From: Sam Morton [mailto:sgmorton@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 12:36 PM
To: judge_eckels@co.harris.tx.us
Subject: Astroworld Closing
Mr Eckels,
As it is turning out building the new stadium is going to leave a black eye on our city. Let's face it the new stadium is just like every other stadium. Granted it is new and grand and all but in the end it's not that special. Not at all as special as the Astrodome was and still is. The Astrodome got a chance to shine yet again in the face of the Katrina disaster and I believe that the dome is something that the whole world associates with the city of Houston. Now that being said.
The Astrodome is doomed.
I see what has happened to Astroworld, it basically boiled down to parking, if you cannot get to the park then attendance will fall and so will revenue and so will upkeep which will further the attendance issue etc... Reliant and the Sports Authority made it hard on Astroworld and now our city is losing a landmark. I believe that people come to Houston to go to Astroworld. I believe that Astroworld provided a quality of life for the city of Houston that is now being taken away and will not be easily replaced. I also think the Astrodome is next on the chopping block. There is nothing that can be done with it now. There is no venture that will be viable for this structure and soon it will have to be raised and then what? Houston will have lost the Astrodomain complex in whole. Something we used to be proud of! Something I was still proud of and now ... time marches on. Are we any better off? I think not. I'd rather have Astroworld and the Astrodome back. I'd rather see Monster Trucks in the dome or the Rodeo in the dome or just about everything else other than football. I agree Reliant is a better football facility. So those 10 days a year she shines very brightly, the rest of the time, I don't see it that way.
A little piece of me died when I heard about Astroworld's demise. I feel this pain for my 7 year old and the now realization of not having Astroworld for his pre-teen years. I feel this pain for myself as well. My first job was at Astroworld. I have lived here my whole life and chose to raise my son here and these are the things that make me question my choices. I complain because I feel this could have been handled better and because I hate to see the greed of 10 days worth of $30 parking take away something many of us found precious.
--
Disgusted,
Sam Morton
From: Judge Eckels (County Judge's Office)
To: "sgmorton@gmail.com"
Date: Oct 5, 2005 5:04 PM
Subject: RE: Astroworld Closing
Dear Mr. Morton:
As a frequent patron of AstroWorld over the years, I too was saddened by the news that it is closing on October 30th. AstroWorld has provided decades of family fun for Houston families. Our community will truly miss this theme park.
Six Flags announced that it decided to sell AstroWorld because it has been under-performing financially for several years, and it is my understanding that the Six Flags Board of Directors made their decision to sell the property in June, 2005, as a way to boost value for Six Flags shareholders, before negotiations began on the parking issue. I believe the parking situation can be resolved, but this will not resolve the long-term issues of land values and park revenue.
Property values in the area have greatly increased over the last five years, and the park is currently sitting on some very valuable property. Six Flags Chief Financial Officer Jim Dannhauser has stated that the "value of the land far outstripped the value of the park as an ongoing business enterprise." It is anticipated the land will sell for $20-$30 per square foot. This equates to between $95 million and $142 million.
I believe there is a strong market in Houston for this type of facility and there may very well be investor interest in building a similar park in the Houston area.
Thank you for emailing me with your concern about this issue.
Sincerely,
Robert Eckels
County Judge
What do I have to say... ugh!
Standard line... I found out that Astroworld was tied for 4th among all Six Flags parks, I'm not sure the underperformance holds water. No new rides due to reluctance to invest in facility with an unstable future because of the parking situation makes it, well a vicious circle...
http://www.ps260.com/molly/SHINING%20FINAL.mov There was this competition where you take an existing movie and make your own trailer by remixing it. For instance here is The Shining trailer as a romantic comedy?! Yep it just goes to show you that those trailers you see can make anything look like anything! v.cooooool!
Just got back from seeing Serenity and it did not dissapoint at all! It was damn good! Now I do not know if it's because I am big fan of the show that was on Fox or if it was that good but judging from the crowd reaction, winner!
So do you think it's over? Guess again! All of these people are compaining about evacuating "for nothing". It would not have been for nothing if it had hit here, and you may get your wish! While I think this may be a bit old I started to look around the site and saw this! Whjat does that mean? The season is not over and we should not be so quick as to say phew it's over, we made it! In reality two storms in a row have come right up the gut into the gulf and hit almost in the same spot so the conditions are certainly there for it happen again. We should all be thinking hurry up cold fronts! Thanks to big G for the image.
:: 9/26/2005 8:55:15 PM http://www.frvade.com/ I'm on level 7 and stuck like chuck! I know there are answers out there on the internet... you can put them in my comments only if you explain how you got them, and I do not mean "I got them from the internet. huh!"
UPDATE! My parents just got the power back on... more stuff opening around town. Gas trucks coming in from all over as well. Should be back to normal in a day or two.
Nothing new today... just freakin heat! My parents are going to stay here until the power comes back on at their place. Some stores are starting to open around town which is good, I have enough gas to go to and from work one time only then I'm screwed! Speaking of I'm not sure if I'm supposed to go to work even. I suspect yes and I am planning on it at thios point.
Anyway thanks to all the well wishers that kept calling and what not during the storm.
Some of the aftermath photos are from my neighborhood on the next street. In our neighborhood there are about 6 or 7 lost trees. The Larsons across the street have one leaning on their house and on the main street there are many. Just out of the neighborhood there was a telephone pole snapped in half. Crazy!
:: 10/5/2005 1:05:19 PM
