There are endless design possibilities as to what can be done with the actual structure/building... The age-old question still remains... why will people go to that part of the city or go on the NRG park property to go to this place, and no project goes forward without the Texans/Rodeo getting their share of the profits. A Texans/Rodeo hotel space would probably get some use for those events... and other big events... but would be hard pressed to have people choose to stay there without a lot of other development or walkable areas right around it.
Just tear it down for goodness sake, would rather spend the $1B on a new stadium that will do everything they are trying to accomplish with the Dome space plus everything else. Texans will need a new stadium eventually, it is getting to be quite dated. Tear down the Dome, then build a new stadium in its place.
Here is a statement about the plans. ABC 13 just had some drawings of it on their 11 am Broadcast, so the images are out there and just need to be found. ASTRODOME CONSERVANCY UNVEILS BOLD VISION FOR REDEVELOPMENT HOUSTON — The Astrodome Conservancy unveiled Vision: Astrodome to the people of Houston and Harris County today. Vision: Astrodome is an innovative and viable redevelopment concept that answers the question of what to do with the landmark Astrodome. Despite its architectural, engineering, and cultural significance, the Astrodome has sat idle for more than 15 years. The Astrodome Conservancy’s vision seeks to breathe new life into this marvel, preserving its legacy while ensuring it serves future generations. “The Astrodome can and should be the heartbeat of a new, global entertainment destination at NRG Park,” said Judy Nyquist, a founding board member of the Conservancy. “It will serve as an exciting catalyst for future development in and around the Park." In 2023, the Astrodome Conservancy engaged Gensler Architects to create a vision for the Astrodome. The design creates 450,000 square feet of revenue-generating space, ringing a new event floor under the iconic roof of the Astrodome. Vision: Astrodome conceptualizes four state-of-the-art buildings inside the Astrodome, featuring flexible arena space for events and entertainment at its center, surrounded by restaurants, retail, office and commercial, hospitality, and cultural spaces. A sweeping, dynamic boulevard, inspired by New York City’s Highline, moves people through the Dome while connecting adjacent facilities within NRG Park. Additional parking, storage, service, and animal handling facilities located beneath a new ground floor serve the needs of Harris County and the two primary tenants of the park. The design incorporated restoration of significant historic features, the creation of new community spaces, sustainability and public-private partnerships. “The Conservancy is in the unique position to take the lead on this issue because we understand the opportunities, challenges, advantages, and encumbrances facing the iconic Astrodome better than any other entity,” said Beth Wiedower Jackson, Executive Director. “We aim to bring Harris County, the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the public together to find a solution that benefits all and ensures a bright future for our beloved landmark Astrodome.” More than 86% of respondents to a 2020 “Future Dome” public engagement survey commissioned by the Conservancy believe that we can and should reuse the Dome, and 81% said that there should be public dollars to support it. To support Vision: Astrodome, the Conservancy has commissioned a feasibility study to demonstrate the economic and operational viability of the redevelopment concept, while also identifying and bringing private and nontraditional funding resources to an Astrodome redevelopment project. “We are confident that because of the Astrodome’s designation as a historic landmark, an Astrodome redevelopment can leverage significant private dollars - dollars that are not available for new construction or other improvements to NRG Park - to minimize public investment. We can create a successful public-private partnership to ensure this Houston treasure will have a bright future,” said Phoebe Tudor, Astrodome Conservancy Chairman. To support the Astrodome Conservancy and redevelopment of the iconic Dome, visit Change.org and send a message to Harris County Commissioners. “With the right investment and community support, we can turn this vision into reality,” said Wiedower Jackson.
I would save the roof to repurpose but the cost would be outrageous. Really sad that it just sits there year after year. For those of us who lost our sports virginity in the dome we need to save it.
Do a lottery where 10 Harris County citizens chosen at random will be allowed to fire rocket launchers at it until it's destroyed. Then do a city works project to clean up the debris. Now, sure, there will be some naysayers. Some people will have issues with the city works project being massively wasteful, the individuals in charge being obscenely corrupt, and with the poor souls who work on the clean up getting all sorts of horrific diseases from exposure to all that junk, but hey, lets be real, it's never going to be some indoor garden utopia. That's just never going to happen. So let's at least have a little fun with the rocket launchers.
It’s just in the wrong place. It’s in the way. Now, if it could just be moved. Pearland could use a large venue.
AUDIO-ANIMATRONIC OLD GUY IN ALL WHITE FROM JURASSIC PARK AT THE ENTRANCE: “WELCOME…TO EARTHQUEST ADVENTURES….”
If they could just tip it onto its side, maybe we could roll it down 288? @Astrodome -- your thoughts? How creaky are your rafters feeling?
If they can move a space shuttle through LA, they can def roll an astrodome. Need torque. @Space Ghost ...we can use a cybertruck to tow. range not an issue, only 12 miles.
There are many things to like about Houston - but one thing I can tell you that certainly sucks about the city of Houston is that it does not save any old buildings, landmarks and doesn't develop appealing community areas or places to go. If the Dome is gone - so be it, but Houston will lag behind places like NYC and Chicago as long as it doesn't preserve it's past or make places for people to go... I say that as someone that was born and bred in Houston and loves Houston dearly.
But Chicago and NYC are much much older and they’ve done their share of tearing stuff down as well…. They just have a lot more options to preserve given their longevity over every other city. Now LA, being more comparable to Houston, has done a slightly better job of preserving/devloping/re-developing…. But that will be a more apt comparison (along with Dallas, Atlanta, and Phoenix). I’ve already given my opinion on this beloved stadium I once was obsessed with…. Right now, it’s like we’re dressing up a corpse and trying to sell it. It’s already been stripped of any nostalgia by just sitting there rotting.
