$25M renovation approved
Minute Maid Park suite and right field changes will reduce seating capacity
Harris County Houston Sports Authority directors approved plans Thursday for a $25 million renovation at Minute Maid Park, to be paid for by the Astros, that will include a new club for season ticket holders on the stadium’s suite level and changes in the right field corner resembling the recent center field renovations, including another open-access staircase between stadium levels.
Reid Ryan, the team’s president for business operations, said the renovations will take place alongside previously announced plans to renovate the suite level, which has not been substantially changed since the stadium opened in 2000.
While some details remain to be finalized, Ryan said the renovations will result in a reduction to Minute Maid’s total seating capacity.
“We’re excited that we got approval to move forward with the new additions, and we will have detailed plans for the public before the end of the season,” Ryan said.
The season ticket membership club will be located in an area now occupied by six suites on the third base side of the ballpark near the scoreboard control room. It initially will be open to season ticket holders who purchase a membership and will include table and high top seating with food and drink service.
The right field upgrades, which will result in the removal of some second deck seats, will include what Ryan described as premium food and bar service and a staircase that will include standing room space, similar to the center field area that was renovated in 2018.
Kenny Friedman, chairman of the sports authority, said Thursday’s vote was in keeping with past instances when the Astros have sought permission to make changes to the publicly owned stadium.
“We at the sports authority are happy that they are such great stewards of our stadium,” Friedman said. “They have done an outstanding job of maintaining and keeping it state of the art. We’re proud of the stadium and proud of our tenants.”