The Houston Astros are planning renovations to Minute Maid Park, including upgrades in the right-field corner and a new season ticket holders club.
Some upcoming improvements to Minute Maid Park will result in existing areas of the facility being converted for another purpose. Six suites on the ballpark’s third-base side will be re-purposed into a larger area that caters to season ticket members, with the space to feature table seating and food and beverage service. Changes in right field will affect the second deck, where some existing seating will be removed to make way for new food and beverage service, along with a staircase that includes standing room space.
Upcoming renovations are currently estimated to cost $25 million, and will be paid for by the Astros. Certain details still need to be finalized, but the planning process moved forward after Harris County Houston Sports Authority directors signed off on the proposed changes to the publicly owned Minute Maid Park on Thursday. More from the Houston Chronicle:
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.
Changes to right field could be similar to a previous upgrade at Minute Maid Park, as the Astros removed Tal’s Hill before the 2017 season as part of a project that included a new center-field social space with food and beverage options. Last year, the Astros secured a Minute Maid Park lease extension through the 2050 season that is expected to help facilitate future upgrades to the ballpark, which originally opened in 2000.