The Abandoned Astrodome And Its Future

[hindesky]

But the majority voted no on multiple votes and no one from the county, city or private companies are willing to spend any money on it.

[ChannelTwoNews]

Ralph Bivins weighs in...

https://realtynewsreport.com/spotlight-shines-on-historic-astrodome/

[steve1363]

14 minutes ago, ChannelTwoNews said:

Ralph Bivins weighs in...

https://realtynewsreport.com/spotlight-shines-on-historic-astrodome/

Let's hope we start to see some traction!

[bookey23]

His idea to turn the Astrodome into a casino is very interesting. Sort of like how Memphis turned the Pyramid into a giant Bass Pro Shop with a hotel and tons of restaurants. I doubt it'll ever happen, but that's a very interesting outside-the-box idea

[Houston19514]

20 hours ago, hindesky said:

But the majority voted no on multiple votes and no one from the county, city or private companies are willing to spend any money on it.

Just to keep things accurate.  There has been one vote on one proposal.  There have not been multiple votes.

As to the statement that no one from the county, city or private companies being wiling to spend any money on it . . .  that is just a clear lack of leadership.  Whether it is going to be refurbished/reused or demolished, either way requires some money and leadership to make something happen. (City leaders get a pass on this one since it is owned by the county.) Pathetic and embarrassing.

Edited April 4 by Houston19514

[Big E]

On 4/3/2023 at 11:55 AM, Houston19514 said:

As you know, the portions of your post that I fixed for you were:  

"Nobody in the county wants to spend money on an aging dome."   and "NOBODY cares that much."

Those were objectively false statements.  (For example, I live in the county and want to spend money on the Dome, as did nearly half of the people who voted on the 2013 proposal, as did the former county commissioners.) And I and many other people indeed care that much.

If the people of Harris County, as A WHOLE, wanted to spend money on the dome, they would have passed one of the numerous initiatives to do so. If people in the county, once again, AS A WHOLE, cared that much about the dome, it wouldn't still be abandoned. While a few individuals may care, as a general statement, the people of Harris County just don't seem to have any strong feelings in making use of the Astrodome.

[steve1363]

1 hour ago, Big E said:

If the people of Harris County, as A WHOLE, wanted to spend money on the dome, they would have passed one of the numerous initiatives to do so. If people in the county, once again, AS A WHOLE, cared that much about the dome, it wouldn't still be abandoned. While a few individuals may care, as a general statement, the people of Harris County just don't seem to have any strong feelings in making use of the Astrodome.

Unfortunately this is becoming less likely as the demographics of Harris County are changing and the citizenry has less of an emotional connection to the Dome.  Lina Hidalgo is a perfect example.  She wasn't even born until 1991.  It will take the will of a few influential Houstonians to get something done.

[Houston19514]

1 hour ago, Big E said:

If the people of Harris County, as A WHOLE, wanted to spend money on the dome, they would have passed one of the numerous initiatives to do so. If people in the county, once again, AS A WHOLE, cared that much about the dome, it wouldn't still be abandoned. While a few individuals may care, as a general statement, the people of Harris County just don't seem to have any strong feelings in making use of the Astrodome.

Moving the goalposts, I see.  (You originally claimed that NOBODY wanted to spend money on the Dome and NOBODY cared that much.)  And, again, there have not been numerous initiatives offered to the Harris County voters.

Regardless, we are suffering from an embarrassing and pathetic lack of leadership.  Refurbish, find a use for it, tear it down and replace it with something, tear it down and leave a hole in the ground.  Any of those moves require some leadership.  But here we are almost TWENTY-FOUR YEARS after the last baseball game was played in the Dome, with no decision, no direction, no leadership.

[august948]

oops...posted about the in-n-out april fools joke before looking at the previous page.

post deleted

😜

 

Edited April 6 by august948

[Big E]

On 4/5/2023 at 7:42 PM, Houston19514 said:

Regardless, we are suffering from an embarrassing and pathetic lack of leadership.  Refurbish, find a use for it, tear it down and replace it with something, tear it down and leave a hole in the ground.  Any of those moves require some leadership.  But here we are almost TWENTY-FOUR YEARS after the last baseball game was played in the Dome, with no decision, no direction, no leadership.

Lack of leadership, lack of will, lack of money. Lack of everything, really.

I think the historical designation is the only reason it hasn't been torn down, and nobody has simply cared enough to go out their way to get the designation removed. Its political and bureaucratic inertia at this point.

[Reefmonkey]

On 12/16/2022 at 5:21 PM, editor said:

It is.  So, great — there are two possible locations for large events.  In the nation's fourth largest city.  And both of those are home to sports teams, and one is locked up for a month plus because of the rodeo.

