People might think of Houston as a place in the middle of the desert, that has a year round tempature of 120 degrees. This is not true!
Houston is the fourth largest city in the nation and the largest city in Texas, with a population of 1.6 million (within the city limits, ther are nearly another 3 million in the suburbs). The city's economic livelihood centers on the energy, health care and chemical industries. Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations; 75 art galleries, five major museums; resident companies in opera, theater, symphony and ballet; and five sports franchises. Houston's beauty and spirit are reflected in its thousands of trees and gardens, in its cultural amenities and in its grand architecture -- but most importantly in its personality, as shown by the rich cultural diversity of its people.
Johnson fuels fan excitement in Dome debut
By JOSEPH DUARTE
A record regular-season crowd is expected at the Astrodome tonight, and it has nothing to do with the Atlanta Braves.
Big Mac isn't in town, either.
Slammin' Sammy is a week away.
So why all the fuss?
"Some tall guy is pitching," wisecracked third baseman Sean Berry.
Houston just got a lot bigger.
Randy Johnson makes his Astrodome debut at 7:05 p.m. against the Philadelphia Phillies in what is expected to generate the most interest by an individual player since Nolan Ryan's first game with the Astros in 1980. The Astrodome record for a baseball game is 53,688, set Oct. 3, 1997, in Game 3 of the National League playoffs against the Braves.
A crowd of 53,657 attended an exhibition between the Astros and Texas Rangers on April 2, 1993. Ryan started for the Rangers in his first trip to the Dome since 1988.
"My phone has been ringing off the hook for tickets," Berry said.
If infielder Tim Bogar didn't have one of the best seats in the house, he would pay to watch Johnson, acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on July 31.
But chances are he would be unable to find a ticket. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, only about 6,200 tickets remained. The Astros had sold 27,000 tickets for tonight's game prior to the Johnson trade and reported selling close to 16,000 during a three-day stretch this week.
"I'd definitely pay to watch Randy pitch any day of the week, even if I had to sit at the top (of the Dome)," Bogar said. "He's one of the best pitchers in the game, if not the best."
For the Astros, all the attention is taking some getting used to. A swarm of national and local media converged on Pittsburgh for Johnson's debut Sunday, a 6-2 victory over the Pirates in which he struck out 12 in seven innings. Such interest in Houston usually is reserved for Mark McGwire's batting practice or a series with the Braves.
But a regular-season game?
Against the 56-57 Phillies?
"It's usually the other team having part of the attraction,"Astros manager Larry Dierker said. "It's like a playoff atmosphere."
The May 16 Astros-Braves game drew a regular-season-record 51,526. Prior to this season, the largest regular-season crowd was June 22, 1966, when 50,908 watched Sandy Koufax pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Astros have drawn 1,397,665 for 52 home dates this season, an average of 26,878.
A placard welcoming Johnson with a "K" (for strikeout) will be distributed to fans as they enter the gates.
"(The adrenalin) is going to be flowing more for the fans," Berry said. "If he gets more people in the stands, wouldn't you rather play in front of a packed house? I'd much rather play in New York in front of 60,000 screaming idiots than play in front of 5,000 screaming idiots."
Houston fans are anxious for a glimpse of the hard-throwing, 6-10 lefthander, and Johnson said the feeling is mutual. In 1989, he made a trip to the Astrodome as a Montreal Expo but did not pitch.
"I know it's a pitcher's park," said Johnson, 34, the American League Cy Young Award winner in 1995. "I'm looking forward to pitching there and pitching in front of the fans."
Second baseman Craig Biggio realizes much of the excitement is generated by Johnson but said it doesn't hurt that the Astros (68-46) hold a 4 1/2-game lead in the NL Central.
"I'd like to think it's a combination of Randy pitching and the team playing well," Biggio said. "The crowds for the rest of the year should be some pretty good ones in my eyes. There shouldn't be a reason not to see some huge crowds the rest of the season at home games -- even during the middle of the week."
Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr., who purchased the team in 1993, said the level of excitement surrounding Johnson's arrival is similar to Ryan's return, last year's division-clinching game against the Chicago Cubs and the divisional playoff with Atlanta -- the first postseason baseball game in Houston since 1986.
"It's captured the imagination of the fans," McLane said. "They idolize Nolan Ryan and love Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. But no one can dominate a game like a pitcher. He can just electrify the fans."
And motivate a clubhouse. Many of the Astros stayed up past last Friday's non-waiver trading deadline and understandably were shocked when the news of the Johnson trade went public. First-round playoff outcasts a year ago, the Astros suddenly were being mentioned in the same breath as ... the World Series.
