Editing Six Flags AstroWorld (section)

===Closure and demolition===
The Six Flags acquisition was part of an ambitious Premier Parks purchasing program, which bought 31 amusement parks in four years, including the 12 Six Flags parks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB926461661745486847 |title=Acquisition-Minded Premier Parks Intends to Grow by Thinking Small |author=Welsh, Jonathan |date=May 12, 1999 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 20, 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181036/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB926461661745486847 |url-status=live }}</ref> Burke received a $2&nbsp;million bonus for completing the Six Flags acquisition.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-13-fi-36773-story.html |title=Premier Parks Boosted by Six Flags Chain |author=Reckard, E. Scott |date=May 13, 1999 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181036/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-13-fi-36773-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Six Flags failed to turn a profit for five straight years after the 1998 acquisition, announcing a $122&nbsp;million loss for the first half of 2003;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-23-fi-sixflags23-story.html |title=Dizzying Drops for Six Flags |author=Peltz, James F. |date=August 23, 2003 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181037/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-23-fi-sixflags23-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> capital expenditures began to be scaled back because of its debt load.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=573 |title=Six Flags Looks to Scale Back Expansion |author=Niles, Robert |date=June 30, 2002 |work=Theme Park Insider |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721150642/https://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=573 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2005, Six Flags announced it was selling its chain of parks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/columns/robert/271.cfm |title=Six Flags' New Owners Face a Capital Challenge |author=Niles, Robert |date=September 9, 2005 |work=Theme Park Insider |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721150641/https://www.themeparkinsider.com/columns/robert/271.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref> One month later, on September 12, Burke announced AstroWorld would be closed and demolished at the end of the 2005 season.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 13, 2005|title=Time's up for AstroWorld|work=The Atlanta Constitution|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-times-up-for-a/119579464/|access-date=August 9, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/business/article/Last-ride-AstroWorld-to-close-site-to-be-sold-1946917.php |title=Last ride: AstroWorld to close, site to be sold |date=September 12, 2005 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721150639/https://www.chron.com/business/article/Last-ride-AstroWorld-to-close-site-to-be-sold-1946917.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The company cited issues such as dwindling attendance, rising property value, and conflicts involving off-site parking at [[NRG Stadium|Reliant Stadium]], which houses the [[Houston Texans]] football team and the [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]] (HLSR).<ref name="Look Back-KTRK">{{cite web |title=A look back at Houston's Six Flags AstroWorld |url=https://abc13.com/community-events/a-look-back-at-houstons-six-flags-astroworld/1051306/ |publisher=KTRK-TV |access-date=August 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426192047/https://abc13.com/community-events/a-look-back-at-houstons-six-flags-astroworld/1051306/ |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |date=August 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/09/12/Six-Flags-to-close-AstroWorld/85951126576712/ |title=Six Flags to close AstroWorld |date=September 12, 2005 |work=UPI Archives |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181037/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/09/12/Six-Flags-to-close-AstroWorld/85951126576712/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|date=September 12, 2005|title=Houston's AstroWorld theme park to close|journal=[[Houston Business Journal]]|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|url=http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2005/09/12/daily10.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=March 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322233611/http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2005/09/12/daily10.html}}</ref> In 1997, the combined attendance of AstroWorld and Water World was 2.27&nbsp;million visitors; AstroWorld alone was ranked as the 28th most attended theme park in the United States with 1.99&nbsp;million guests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/0001047469-98-018920.txt |title=Form S-4/A, Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 |author=Premier Parks Inc. |publisher=[[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705234616/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/0001047469-98-018920.txt |url-status=live }}</ref> AstroWorld attendance ranked 35th overall among all theme parks in 2000,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/000100547701002422/0001005477-01-002422-0001.txt |title=Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 |author=Six Flags, Inc. |publisher=[[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930023109/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/000100547701002422/0001005477-01-002422-0001.txt |url-status=live }}</ref> 37th overall in 2002,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/000104746903010157/a2106294z10-k.htm |title=Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 |author=Six Flags, Inc. |publisher=[[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721150639/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/000104746903010157/a2106294z10-k.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> 36th overall in 2003,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/000110465904007213/a04-3302_110k.htm |title=Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 |author=Six Flags, Inc. |publisher=[[United States Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181038/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/701374/000110465904007213/a04-3302_110k.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and 39th overall in 2004, which was eighth among all Six Flags parks in 2004.<ref name=TPI-14/> A contractual agreement that allowed Six Flags patrons to park at Reliant Stadium expired in August 2005, and attempts to extend it failed.<ref name="Parking-HC" /> CFO Jim Dannhauser cited the expired parking arrangement as a "contributing factor" in the decision to close.<ref name="Parking-HC">{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=David |title=For AstroWorld, the ride is over |url=https://www.chron.com/business/article/For-AstroWorld-the-ride-is-over-1936503.php |access-date=August 29, 2020 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=September 13, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517035807/https://www.chron.com/business/article/For-AstroWorld-the-ride-is-over-1936503.php |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Burke later explained in 2014 the decision was based on "[AstroWorld's] condition and location and the costs to modernize&nbsp;... we had big offers pouring in for the land at the time and it just made more sense to close it."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/01-18-14-houstons-theme-park-wars-heat-up-new-competition-spurs-an-old-standby-to-up-its-game/ |title=Houston's theme park wars heat up: New competition spurs an old standby to up its game |author=Rudick, Tyler |date=January 18, 2014 |work=culturemap: Houston |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181038/https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/01-18-14-houstons-theme-park-wars-heat-up-new-competition-spurs-an-old-standby-to-up-its-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The final date of park operation was October&nbsp;30, 2005.<ref name="50th Anniversary-HoustonPress">{{cite news |last1=Tommaney |first1=Susie |title=AstroWorld's 50th Anniversary: A "Magical Time" for the Park's Employees |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/its-been-50-years-since-astroworld-opened-its-doors-in-houston-10495775 |url-status=live |access-date=August 29, 2020 |work=[[Houston Press]] |date=May 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705185347/https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/its-been-50-years-since-astroworld-opened-its-doors-in-houston-10495775 |archive-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Parking-HC" /> Following the closure, most of the park's assets, including rides and equipment, were sold during a three-day public auction held January&nbsp;6–8, 2006.<ref name="Look Back-KTRK" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/business/article/Astroworld-memorabilia-to-go-on-the-auction-block-1886497.php |title=Astroworld memorabilia to go on the auction block |author=Sixel, L. M. |date=January 3, 2006 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214173839/http://www.chron.com/business/article/Astroworld-memorabilia-to-go-on-the-auction-block-1886497.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astroworldauction.com/ |title=Public Auction |archive-date=January 11, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111152732/http://www.astroworldauction.com/ |url-status=dead |publisher=Kenneth Dixon |access-date=July 13, 2021 }}</ref>

