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Latest Astrodome proposal: massive indoor park

By WTOP Staff

JUAN A. LOZANO
Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — The iconic but shuttered Houston Astrodome could come back to life as an indoor park that county officials say would be the world’s largest, according to the newest proposal for reusing the stadium and saving it from demolition.

The pitch came from Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, the county’s top elected official, during a news conference Tuesday on the floor of the 49-year-old county-owned building.

Emmett said while some people feel the structurally sound but dilapidated stadium should be demolished, he views the Astrodome as an asset that’s still useful.

“Before we just toss it on the trash heap, we need to take a look at what people in our community need,” he said.

Emmett said he came up with the idea while on a morning walk during one of Houston’s hot and humid days.

The proposal includes a green space for festivals and other gatherings, a possible amphitheater and an area for sports activities. Emmett pointed to the Astrodome’s upper seating levels Tuesday, saying they could be a good location for hiking, biking and fitness trails.

Opened in 1965, the so-called Eighth Wonder of the World once housed MLB’s Astros and the NFL’s former Oilers but hasn’t been home to a sports team since 1999 and has been closed to all events since 2009. Many of its brightly colored seats were sold to the public last year, along with the AstroTurf that once covered the floor.

It’s not in any immediate danger of being demolished after voters last year didn’t authorize $217 million in bonds to turn it into a multipurpose special events center. But local officials have continued to struggle to find an alternative use.

Other proposals have included a water park and sports memorabilia museum, but none has gained much traction.

Emmett did not offer a firm funding plan or a cost estimate for his indoor park proposal, though he suggested creating private-public partnerships to pay for it.

A detailed proposal on the indoor park idea could be presented by the Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. to Harris County commissioners, the group of local leaders who manage the county, within three months, officials said.

“I think it’s got legs,” Beth Wiedower, senior field officer with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said of Emmett’s idea. Wiedower’s organization has been one of various groups that have been working to save the Astrodome from the wrecking ball. Wiedower said she is not aware of any other indoor park on the scale that Harris County is proposing.

The world’s first multipurpose domed stadium is also under consideration for a “state antiquities landmark” designation from the Texas Historical Commission that would make it more difficult to tear it down. But a decision from the commission is on hold.

Emmett’s idea comes after a $66 million proposal by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was unveiled last month that calls for destroying the structure to make way for green space and a 25,000-square-foot replica of the stadium that would house an Astrodome hall of fame.

The rodeo and the Houston Texans have been proponents of demolishing the Astrodome, which sits next to the sleek and modern NRG Stadium, where the NFL team plays and where the rodeo is held each year.

The stadium’s most prominent use in recent years was as a shelter for Louisiana residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The National Park Service added the Astrodome to its National Register of Historic Places in January.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter at https://twitter.com/juanlozano70

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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