Come October, Johnson's impact could go beyond the box office.
"Once we got Randy, the expectations went up," Bogar said. "I think they (the fans) expected us to make the playoffs, but now they expect us to do something. This is the first chance for everybody to see Randy pitch, so I can understand the excitement. I hope after two weeks it doesn't go away."
Source: The Houston Chronicle, 9:52 PM 8/6/1998
Geography and Climate
Located on the coastal prairies of Southeast Texas, Houston is home to a diverse set of industries and cultures. Situated 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the climate is moderate and ideally suited for year round activities. Often referred to as "The Bayou City," the landscape and climate have more in common with neighboring southern Louisiana than the arid western regions people usually associate with the state of Texas. Although the terrain may differ, the people in the City of Houston are 100 percent Texan in their approach to life and economic development!
Founded in 1836 by the Allen brothers (Augustus C. and John K.) Houston is currently the seat of Harris County, Texas. Present day city limits cover the majority of Harris county with extensions into both Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Counties adjacent to the city include Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty and Chambers.
The climate in Houston is moderate with temperatures ranging between 32 degrees (20 days per year) and 90 degrees (95 days per year). This makes for a growing season of nearly 300 days per year with a minimal risk of frost damage to plants. Precipitation averages nearly 50 inches per year and snowfall is rarely recorded.
Population
Recent census data shows Houston to be the fourth largest city in the United States with the greater Houston metropolitan area ranking tenth. Within city limits, the population is estimated at nearly 1.8 million with the greater Houston area containing 4 million inhabitants. This population base includes a wide variety of racial and ethnic groups that give Houston a rich diversity and cosmopolitan feel.
Economy
Until recent times, Houston's economy was largely based on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. In 1982, the Houston economy suffered a major recession as a result of depressed global oil prices. The subsequent recovery and expansion was the result of diversification away from these traditional Houston industries. This economic diversification includes growth in high technology industries, medical research, health care and professional services.
Today, the Houston economy is based on a broad spectrum of industries including:
Houston is home to many businesses including corporate headquarters for 15 of the Fortune 500 companies. In addition, many foreign countries and corporations have established a presence in Houston to access North American markets via the city's excellent distribution facilities. Unknown to many people, the Port of Houston ranks eighth in the world in terms of shipping tonnage and first in the United States in terms of foreign tonnage.
Government and Transportation
In addition to a moderate climate and diverse economic base, Houston provides a modern and efficient infrastructure for people working and doing business in the city. This includes a local government that encourages business development, high-capacity freeways, major rail lines, the Port of Houston, three major airports and telecommunication services that are state of the art.
The City of Houston is administered by a Mayor-Council form of government that includes the Mayor, fourteen council members and a City Controller. The sales tax rate within the city is 8.25% and no state or local income taxes are levied. Other taxation includes ad valorem, corporate fees, franchise fees and sales/use taxes.
Houston boasts one of the finest highway systems in North America today and unlike other major metropolitan areas, Houston freeways continue moving even during rush hour! Two interstate highways (I-10 and I-45) intersect in downtown Houston giving the city easy access to all points of the compass. Major highways located in Houston include:
The major freeways provide High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and the installation of an intelligent vehicle highway system for the city is nearing completion. This state-of-the-art-system monitors freeway activity and meters traffic for optimal flow.
Bus service is provided by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) operating over 1,000 buses on more than 120 routes throughout the greater Houston area. On average, METRO safely transports over 250,000 riders per day and is ranked nineth in the United States in terms of size.
Other ground transportation in Houston includes over 600 motor freight lines and several major railroad operations. Main line railroads operating in Houston include the Burlington Northern, Union Pacific, Sante Fe and Southern Pacific. Switching lines include the Houston Belt & Terminal Railway and the Port Terminal Railroad Association.
Houston is also a major terminus for underground liquid and gas pipelines for the North American continent. Four of the ten major liquid pipeline companies are headquartered in Houston as well as ten of the twenty major gas pipeline companies. These pipelines transport a variety of finished products and feed-stocks to consumers throughout America.
