If you build it, a corporate sponsor will come. This time aroundit’s Houston’s new baseball stadium, and Enron Corp. said last weekit will pay $100 million over 30 years for naming rights to theballpark to be known as Enron Field. Enron Energy Services (EES)also will provide energy management to the facility.

Under the agreement with the Houston Astros, EES will manage theenergy contracts at Enron Field, as well as provide services forheating, ventilation and air conditioning. EES also will administervarious subcontracts for maintenance of all mechanical andelectrical equipment. In addition, Enron agreed to develop aparking garage adjacent to the ballpark, pending local approvals.

“Enron’s ability to provide a total energy and facilitiesmanagement product for sports facilities will help maintain afirst-class ballpark created by the Astros and the Sports Authorityin Downtown Houston,” said Enron CEO Kenneth L. Lay.

Enron has the potential to earn as much as $200 million formanaging energy services over the life of the contract. Theagreement is Enron’s second sports facilities management agreement.In December, EES said it signed a deal to become the exclusiveprovider of electricity and facilities management services for theSan Francisco Giants. EES is the exclusive electricity provider andenergy facilities manager for the Giants through a 10-yearcommodity agreement and a 15-year management contract for PacificBell Park. The two contracts are worth more than $60 million.

“Enron Energy Services’ partnership with the Astros furthervalidates our belief that entertainment facilities, especiallysports stadiums, represent a tremendous opportunity for ourcomprehensive energy and facilities management services,” said LouPai, EES CEO.

Enron Field, which is scheduled to open in April 2000, isleading the revitalization of downtown Houston. The 42,000-seatstadium has been designed as an open-air ballpark with a naturalgrass playing field and the ability to close a retractable roof andair condition the seating bowl.

Planning on 20 to 30% growth of its Houston work force by 2001,Enron in February announced plans for a 40-story office tower on adowntown Houston city block adjacent to its existing 50-storytower.

Joe Fisher, Houston

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