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Houston’s iconic Astrodome could return not just as an entertainment venue space

HOUSTON – Ever since the Astrodome closed in 2009, Houston residents have wondered what would become of the state’s iconic structure. Now, the Astrodome Conservancy has revealed a new plan to bring the historic venue back to life.

But what exactly does that plan involve?

“Vision: Astrodome” – A Bold New Future

The redevelopment project, called “Vision: Astrodome,” aims to transform the legendary space into a global entertainment destination at the heart of NRG Park. The vision includes a total of 450,000 square feet of revenue-generating space beneath the Astrodome’s iconic roof.

Shawn Stephens, a member of the Astrodome Conservancy Board of Directors, shared his enthusiasm for the project:

“Oh, I am super excited about it. I think it’s incredibly viable. I think it brings tourism dollars to Houston. I think it brings investment dollars to Houston. And I think it brings historic tax credits to Houston and Harris County that didn’t exist with any prior plan. I think this city within the dome is fantastic. It gives people the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors inside in air-conditioned comfort, which in Houston is pretty great. I’m really excited about it,” she said.

Plans for a New “City Within the Dome”

The Astrodome has been sitting vacant for over 15 years, but the new plan aims to revitalize the space. A recent press conference revealed ambitious plans that include a flexible event arena at the center, surrounded by new buildings for restaurants, shops, offices, and hotel space.

The Astrodome, known worldwide as a groundbreaking architectural marvel, holds even greater significance for those connected to its past. Mason Hunt, another board member, emphasized the personal connection his family has to the structure:

“My great-grandfather, R. E. Bob Smith, was instrumental in building the Astrodome, along with Roy Hoffmeister, Craig Coleman, and George Kirksey,” he said.

A Hub for Events, Dining, and More

The redevelopment design features a Highline-inspired boulevard to connect visitors to nearby facilities, expanded parking, and additional service areas.

Jerry Alexander, one of the project’s designers, highlighted the need for such upgrades in a major city like Houston

“It is becoming essential in the sports climate. So, in the Battery in Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks built a great piece under theirs. It’s essential to build a thriving kind of economic community that goes with our sports venues because the sports venues only serve our population every so often, you know, and during specific times. So, it’s really important that you add all of these additional uses so that we can get the most out of these venues and these attractions,” he said.

The Price Tag: $1 Billion

The full redevelopment of the Astrodome, along with all the new spaces and attractions, is estimated to cost around $1 billion.

Ryan Levasseur says the conservancy aims to rely on a mix of private investment and public-private partnership.

“We are solid with this, and the billion dollars is reflective of a very compelling design. And also, yes, numbers are scary. This is an investment, not a contribution, right? This isn’t just cost-based, this is investment-based. And so when you think about an arena and commercial real estate and all the different tools that can be leveraged for this great historic structure, it starts to be very compelling as an investment opportunity for both the public and private sectors,” he said.

Opposition by Key Stakeholders

While supporters are excited about the prospect, not everyone is on board.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo expressed concerns, issuing a statement:

The proposed plan by the Astrodome Conservancy does not align with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s strategic vision and operational requirements. The Rodeo, Texans, and Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) have been working on plans for NRG Park’s future. We are actively participating in Park studies and comprehensive analyses regarding the future of NRG Park. These studies are crucial as we acknowledge that a significant amount of work and funding is needed for the three facilities that the Rodeo uses: NRG Stadium, NRG Center, and NRG Arena. As the only tenant that uses all three of these buildings at NRG Park, we recognize and must address these critical facility issues. We believe the total cost of deferred, current, and future maintenance and capital improvements for these facilities is well over a billion dollars. Addressing the current buildings is our priority and is vital to enhancing our guest experience and ensuring the event’s continued growth.

Statement from Harris County Sports and Convention Corp:

“We respect the efforts of the Astrodome Conservancy and have seen their proposed concept. Over the last few years, we have seen several concepts that, while thought-provoking, haven’t resulted in viable funding and maintenance solutions. We are currently working with Harris County and a team of industry-leading experts to plan for the future of NRG Park. The solution for the Astrodome must be decided within that context. In addition, we cannot consider any future vision for NRG Park without first understanding certain baseline financial information related to the Astrodome. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation is in the process of obtaining data to use in evaluating proposed plans. This critical information will provide us with the most viable path forward, ensuring NRG Park continues to meet the needs of its stakeholders and the public for now, and for the future.We are taking this approach because we are accountable to the public. Accurate and data driven information on financial costs and maintenance will inform responsible, realistic decisions that will eventually involve taxpayer dollars.”

PREVIOUS: What’s next for the Astrodome?

Unlike previous attempts, to revive the Astrodome, this new plan includes revenue-generated structures: a space for tenants, an office, and a hotel. It also included an arena, event, and entertainment venue space along with an area for food and beverage. Most importantly it preserves the Astrodome space.

To date, the conservancy has raised and invested more than $3 million (and counting) of private dollars to advance its mission.

RELATED: What happened to potential plans for the Astrodome?

SEE ALSO: How Houston’s iconic River Oaks Theatre got its own reboot

Officials said they also envision a dynamic redevelopment program, but the next step is to show this plan to the County and Commissioners. 86 percent of the people surveyed said they want to keep the Astrodome.


About the Authors
Re'Chelle Turner headshot

Emmy award-winning journalist born and raised in Alabama. College football fanatic and snow cone lover! Passionate about connecting with the community to find stories that matter.

Ahmed Humble headshot

Historian, educator, writer, expert on "The Simpsons," amateur photographer, essayist, film & tv reviewer and race/religious identity scholar. Joined KPRC 2 in Spring 2024 but has been featured in various online newspapers and in the Journal of South Texas' Fall 2019 issue.

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