Houston: The Enron Tour

By Roy B. White

These are painful times for Houston. Not only must it watch as former executives of Enron, the once celebrated hometown company, turn on one another, take the Fifth or claim memory loss before Congress, the city must also figure out how, after being so marked by Enron's presence, to cope after the disgrace. A guide to Enron's Houston.

--By Roy B. White

1 ENRON HEADQUARTERS There are fewer employees, but restaurants are still crowded. Its unfinished $339 million tower next door is in the process of being leased to other firms.

2 ENRON FIELD The Houston Astros have filed a motion to force Enron to give up its 30-year, $100 million naming rights to the team's home stadium.

3 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS The cultural hot spot played host to a Star Wars exhibition last year, which Enron sponsored. Such support will be missed.

4 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON Kenneth Lay, his family foundation and Enron have donated $5.2 million since 1982. The school has given out Enron Teaching Excellence Awards since 1993.

5 BAKER INSTITUTE The public-policy school at Rice University awards the Enron Prize for Distinguished Public Service. Last year's recipient: Alan Greenspan.

6 KEN LAY'S HOUSE The former Enron boss's principal abode is a $7.1 million high-rise condo. If the Lays file for bankruptcy, Texas law will let them keep it. Sure beats a 401(k).

7 BP MS 150 BIKE TOUR Enron was a top fund raiser for this annual event, a ride from Houston to Austin, sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

8 ENRON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB The club, which offers after-school programs for youth, stopped getting payments from its sponsor in December. Local entrepreneur Michael Holthouse has stepped in with a pledge of $1 million over five years.