Plans were to name the downtown stadium Fiesta Dome, officials announced 34 years ago this week in San Antonio history.
The Alamodome , an indoor multipurpose stadium that has hosted rock concerts, football games, high school graduations and San Antonio Spurs games, including the team’s first run at an NBA title, almost didn’t have a name so strongly associated with the Alamo City .
Plans were to name the downtown stadium Fiesta Dome, officials announced 34 years ago this week in San Antonio history. After voters approved a five-year tax for the stadium in 1989, the structure was referred to as the Alamodome by those working on the project and by the community that would one day fill it. Not just a placeholder title, Alamodome became the top choice in a “Name the Dome” contest held while construction of the 65,000-seat venue was being planned in early 1990. Other top choices were Megadome and Fiesta Dome, news archives show. ALSO READ: Where to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in San Antonio On Oct. 30, 1990, officials with VIA Metropolitan Transit, which was authorized under a state law to collect the tax and build the dome in a partnership with the city, announced the stadium would bear the Fiesta Dome name. The Alamodome name couldn’t be used, officials said, because a local group operating under the moniker Alamo Dome Cos. had registered the name for trademark purposes after voters approved the stadium tax the previous year. The group wanted to design and sell T-shirts and other merchandise with an Alamodome name and logo, archives show. Adding to the name drama were officials with college football’s Fiesta Bowl concerned Fiesta Dome would be confused with their event. For 10 days in the fall of 1990, the stadium went by Fiesta Dome. Then, on Nov. 9, 1990, the name issue was settled when the city, including Mayor Lila Cockrell, and Alamo Dome Cos. reached an agreement that allowed the Alamodome moniker to be used. The company would release its trademark in exchange for a license to sell its merchandise through 1991, with 10 percent of sales being returned to the dome’s construction fund, newspaper archives show. Ground was broken on the stadium on Nov. 5, 1990, on the site of the former Alamo Iron Works and its adjacent property, just east of Interstate 37. The Alamodome, which cost $186 million to build, opened to the public on May 15, 1993. The venue hosted its first big event — a sold-out Paul McCartney concert — on May 29, 1993. ALSO READ: Mayhem erupted when Menudo visited Ingram Park Mall 36 years ago this week in San Antonio history Also this week in San Antonio history, North Star Mall officially unveiled a new wing on Oct. 31, 1986. The new addition included the upscale department store Marshall Field’s, according to San Antonio Public Library archives. And on Oct. 27, 1938, the Sears downtown store moved from the Transit Tower to its new location at Romana Plaza, where the Central Library is today, according to historical records. In entertainment history, a little-known country singer named Garth Brooks performed at Gruene Hall on Oct. 28, 1989. Better-known country act Shenandoah performed the same night at Blue Bonnet Palace in Selma. At the time, the band was enjoying the success of its 1988 album “The Road Not Taken.” And the popular rock band the Eagles brought their “Hotel California” tour to the Convention Center Arena on Nov. 2, 1976, library archives show.
NBA San Antonio Spurs Eagles Fiesta Dome Alamo Dome Cos. Sears Lila Cockrell Garth Brooks Menudo Paul Mccartney Alamodome San Antonio Romana Plaza Marshall Field's Alamo City Central Library Megadome San Antonio Public Library North Star Mall Transit Tower Gruene Hall Blue Bonnet Palace Selma The Road Not Taken Convention Center Arena Ingram Park Mall Shenandoah Interstate 37 Native American Heritage Month Fiesta Bowl Fiesta Dome Name The Dome Hotel California Alamo Iron Works
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Antonio man running from D.C. to San Antonio to raise awareness around substance abuseA San Antonio man is undertaking an ambitious cross-country run to raise money and awareness for families struggling with substance abuse.
Read more »
117 seniors selected for San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game at the AlamodomeRosters were revealed Tuesday for the 47th San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game.
Read more »
Shakira's San Antonio concert moving to AlamodomeTickets go on sale at noon Friday for June 13 concert. Upcoming stop at Frost Bank Center has been canceled.
Read more »
Clasico Regio at the Alamodome, Part 6On Oct. 12, the Alamodome hosted the historic first-ever Clásico Regio in San Antonio.
Read more »
Clasico Regio at the Alamodome, Part 4On Oct. 12, the Alamodome hosted the historic first-ever Clásico Regio in San Antonio.
Read more »
Billy Joel's Alamodome concert a grand slam with San Antonio fansThe Rock and Roll Hall of Famer connected with all of his hits, some obscurities, jokes and Sting.
Read more »