[[File:Six Flags Astroworld demolition 1.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Photograph of the Demolition of Six Flags Astroworld in December 2005.|Demolition of Six Flags AstroWorld in December 2005]]
Company executives expected to sell the land for as much as $150&nbsp;million, but ultimately received less than half that amount. After spending $20&nbsp;million to demolish the park and clear the land, Six Flags sold the cleared property for $77&nbsp;million in 2006 to Angel/McIver Interests, a land development firm based in [[Conroe, Texas]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Dawson|first=Jennifer|date=May 11, 2006|title=Local developer to acquire former Astroworld site|journal=Houston Business Journal|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2006/05/08/daily27.html?from_rss=1|url-status=live|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828130643/http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2006/05/08/daily27.html?from_rss=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/business/article/Conroe-based-firm-to-buy-AstroWorld-site-1882111.php |title=Conroe-based firm to buy AstroWorld site |author=sarnoff, Nancy |date=May 11, 2006 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721150639/https://www.chron.com/business/article/Conroe-based-firm-to-buy-AstroWorld-site-1882111.php |url-status=live }}</ref> By that time, Burke had been removed as CEO.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5595671/six-flags-discloses-price-tag-for-amusement-park-leases |title=Six Flags discoloses price tag for amusement park leases |author=Mecoy, Don |date=May 24, 2018 |newspaper=[[The Oklahoman]] |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181036/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5595671/six-flags-discloses-price-tag-for-amusement-park-leases |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, the former Astroworld site was still vacant. The land tract was reported as taking up {{convert|104|acres}}. The land owners hired real estate consultants, Croswell Torian Commercial Properties, to subdivide and market the property to other developers under the "SouthPoint" brand, though no development had yet occurred.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=December 14, 2009|title=What's Next for Astroworld Lot?|url=http://www.click2houston.com/newsarchive/21962931/detail.html#story|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721052727/http://www.click2houston.com/newsarchive/21962931/detail.html#story|archive-date=July 21, 2010|access-date=August 27, 2020|publisher=[[KPRC-TV]]}}</ref> The original {{cvt|110|acre|adj=on}} tract purchased by Hofheinz was reduced by {{convert|8|acre}}: {{convert|5|acres}} were acquired by Harris County Metro and another piece of the tract on the northwest corner sold to a car dealership.<ref name=timesunion/>

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) are the owners of a record-holding {{cvt|102|acre}} of cleared land bounded by West Bellfort Drive, Fannin Street, Kirby Drive, and I-610. The original amusement park site occupied {{cvt|57|acre}} of that. Parts of the tract were developed, and other parts were undeveloped; the HLSR was using some of that property for overflow parking and conveying those visitors over the long pedestrian viaduct, the last remnant of the former amusement park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/AstroWorld-land-13151949.php|title=Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo says AstroWorld land could eventually be redeveloped|last=Hlavaty|first=Craig|date=August 13, 2018|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=March 30, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330212113/https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/AstroWorld-land-13151949.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Though the site includes a great field of grass, the land is stabilized and partly paved with asphalt, so it can be used for parking.<ref name=timesunion>{{cite news | first=Craig | last=Hlavaty | title=See what the Astroworld site looks like 50 years after the park opened | url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/See-what-the-Astroworld-site-looks-like-50-years-12954611.php | date=June 4, 2018 | work=San Antonio Times Union | access-date=August 31, 2020 | archive-date=July 19, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719013812/https://www.timesunion.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/See-what-the-Astroworld-site-looks-like-50-years-12954611.php | url-status=live }}</ref>