Astrodome Conservancy to unveil new idea for famed Houston stadium – Houston Public Media
Despite being condemned in 2009, the Astrodome could soon receive a new lease on life with the Astrodome Conservancy scheduled to announce a new vision for the historic landmark on Wednesday.
Little was known Tuesday about what the plan might entail, with the conservancy only stating on its website that it is seeking feedback, input and support for the reuse of the venue.
The Astrodome was the first domed and air-conditioned stadium, earning it the nickname of "Eighth Wonder of the World." From its opening in 1965 to its condemnation in 2009, the dome hosted some of Houston's biggest attractions, including the city's baseball and football teams, the United States' largest rodeo and the 1992 Republican National Convention, just to name a few.
The recent decades, however, have not been kind to the venue as Harris County officials and residents weigh the options of its demolition against the mounting cost of a possible revitalization.
In 2018, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved $150 million in renovations for the Astrodome. Ultimately, those plans died less than a year later as county officials brought up concerns and questioned whether the funds would even be enough for the dome's AC system.
Phoebe Tudor, the founder and chairperson of the Astrodome Conservancy, said she believes this time can be different.
"It represents something that's a very authentic period in our history," Tudor told Houston Public Media. "The Astrodome was built around the same time that we had the space race and NASA was centered here. It was just a very special time and people don't want to forget that."