It's like saying, "Whaddaya mean I-10 isn't wide enough? It has TWO lanes now!"

But turning the Astrodome into another concert venue, you’d still have the issue of sports games and the rodeo. Look at the parking situation and traffic snarl around NRG when Taylor Swift came to town. No way you’d be able to have a major concert at the Astrodome take place on the same night as a Texans game, let alone during the rodeo. Even a smaller concert not along the lines of a Taylor Swift concert wouldn’t work happening there alongside those events, and for smaller concerts you do have other venues like the Arena and the Bayou Music Center. 

[august948]

4 hours ago, Reefmonkey said:

But turning the Astrodome into another concert venue, you’d still have the issue of sports games and the rodeo. Look at the parking situation and traffic snarl around NRG when Taylor Swift came to town. No way you’d be able to have a major concert at the Astrodome take place on the same night as a Texans game, let alone during the rodeo. Even a smaller concert not along the lines of a Taylor Swift concert wouldn’t work happening there alongside those events, and for smaller concerts you do have other venues like the Arena and the Bayou Music Center. 

Since it's part of NRG Park I would imagine all scheduling would be coordinated to avoid these issues (like it is today).  But, Judge Hidalgo has pretty much said the dome isn't a priority so I wouldn't expect anything to happen other than it sit there and rot.

[Reefmonkey]

59 minutes ago, august948 said:

Since it's part of NRG Park I would imagine all scheduling would be coordinated to avoid these issues (like it is today).  But, Judge Hidalgo has pretty much said the dome isn't a priority so I wouldn't expect anything to happen other than it sit there and rot.

Right but the point is coordinating to avoid these issues means the Astrodome couldn’t be used while NRG is being used, and so fixing up the astrodome wouldn’t fix the problem that we are short one venue for concerts whenever NRG is being used for something else.
 

I’m not a huge fan of Hidalgo but she’s been in office for 4 years, and the Astrodome had been sitting and rotting for 20 years before she took office, so I’m not really sure it’s fair to lay all this on her narrow shoulders. 

Edited May 9 by Reefmonkey

[Houston19514]

2 hours ago, Reefmonkey said:

Right but the point is coordinating to avoid these issues means the Astrodome couldn’t be used while NRG is being used, and so fixing up the astrodome wouldn’t fix the problem that we are short one venue for concerts whenever NRG is being used for something else.
 

I’m not a huge fan of Hidalgo but she’s been in office for 4 years, and the Astrodome had been sitting and rotting for 20 years before she took office, so I’m not really sure it’s fair to lay all this on her narrow shoulders. 

She may not be the only person to bear some blame, if you want to look back over 25 years and lay blame on people who once could have made different decisions, but the fact is, she is the chief executive of the county and the county owns the Astrodome.  She asked for the job and then asked to keep the job.  It is absolutely fair to blame her for the inaction and utter lack of leadership.  

Edited May 9 by Houston19514

[Ross]

43 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

She may not be the only person to bear some blame, if you want to look back over 25 years and lay blame on people who once could have made different decisions, but the fact is, she is the chief executive of the county and the county owns the Astrodome.  She asked for the job and then asked to keep the job.  It is absolutely fair to blame her for the inaction and utter lack of leadership.  

The Dome is a no win situation for the County Judge. Whatever happens, half the population will be mad. Doing nothing is a better option politically.

[Blue Dogs]

On 4/6/2005 at 9:24 AM, gambitx said:

The astrodome is starting to become old and non used i think it should be just destroyed

NO WAY IN HELL The Astrodome will be torn down anytime soon considering it's now a National Historic Landmark.

[august948]

15 hours ago, Blue Dogs said:

NO WAY IN HELL The Astrodome will be torn down anytime soon considering it's now a National Historic Landmark.

There we have it then, it won't be torn down and we won't do anything with it.

Here's the real future of the Astrodome...

[Houston19514]

17 hours ago, Ross said:

The Dome is a no win situation for the County Judge. Whatever happens, half the population will be mad. Doing nothing is a better option politically.

That’s not a good excuse.  A leader could put together a plan and get buy in from important parties and make something happen.  Leadership is required.  Don’t ask for a job and then hide under your desk because making decisions s might make someone mad.

[Ross]

1 hour ago, Houston19514 said:

That’s not a good excuse.  A leader could put together a plan and get buy in from important parties and make something happen.  Leadership is required.  Don’t ask for a job and then hide under your desk because making decisions s might make someone mad.

There are a myriad of other issues the County Judge needs to be working on. The Astrodome is at the bottom of the list of issues to be considered. I would be pissed if she wasted any time on the Dome at all.

