Let it rut where it sits, if someone wants to renovate, let them do it, but not with taxpayers’ money.
Timeline:
The Republican-controlled commissioners asked the voters to decide. Surprisingly, the voters chose not to invest in renovating the Astrodome. But Republicans, being Republicans, agreed they would not demolish the building; instead, they decided to have it designated a historic structure. They made that choice; let us see whether that historic structure will endure as long as the Pyramids of Egypt or the Colosseum in Rome.
In November 2013, Harris County voters rejected a bond proposal to fund a $217 million renovation of the Astrodome, which initially made its demolition seem likely.
However, voters did not vote directly to demolish the structure. Instead, they voted against the only publicly funded plan to save and repurpose it at the time. Following the vote, the Harris County Commissioners Court ultimately decided against demolition and, in 2018, approved a $105 million renovation plan to convert the Astrodome into an event space.
- Voter Referendum (2013): The ballot measure (Proposition 2) asked voters to approve up to $217 million in bonds to transform the Astrodome into a massive convention and exhibition center. Voters rejected this measure by a 53% to 47% margin.
- Initial Aftermath: County officials, including County Judge Ed Emmett, suggested that demolition was the only remaining option if the bond failed, as no other viable, funded private proposals were available at the time.
- A Change in Plans: Despite the initial threats of demolition, the Astrodome was listed on the National Historic Site Registry, which complicated and discouraged complete demolition. The Harris County Commissioners Court voted in September 2016 and again in February 2018 to proceed with a less expensive, taxpayer-funded renovation project without seeking further voter approval.
That renovation has not occurred, nor should it. They should have done what the voters wanted: demolish the building. Maybe in a thousand years, tourists will come to visit one of the wonders of the world. Yeah!
Harris County has received cost estimates for two potential futures for the Astrodome: a $752.6 million renovation or a $55 million demolition. County officials released the figures Friday as part of ongoing efforts to determine what to do with the iconic but vacant structure at NRG Park.
The renovation option would restore the Astrodome to basic operational functionality, addressing necessary improvements like plumbing and HVAC systems to allow safe occupancy. However, the approach does not include full historic preservation or upgrades to meet modern venue standards, and the facility would still not be suitable to host large-scale collegiate or professional sporting events. The estimated cost is $752,576,133.