astrodome-best option
TRANSCRIPT
ASTRODOME-BEST OPTIONCREATING A NEW FUTURE FOR
THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD
Serving a growing population
Coping with a wetter, hotter climate
Going vertical Building the tourism
economy Strengthening education Bridging our past and future Using and building
technology
HOUSTON’S FUTURE
HOUSTON’S FUTURE ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE
More parks
Fewer surface parking lots
Building a sustainable model
Urban gardens
Food forests
Farmers markets
Healthy, active lifestyle
More and better transit options
Rational development process
RELIANT PARK Reliant Stadium
Reliant Center
Reliant Arena
Reliant Astrodome First covered stadium of the modern
era Unused since Katrina in 2005
120 acres of parking Critically important for our park
proposal
3D orbital experience Space tourism marketplace Best-practices green park All parking underground, multilevel
garages triple parking capacity 125,000 sq ft of solar panels on
dome roof Monorail Ongoing research and education Disaster preparedness and refuge Hotel & residential towers
PROPOSED MASTER PLAN
INSIDE THE ASTRODOME, AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE
3D DIGITAL PLANETARIUM360 degree surround imaging surface
○ 500 ft. diameter, 200 ft. highHigh resolution images from space
○ Custom-built cameras & adapted existing images
INSIDE THE ASTRODOME,AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE
TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE NEEDS EXPERT COLLABORATION
NASA/JPLCommercial space industryDigital imaging industrySupercomputing community
INSIDE THE ASTRODOME,AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE
NEW SPACESHIP SHOWROOMPartner with space tourism companiesDocked vehicle mockups & simulatorsEvolve to actual trip ticket sales
A WORLD TRAVEL DESTINATIONUnique experience will draw top tier travelers
INSIDE THE ASTRODOME,AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE
ATTRACTIONS, FOOD/DRINK AND SHOPSPlatforms & bridges “float” in center of spaceNew mall space around perimeter and below parkMuseums, universities may have outposts
ON THE DOME’S EXTERIOR
A SOLAR ROOFOver 125,000 sq. ft. of solar panelsThermal insulating transparent solar panels (BIPV)Co-generation/No reliance on grid Retrofitted frames replace or cover skylightsModules hold solar panels & LED lighting grid
A DOME THAT SPARKLES AT NIGHT
Programmable decorative lighting arrayVisible from the new park,
Reliant Stadium, near neighborhoods, from the air and from orbit
Could depict planets, galaxies or abstract designs
ON THE DOME’S EXTERIOR
A 90-ACRE GREEN PARK Dense tree canopy Broad sloping lawns
Community garden
Teaching vineyard
Edible orchard
Farmers Market
A 90-ACRE GREEN PARK Concert pavilion
Rotating tower restaurant
Event pavilions
Hotel
Designed for day & night activities
Research & Education
A 90-ACRE GREEN PARK RECREATION
AMENITIESSkate parkCarouselSand castle beachClimbing bluffsDog parkFitness stations
MULTILEVEL PARKING BELOW PARK Entire park surface is on garage roof 2 garage levels below grade, 1 above Base of green park is 20 ft above street Artificial hills with more parking levels below Service, maintenance underground
A MONORAIL RUNS THROUGH IT
A PROCESS & PROGRAMFOR EDUCATION & RESEARCH
S.T.E.M. education component Space & astronomy Perception and imagination Peak performance & sports
technology Environmental stewardship,
biodiversity Houston history & heritage
A REFUGE FOR TIMES OF DISASTER
COUNTY FACILITY FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND FLOOD REFUGEElevated park base becomes high groundElevated gardenOn-site solar power generating capacityProven emergency housing capacity
WHY OURS IS THE BEST PROPOSAL Takes advantage of &
creates value forAdjacent assetsInstitutions of metro area
Advances best practices
Serves communities
THE BARRIER: MONEY.SOME POSSIBLE SOURCES:
Single source Consortium of government, space, energy,
entertainment companies Partner all (We become matchmakers)
HOW FUNDING CAN BE ACHIEVED Fund in sections and stages Serve every community Create opportunities for grant
funding Build a process for innovation best
practice Devise partnering opportunities Create a bucket list destination Seek collaborative, in kind
contribution from communities of interest, including NASA
WHERE THINGS STAND Consulting firm to make new
recommendations soon
Our plan submitted informally to HCSCC in February
I spoke in support at Harris County Commissioners Court in March
DESIRED OUTCOME: HCSCC ENDORSES THE PROPOSAL
Partner to develop the design
Ramp up a strategy for funding
Obtain buy-in by interest communities
Campaign for voter approval
SECOND BEST OUTCOME: HCSCC DOES NOTHING
HCSCC “option #1”
Allows time toUpgrade presentationOutreach more strategically
Only good if we use timeto make the caseto make it happen
MOVING FORWARD
IF PROPOSAL NOT ADOPTED WE WILL PROCEEDMore models, renderings, presentationsOutreach to communities and mediaPitch to potential single source fundersContest bond election as we are able
VOLUNTEER WISH LIST
Intensive networking/recruiting Identifying/outreaching to potential tenants Identifying funding sources and process
(for the park, not for us)
VOLUNTEER WISH LIST
Professional/in-kind/pro bono services Friends of the New Astrodome Park Research Kickstart-funded design competitions
ASTRODOME-BEST OPTIONCREATING A NEW FUTURE FOR
THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD