Old has little to do with my argument. Originally I was well on board when I heard about a MA remodel, but then it turns into a demolition. I'm not understanding the logic behind this. The plan is to tear down a perfectly good 5000 seat auditorium and replace it with a 2500 seat theater. This makes no sense to me. Location cannot be the argument, costs cannot be the argument. (I think that the lot across from the Museum Of Art would have been a better location - on the riverwalk, by the highways, close to Pearl Development. I've made this argument before that Houston's Center cost $92 million in 2002). The city could still spend some money towards that river entrance and a parking garage. As far as concern for the building, there is nothing wrong with the auditorium exept that it is underutilized. So, it will be torn down, leaving the city without a mid-sized venue. Oh wait, the Alamodome has configured a mid range venue to fill the void. That doesn't make sense to me either, I bet it costs alot more to operate the dome.
I'm excited when I look at the design for the Tobin; i think its pretty damn good. And I know that if this comes to fruition, I'll learn to love it. But I just had to vent