SB Nation Houston - Houston Dynamo Stadium Update: Groundbreaking Delayed!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-01-25T19:16:12-06:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17125202011-01-25T19:16:12-06:002011-01-25T19:16:12-06:00Houston Dynamo Stadium Groundbreaking Delayed Until After City Council Vote
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<p>According to a <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/7397591.html">recent story from the Houston Chronicle</a>, the Commissioner's Court unanimously approved the TIRZ deal during the meeting, but the Houston City Council has not yet voted on the deal and will not until next week's meeting.</p>
<p>Because of this, Dynamo President Chris Canetti and members of Houston's ownership group, opted to delay the groundbreaking ceremony to another date (likely February 5).</p>
<p>Houston Councilman Mike Sullivan, long a supporter of the Houston Dynamo's stadium campaign, believes that the City Council will approve the deal and progress will resume next week.</p>
<p>"Houston City Council has consistently supported the new Dynamo stadium up to this point, and I think they will approve next week's agenda item as well," said Sullivan. "I hate to see the groundbreaking delayed, but certainly do respect AEG's decision. It is unfortunate that the city of Houston did not better anticipate this."</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-dynamo/2011/1/25/1956336/houston-dynamo-stadium-groundbreaking-delayed-until-after-cityJordan Wise2011-01-25T19:06:49-06:002011-01-25T19:06:49-06:00Dynamo Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony Delayed
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<p>Tuesday evening a brief email from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> front office slipped into the inbox of season ticket holders and fans with some unexpected and unpleasant news. The email said:</p>
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<p>We have elected to re-schedule the ceremonial groundbreaking that was tentatively planned for this Saturday. Over the next few days, we will pinpoint a new date. This does not change the timeline for construction and an April 2012 opening.</p>
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<p>This news came as a shock to Dynamo fans, who were told just a few days ago that the groundbreaking ceremony was planned for this coming Saturday, January 29. It is too early to read too much from the email, but the announcement is perplexing both to Dynamo fans, season ticket holders, and sponsors. </p>
<p>Earlier this week, Zach Woosley of <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/">Dynamo Theory</a> discussed <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2011/1/24/1953365/where-things-stand-for-the-new-dynamo-stadium">the progress of the stadium deal</a>, detailing the few remaining steps in the process. One of the more important points in his post is the discussion of what could delay the groundbreaking ceremony. </p>
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<p>[T]he ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, January 29th at 2pm but events in the Harris County Commissioner's Court and the Houston City Council will determine if the event is allowed to proceed.</p>
<p>There is no reason to believe that the two political entities won't sign off on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 15, a public financing tool that encourages public-private partnerships and is based on increased tax revenue generated by the development of the stadium, but until this final measure is approved, the light can't truly turn green on construction of the stadium.</p>
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<p>While the minutes from today's Commissioners Court of Harris County meeting are not currently available, the Houston Dynamo Stadium decision was in the meeting's agenda, listed as item "E" under "Community Services." The agenda said, "Request for approval of an interlocal agreement between the county, City of Houston, East Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and the City of Houston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 15 in connection with the project coasts related to the Dynamo Stadium." </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-dynamo/2011/1/25/1956257/dynamo-stadium-groundbreaking-ceremony-delayedJordan Wise2011-01-21T12:17:11-06:002011-01-21T12:17:11-06:00Houston Dynamo Stadium Update: Groundbreaking Date Announced!
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<p>Today the front office of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> (finally) officially announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the team's new downtown stadium will be held next Saturday, January 29, at 2pm. </p>
<p>Earlier this week, Dynamo President, Chris Canetti, discussed the progress of the stadium situation in "<a href="http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/01/canettis-corner-january-21-2011">Canetti's Corner</a>," his weekly address to fans, saying, "We to hope to nail down a date for the stadium groundbreaking very soon. There are a few final pieces that need to come together, but I expect that things can get done within weeks. Once they do, then we'll quickly move forward with a ceremony and then construction. Fans will be invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, so please stay tuned for details. A grand opening in April of 2012 remains the target and is realistic."</p>
<p>Since then, the situation has evidently improved and a date was finally nailed down. Right now, few details about the groundbreaking ceremony are known, but more will be coming soon from the Houston Dynamo. </p>
<p>This is an exciting day for all of the Houston Dynamo fans who have waited five years for the idea of their very own stadium to become a reality.</p>
<p>Now, let's get out those silver-plated (orange, maybe?) shovels!</p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/1/21/2328416/houston-dynamo-stadium-update-groundbreaking-date-announcedJordan Wise