HOUSTON—Dressed faithfully in orange, dozens of Dynamo fans gathered in downtown Houston Saturday afternoon, united by one battle cry.
“Let them build, let them build,” they chanted in unison.
Beating drums and waving large signs, the group called attention to the empty 12-acre tract of land where they stood, the proposed site for the Dynamo’s future stadium.
“I’m from the East End and I support the stadium all the way,” said Jeremiah Gallegos.
He and his friends describe themselves as passionate fans of Houston’s major league soccer team and say they rarely miss a game.
He and his friends describe themselves as passionate fans of Houston’s major league soccer team and say they rarely miss a game.
“We don’t sit in our seats. We stand up the whole 90 minutes, singing our hearts out,” he said.
Plans to build the downtown stadium, though, have stalled for months, leaving the team’s future in jeopardy.
The Dynamo has pledged to spend $60 million for the project. The city of Houston has committed another $10 million.
Harris County commissioners, though, have not yet agreed to paying their proposed portion of the deal – the final $10 million – and it’s still not clear why.
“We haven’t gotten any straight answers from our commissioner’s court,” said Diane Barber, who lives in the East End.
Some fans have blamed Commissioner El Franco Lee for blocking the deal. So far, he has refused to comment on his position.
“Franco needs to respond to the Dynamo fans,” said Gallegos.
In the East End, many neighbors have openly backed the stadium’s construction, believing it could bring a much needed economic boost to the area.
“It’s an eyesore to come down Harrisburg,” said Gallegos.
He just hopes someone is hearing the outcry.
“We’re gonna’ do it until we get a new stadium,” he said.
