a minute the existence of said 60 mil. When will someone just say "show me the money !".