The Houston Ship Channel is a 52-mile inland waterway that connects Houston to the Bay of Galveston, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, the Gulf of Mexico and ultimately the major shipping lanes of the world. The wharves and transfer facilities lining the Houston Ship Channel collectively form the Port of Houston, which ranks eighth in the world in terms of tonnage handled. With over 100 wharves and more than 60 steamship lines in operation, the Port of Houston is well equipped to transfer a variety of materials. These materials include container freight, bulk liquids, agricultural stocks and finished goods such as automobiles. Both domestic and international ships ply the waters of the Ship Channel and numerous free trade zones exist for duty-free transfer of cargo between ships.
Air transportation in Houston is handled by three major airports including Intercontinental (22 miles north), Houston Hobby (9 miles SE) and Ellington Field (14 Miles SE). Combined, these airports have more than ten international carriers, nearly ten domestic airlines and over ten cargo lines with regularly scheduled flights. The general/corporate aviation community has access to over 30 public airports with active Fixed Base Operators present on a majority of the fields. All of the major airports are connected to Houston via public and private ground transportation.
Communications
State-of-the-art transmission facilities are available in the city of Houston for voice and data communications. Local exchange service is provided by Southwestern Bell and the 1.5 million users in the Houston area represent their largest market. Houston is also a leader in the deployment of the latest digital technologies including ISDN (central offices have ISDN switches installed) and SONET. Major interexchange carriers in the Houston area include AT&T, MCI, US Sprint and WilTel. These organizations, in concert with other providers, are well prepared to meet the voice and data networking needs of the Houston community well into the next century.
News and entertainment are provided by a variety of print and broadcast services in the city. In addition to a daily newspaper (The Houston Chronicle), a multitude of weekly and monthly publications are produced for specialized and regional interests. Broadcast services include more than 20 AM radio stations, over 30 FM stations and more than 10 television stations. The format of the AM radio market is typically devoted to news, talk shows and Spanish programming (talk & music). All formats are covered in the FM market including popular music, public radio, religious programming, Spanish programming and user supported stations. The television market represents all of the major networks as well as several independent broadcasters focused on news formats and home shopping. A majority of the greater Houston area is serviced by cable television and the main service providers include Warner, TCI and Prime.
Education and Health Care
Public education within the core of the city is provided by the Houston Independent School District (HISD). This district operates nearly 250 schools and is considered the fifth largest district in the United States today. In addition to HISD, over 20 independent school districts exist to service the needs of the greater Houston area. In terms of higher education, the greater Houston area is home to over 30 colleges and universities. Major institutions include Rice University, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Houston Baptist University, and the University of Texas and Baylor University medical schools.
Health care within the Houston metroplex is state of the art and people travel from around the globe to obtain services. Within the 15-county area surrounding Houston, over 100 hospitals are in operation with more than 50 of these located in the city. Many of these facilities are concentrated in the Texas Medical Center, a non-profit organization devoted to health education, research and patient care. Located just south of downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center offers world-class facilities for general and specialized medical needs. Over 30 organizations maintain teaching, diagnostic and care facilities within the center.
City Life in Houston
With its temperate climate and affordable cost of living, Houston has much to offer visitors and people living in the city. In general, the cost of living is about 10 percent lower than the United States and overall housing costs are 20 percent lower. Houston also offers some of the least expensive and modern office space in the country.
Cultural attractions in the city include a thriving theater district and numerous museums. Houston's theater district includes the Wortham Center (ballet and opera), Jones Hall (symphony), The Alley (live theater) and the Music Hall (Broadway productions). All of these companies have mounted productions that are considered world class by experts in the field. Museums in the Houston area cover fine arts, natural science, historical topics, the space center and many other fields of interest.
Covered with lush vegetation, Houston is an ideal location for parks and outdoor recreational facilities. The city maintains more than 300 municipal parks and over 120 open spaces. In addition, the city provides seven golf courses (18-hole) and operates a modern zoological garden for public use.
Houston is also home to numerous professional and collegiate sports teams. Professional teams include baseball (Astros), basketball (Rockets), hockey (Aeros) and soccer (Hotshots). On the college level, the University of Houston and Rice University field teams for all major NCAA sports. In terms of personal sports, the greater Houston area offers over 100 golf courses including a public Tour-18 facility. With the diverse population base in Houston, almost all sporting and hobby interests are represented in the greater Houston area. The moderate climate is conducive to a variety of outdoor activities including tennis, golf, water sports (i.e. boating, sailing, diving, skiing, etc.), cycling and running.
The diverse population base in Houston has also given rise to a variety of religious organizations in the city. All major denominations are represented as testified to by 17 pages of Yellow Page listings for places of worship.
