AEG cites progress on Dynamo stadium front

[MLS] At a press conference Tuesday, Anschutz Entertainment Group president and CEO Tim Leiweke provided an update onplans to build a stadium for the Houston Dynamo.
 
Construction is projected to begin on an $80 million stadium project in downtown Houston by the end of 2010, with the team scheduledto begin playing in the facility by the start of the 2012 MLS season. Negotiations are ongoing with the Harris County/Houston Sports Authority regarding a lease and AEG, which jointly owns the teamalong a consortium led by businessman Gabriel Brener and boxer Oscar De La Hoya, is seeking financing from potentialpartners.
 
“Substantial progress has been made over recent weeks, and we are confident that these partnerships will be finalized soon,” said Leiweke in a team pressrelease. “Our timeline is aggressive, and our focus is clear.”
 
Populous has been hired as the project’s lead architect, and bids are being accepted from generalcontractors. ICON Venue Services has been hired as project manager.
 
The stadium capacity will be approximately 22,000. It will be the home field for the Dynamo and Texas SouthernUniversity football games. In April, the Harris County commissioners voted approval of a plan to build on a 30-acre parcel east of Minute Maid Park, home of the Major League Baseball HoustonAstros.