The Houston Dynamo and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority have agreed on a 30-year lease to develop, construct, operate, and manage a new downtown soccer stadium, it was announced yesterday.
HCHSA chairman Kenny Friedman made the announcement at the southeast corner of the stadium site Thursday afternoon, joined by Dynamo president Chris Canetti and several other dignitaries.
“The Dynamo stadium will help revitalize the East End, creating jobs and business opportunity without issuing bonds or incurring any public debt,” Friedman said. “This agreement will bring a world-class facility to our community without burdening taxpayers.”
Under this agreement, the city and county will contribute the land for the stadium, while the Dynamo will pay for the construction and maintenance. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority will act as the landlord and provide its substantial expertise in overseeing the long-term legal and contractual obligations for the facility.
The new stadium will also be the home for the Texas Southern University football team, as well as a new state-of-the-art outdoor entertainment venue for all of Harris County.
Friedman also outlined the next steps of the process, saying, “We recommend that both the Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court approve this agreement. Fans want to see the Dynamo and the Tigers in their new home for their 2012 season openers.”
