Sunday, September 15, 1996

Astros set for new stadium, will stay in Houston

By Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) - The city that said "no" to Bud Adams, costing it professional football, said "yes" Saturday to Drayton McLane Jr. and kept major league baseball.

In a ceremony that capped weeks of negotiations, the Houston Astros owner signed an agreement with city and Harris County officials for a $265 million, retractable-roof ballpark to be built downtown.

Earlier in the day, a fire sent heavy smoke through the Astrodome, injuring one firefighter. The fire, which investigators believe could have been arson, began inside one office at 2:32 a.m. CDT and was extinguished at 3:52 a.m.

Two other fires were set near the Astrodome, prompting investigators to look for possible links. A man who was shot early Saturday morning is a suspect, said fire Capt. Rick Flanagan.
The man was shot by a security guard at a liquor store which had caught fire, Flanagan said. The man will be questioned in the Astrodome and liquor store fires, as well as a fire at the Plaza del Oro Hospital parking garage, he said.

In his campaign for a new stadium, McLane produced a certified audit last month showing he lost $61.3 million since buying the team for $115 million four years ago. He insisted a new arena with more luxury boxes would net him more money.

McLane and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, the county's top elected official, reached a deal late Friday night for a 42,000-seat stadium that would be home to the Astros for 30 years.

The agreement still needs the approval of the 1997 Texas Legislature, Harris County commissioners, the City Council and county voters in a Nov. 5 referendum.

No property taxes will be used for the ballpark, which would be located near the George R. Brown Convention Center on the eastern edge of downtown. The land would be donated by a group of private business leaders.