[weegee]

The rent on the Astrodomain (Astrodome and surrounding complex I belive was included) was a nominal figure of $1. That property was rented to the owner of the Houston Astros (and it was still under contract to the team owner when the new baseball field was built miles away from the property).

This goes back over 35 years in team history to the way things were done. Maintenance was a part of that agreement, but guess what, the team owner did not hold up his part of the bargain and the locals had to pay millions in repairs.

How is the Arlington deal different than other cities?

[Ready4Freddy]

"How is the Arlington deal different than other cities?"

The owners of the Rangers will own the stadium, and several hundred acres of prime real estate, lock, stock, and barrel (or, if you prefer, in fee simple :) after 12 years of 'rent to own' payments that will total ~40-45% of what the stadium cost the taxpayers to build. That is highly unusual.

Harris County still owns the Astrodome complex, IIRC.