Dynamo set to sign letter of intent to build stadium in Houston

What a busy day for the Houston Dynamo and the stadium discussion. First came word around noon that the Dynamo and the City of Sugar Land had suspended talks concerning a new stadium. That caused a number of people to figure that some other major news was set to come.

Sure enough at around 9pm, the Dynamo president Oliver Luck said that the club will signed a letter of intent to enter into stadium talks with the city. This letter does not guarantee that a deal will be reached, however, it is huge step forward to making it happen. The two sides will have till at least mid-July to reach a final deal.

"It doesn't mean a deal has been reached," Luck said. "It just means that within certain parameters we've agreed to sit with city and try to hammer out a deal.

"I think both sides have the desire to do this, but we still have to sit down and try to hammer out a deal."

The proposed stadium will be around 21,000 seats and situated East of the current Houston Astro baseball stadium.

Great news for the team and the City of Houston. Let's hope they can work something out that will allow the team to develop a permanent home without costing the city millions.

City of Houston wants to keep the Dynamo local

The Houston Dynamo might just do something very rare in MLS and play in a soccer specific stadium within the city after which they are named.

The City of Houston has stepped up their efforts to keep the Dynamo in town by offering part of a parking lot near the Houston Astros' baseball stadium. The space is owned by the Houston Sports Authority and is leased by the Astros, however the team would be happy to work out a solution.

Both the Dynamo's president Oliver Luck and Houston Mayor Bill White suggest that negotiations are far along, but still a long way from being complete.

"I can't handicap it right now," said Mayor White.

"It's the equivalent of a 65th minute in a 90 minute soccer game," said Luck.

"It's sixth inning of a nine inning game," said Mayor White.

Just looking at this from a location standpoint, this would be fantastic. Having teams play in their city is an idea I've always supported. That said, I have no idea about funding, expansion or practice field issues, so who knows just how great this is.

The article notes that a final decision is still weeks away and that Sugar Land is the other city at which the Dynamo is looking.

Houston's four stadium sites

It looks like the Houston Dynamo are moving ever closer to finding a spot for their new home. The cities of Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland and Webster are all interested in developing the complex, although Pearland and Webster will not confirm that they have put forth a proposal,

Of all four locals, the must is known about Sugar Land. Just last week their city council decided to move "forward with the development of an entertainment district that would include a 20,000-25,000 seat stadium that could be used by the Dynamo." The site would also include 16 tournament quality fields.

Pearland is being coy, but team president Oliver Luck very much likes the location. "What I like about Pearland is the timing of this all, because they're really in a massive growth spurt. Being able to potentially plan something like (a soccer stadium complex) in with all the other stuff that's happening is very gratuitous timing."

Houston has put forward a site right next to the baseball stadium while Webster has suggestion a few possible sites.

It would seem, at the moment, that Pearland has a bit of an edge over the others. It's location near Texas 288 and Beltway 8 gives it good access and it sounds like there is room to grow. I would place Houston second because having a downtown stadium is just an amazing idea. Sugar Land's offer sounds interesting, but it almost sounds like they are looking for more of a leasing deal then an ownership one. Webster would be the outsider of them all. It is a bit out of town and it doesn't sound like there is much around. Also, it is the only city where the Dynamo has not done any sort of engineering study.

A lot will depend on the deal that is offered, but if I had to give odds I would say Pearland 3:1, Houston 5:1, Sugar Land 8:1 and Webster 15:1. That was fun.

The Dynamo has previously stated 2009 as the date by which they want to open the new stadium. If they still want to make that deadline, then we should know an answer no later then the end of the season.