Few metropolitan areas can offer the quality and variety of restaurants available in the greater Houston area. More than 30 different national and regional categories are represented by nearly 3,000 food serving establishments in the city. Regional specialties include Tex-Mex, Cajun, seafood and traditional Texas fare. National and international categories include Continental and entrees from around the world prepared in authentic fashion. A common lament of people moving away from the city is how much they miss the food of the region. Simply stated - Houston is a terrific town for dining!
In terms of conventions, Houston is host to over 300 events per year in a variety of modern facilities. These facilities include the George R. Brown Convention Center, AstroDomain complex and the Summit. The George R. Brown Center is located in downtown Houston and provides 450,000 square feet of exhibition space. The AstroDomain complex consists of the Astrodome (home of the Astros), Astro hall and Astro arena facilities. This complex hosts numerous industrial trade shows each year and is home to the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest event of this type in the world. The Summit (home of the Rockets) is also available for conventions and other concert events. Detailed information regarding conventions and scheduling may be obtained from the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling 713-227-3100.
Houston Gets CART Race in '98
The City of Houston, Texaco, Inc. and Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) have agreed in principle to stage a major international auto race, The Texaco Grand Prix of Houston, on the streets of downtown Houston beginning Oct. 4, 1998. The agreement calls for the race to be held annually through the year 2003.
Anchored by the George R. Brown Convention Center, downtown Houston will be the setting of this exciting, premier grand prix and a series of support races. The race will be sanctioned by CART, an open-wheel Indy car series featuring 900-horsepower cars capable of speeds in excess of 230 miles per hour.
The 1.68-mile street course will have 10 turns — traveling in front of the Convention Center on Chenevert and as far out as Clay, Austin and Capitol streets. This location provides an ideal backdrop to showcase the city for an international television audience in 188 countries, while minimizing traffic flow disruptions.
Management of the event will be under the auspices of Texaco Houston Grand Prix LLC, a joint venture between Texaco, Inc. and Carl Haas. In addition to The Texaco Grand Prix of Houston, Haas is the race organizer at the historic Milwaukee (Wis.) Mile, and is an owner/director of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Houston (former) Mayor Bob Lanier said, "Houston's stunning skyline and the George R. Brown Convention Center will be fantastic backdrops for this premier race. The television exposure will help drive home the improvements Houston has made in downtown revitalization. I appreciate the efforts of Texaco and the Newman/Haas organization to bring this great event to Houston in first-class style."
Glenn F. Tilton, Senior Vice President of Texaco, Inc. and President of Texaco's Global Business Unit, said, "Texaco is proud to sponsor this premier event in the City of Houston. It lets us give something back to a community that has been important to our company and home to many Texaco employees for decades. Partnering with Carl Haas on this project will ensure that the Grand Prix exceeds everyone's expectations."
Carl Haas said, "Houston will be one of the finest city street race layouts ever. The natural boundaries formed by the George R. Brown Convention Center and City Skyline, combined with the wide streets and park settings inside the circuit, will create a unique ambiance and atmosphere, as well as provide a layout for competitive racing."
CART will state a total of 19 races on four continents in 1998 — a mix of oval tracks, road circuits and street courses — in its PPG CART World Series. In addition to Houston, street races will be held in Detroit; Long Beach, Calif.; Toronto and Vancouver, Canada; and Queensland, Australia.
Andrew Craig, President and Chief Executive Officer of CART, said "Houston is the type of market we desire to compete in on an annual basis; it's a world-class city and our series is truly international in scope. Twelve countries, encompassing five continents, are represented in our owner and driver ranks. This meshes well within the cultural diversity of a multi-ethnic city like Houston. I believe this event has the potential to quickly become one of our premier venues."
In addition to the CART Indy car race, The Texaco Grand Prix of Houston will feature several support events. Also planned for the week leading up to the race are a pro-am style golf tournament and a charity ball, among other activities.
The George R. Brown Convention Center will serve as headquarters for the event. All competing teams will be paddocked on the Center's 375,000 square foot first level. The upper levels of the Convention Center will house everything from race control and a media center to VIP hospitality accomodations. Pit lane of the race circuit will be constructed directly in front of the center.
The agreement in principle between the City of Houston and Texaco Houston Grand Prix LLC to hold the event is subject to final contract terms and City Council approval.
Tickets to the event will go on sale soon. The organizers also expect to open a sales office in downtown Houston in the near future. For information regarding tickets, corporate hospitality and sponsorship, call (281) 820-8378.
For More Information
Addtional information regarding commerce, conventions and tourism in the City of Houston may be obtained from the following sources:
