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The Abandoned Astrodome And Its Future


gambitx

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I think being that astroworld is close. The astrodome should allow part of an attraction such as rides like those at universal studios with a houston flavor to be allowed inside, this would surely become a tourism attraction. Look at what Disney did in downtown Chicago.

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Nope. Wait.. maybe they did. I've learned to not look to the right when passing by on I-610 Eastbound.

As for the poll: None of the above. But if I did have to choose one, I think I would pick demolation [sic]. I'm not sure what that is, but it sounds cool, whatever it is. :)

Funny. I likey the demolation durby a hole bunches.

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I think being that astroworld is close. The astrodome should allow part of an attraction such as rides like those at universal studios with a houston flavor to be allowed inside, this would surely become a tourism attraction. Look at what Disney did in downtown Chicago.

What did Disney do in downtown Chicago?

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I posted this on an astros fan board that I'm no longer very active in, but I clipped it, and I'm gonna share it:

I'm not exactly sure what should be done with the Astrodome. I do have a few ideas, and there are a few things that I think would be cool, but won't work, and a few ideas about things that I think would be terrible an wouldn't work.

First off, no matter what, even if the county mothballs it, I think it should be power washed. Everything else in Reliant park is new and sparkling, but the centerpiece (literally, of course) looks like crap. A powerwasher will do wonders, and I bet that some company would be willing to do it for a reduced rate, in exchange for the privlege of hanging an enormous sign on the front of the dome, facing 610 for about 4 months - either during the Rodeo or during Texans season. Nothing permanent, nothing gaudy, just some good ad space in exchange for a good deal.

Secondly I think the current working plan of a large scale convention hotel complex would be kind of cool, but I don't think it would work in the next 10 years. For those who don't know this plan is to have a hotel with 200+ rooms, and a gigantic atrium - with clear glass roof panels - with a single roller coaster and a few other attractions. There is a similar complex in the Metroplex, with a Texas theme - including a replica of the Alamo - and it is expected to do quite well in the long run. Essentially, the development can best be likened to a Las Vegas style hotel resort, with no casino.

The bad idea was the last working plan which would be a space themed amusement park with a few hotel rooms thrown in. I don't see how this could ever be economically viable, and for that matter, I don't see it bringing people to the building over a protracted period of time.

The idea that I have most liked, and that I would love to see implemented still is to rennovate the building for another sports related purpose. Back when Houston had an outside shot at hosting the 2012 olympics, the idea was floated to turn the Astrodome into the world's premier exclusive track and field facility. The international authorities approved the idea of indoor competition, and the track world was enthusiastic about the idea of having a facility in the US that would bring competitions here. Apparently track events don't just take place every 4 years, they have seasons and everything. It's just that Americans don't usually pay attention because it takes place everywhere else in the world but here. This facility could be used by NCAA, for professional competition, and its successful use would give Houston regular international attention. Alas, the USOC decided to go with New York, who has a sub par plan and will ensure that the US don't get the games again until 2020 at the earliest. (the USOC has already said that it's 2012 bid city will be the same as the 2016 bid city if it's unsuccessful) Nonetheless I still think this plan could work.

Alternatively, and equally unlikely is the possibility of rennovating the building for soccer, cleaning off the roof panels to make them clear and reducing the seating to somewhere around 35,000 - lower deck only - and installing a smaller higher-end hotel - capable of hosting visiting NFL and MLS teams and staffs - and maybe some sort of sports hall of fame around the upper rings.

Of course, it all starts with a good power washing.

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  • 2 weeks later...

OR..with the ever growing popularity of Professional Soccer in Houston, they could use the Astrodome for the soccer games, soccer playoffs, etc etc.

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LOL

I'm really starting to warm up to the idea of a multi-use retail/entertainment center at ground level with an observation tower of about 300 feet or so. The base would be where the shops/venues are located and the tower would extend from the center. Tie in Astroworld and Reliant Stadium with some pretty spiffy/unique corridors and you'd have a workable entertainment complex.

What works here, as far as the observation tower is concerned, is that it would offer you a view of Houston's largest group of skylines, from Downtown to as far as Westchase.

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I think Houston Sports Authority not using their heads on astrodome project. The answer is right there in front of them. If houston is trying to get MLS here, common sense make the astrodome has a soccer entertainment center. Have a major hotel, retail, resturants, cineplex, and a state of the art soccer field. I mean wake up Houston.

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drive in casino.

dream

Is the Astro turf surface still installed?

The Astrodome is an unused jewel for a major team sports that I bet probably nobody ever thought off. It will probably take just a minor upgrade of the field surface and field seating configuration to accomendate it (no, it's not soccer).

My guestimate it would take $1-2 Million to update the Astrodome and another $8-10 Million expansion team price tag (or moving an existing team) plus credit guarantees for at least 3 seasons of play.

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I agree with the idea of using it for MLS. San Antonio looks to be attracting big attention from MLS--to play in the Alamodome.

At the same time, the idea of an observation tower at the Dome and several shops, etc. could work well and add to the area being an entertainment district. Just make sure the tower is tall enough to not only see all the skylines, but maybe also see some of the ship channel or bay.

Or it could be the world's largest indoor go-kart track!

I've never been inside the Dome. Do they still give tours?

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Does someone know or can guide me to a page that lists the maximum available field dimensions of the Astrodome?

Try balllparks.com. Is a great source for info on old ballparks, arenas, and stadiums.

I think the Dome is a non-starter for MLS. The facility is just way too big. MLS is looking for seating capacity of about 20,000. Plus they want spankin' new facilities, just like all the other leagues. A new soccer venue will probably be a pre-condition of any MLS expansion into Houston.

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Try balllparks.com.  Is a great source for info on old ballparks, arenas, and stadiums. 

I think the Dome is a non-starter for MLS.  The facility is just way too big.  MLS is looking for seating capacity of about 20,000.  Plus they want spankin' new facilities, just like all the other leagues.  A new soccer venue will probably be a pre-condition of any MLS expansion into Houston.

That's what I thought too, which is why I mentioned San Antonio. The team that they are looking more and more likely to get will play in the Alamodome, which is about the same seating capacity as the Astrodome.

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That's what I thought too, which is why I mentioned San Antonio.  The team that they are looking more and more likely to get will play in the Alamodome, which is about the same seating capacity as the Astrodome.

The Alamo Dome is desinged to shrink a bit. If a team lands there they will curtain off the entire upper section of seating, leaving capacity at about 30,000.

N Judah has a good idea. Could the Dome become our multi-modal transit center?

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I think it would be pretty neat if Astroworld had a monorail running from the park to the inside of the astrodome. Then have an indoor theme park to run and hide to when the weather is extremely bad, or too hot. It could be like a super space mountain or something!

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A multi-model transit center amidst a parking lot, crapy apartments, and dare I say it ASTROWORLD, wuh hooo!!!

A good building for a multi-model station, but bad location. Even though they plan on building a urban center at the end of the red line... which I think is a bad idea, since those people who would live there would more than likely want to live in either Mid-town or downtown. Come on people fill in the donut!

But in Houston, we build new things instead of use what we already have...

which basically negates my notion on the STRO-DOME, but I think it would make a great- Football stadium.

Opps, we just built a new one, hmm... strange how you never hear about, Minute Maid Park, PNC Park, or Saefco Field like you hear about Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Wrigly and Soldier Field (before it was rapped). Guess if you never stay in a place long enough there isnt ever a history.

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