There is no way to build consensus on a plan for the Dome when half the population wants it torn down and half wants it reused. No amount of leadership can overcome that.

[Houston19514]

1 minute ago, Ross said:

There are a myriad of other issues the County Judge needs to be working on. The Astrodome is at the bottom of the list of issues to be considered. I would be pissed if she wasted any time on the Dome at all.

There is no way to build consensus on a plan for the Dome when half the population wants it torn down and half wants it reused. No amount of leadership can overcome that.

Nonsense.  It is irresponsible to just let a huge asset sit there rotting.  It is not a waste of time to attend to the county's assets (or, if you prefer, its liabilities).  One thing is certain, "leadership" cannot overcome the divide if they don't try.  Another thing is for sure, we don't hire "leaders" to avoid making decisions when they are difficult.

[august948]

On 5/10/2023 at 11:13 AM, Houston19514 said:

Nonsense.  It is irresponsible to just let a huge asset sit there rotting.  It is not a waste of time to attend to the county's assets (or, if you prefer, its liabilities).  One thing is certain, "leadership" cannot overcome the divide if they don't try.  Another thing is for sure, we don't hire "leaders" to avoid making decisions when they are difficult.

Besides that, Judge Hidalgo has more important things to do now than worry about what happens in Harris county...

Lina Hidalgo named to Joe Biden's 2024 reelection advisory board

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/joe-biden-lina-hidalgo-18091209.php

[editor]

On 5/10/2023 at 11:08 AM, Ross said:

There are a myriad of other issues the County Judge needs to be working on. The Astrodome is at the bottom of the list of issues to be considered.

I didn't realize that she can only work on one thing at a time.  Maybe she could hire someone to help her out with things, so she can deal with two issues at a time.

[august948]

On 5/12/2023 at 7:48 AM, editor said:

I didn't realize that she can only work on one thing at a time.  Maybe she could hire someone to help her out with things, so she can deal with two issues at a time.

Well, she's already signed up to work on the Biden campaign so hopefully she'll be at least dedicating some time to Harris county issues as well.  Regardless, Judge Hidalgo put the Astrodome at the bottom of the bottom of the list some time ago.

[steve1363]

Uh oh.  There appears to be some politicking going on with the Dome.   The HSA is claiming that the NFL will not consider Houston again for another Super Bowl until something is done about the Astrodome.   I find this hard to believe and so does Commissioner Adrian Garcia.  I don't usually agree with him on much but in this case I think he is right to call BS on this assertion. 

"Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia also weighed in on Burke's assertion that the Astrodome's future must be decided before Houston can bid on hosting the biggest football game on the planet.

"Harris County is one of the largest media markets in the nation, so I would find it hard to believe that the NFL would hurt its own pocketbook by excluding Houston from a future Super Bowl," Garcia challenged. "The unsettled nature of the 'Dome' didn't stop the league from choosing us previously. The uncertainty around the Dome hasn't kept us from acquiring world-class events like the Final Four, College Football National Championship Game, and World Cup matches, or a stop on Beyoncé's tour. The NRG complex is clearly capable of hosting top events now and into the future. I would encourage the employees of the Sports Authority to share concerns directly with commissioners' court in a constructive and professional manner if there are issues, before speaking with the press."

https://abc13.com/when-has-houston-hosted-super-bowl-nrg-stadium-why-astrodome-isnt-demolished-fifa-world-cup-2026/13826052/?ex_cid=TA_KTRK_TW&taid=65123fd2a284870001110bd4&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Edited September 26 by steve1363

[editor]

10 hours ago, steve1363 said:

he HSA is claiming that the NFL will not consider Houston again for another Super Bowl until something is done about the Astrodome.   I find this hard to believe and so does Commissioner Adrian Garcia.  I don't usually agree with him on much but in this case I think he is right to call BS on this assertion. 

I'm with you.  If it's not in writing, it didn't happen.

 

[texan]

Another plan to reimagine the Dome. This time as a sports entertainment village.
https://abc13.com/astrodome-redevelopment-nrg-park-when-has-houston-hosted-super-bowl-stadium/13836055/#ln3al6ktjkqli1duby9

[steve1363]

2 hours ago, texan said:

Another plan to reimagine the Dome. This time as a sports entertainment village.
https://abc13.com/astrodome-redevelopment-nrg-park-when-has-houston-hosted-super-bowl-stadium/13836055/#ln3al6ktjkqli1duby9

Mike Acosta is AWESOME!  He has advanced many innovative ideas for the Astrodome over the years.  I hope something sticks this time. 

The first thing I would do is restore the dome's ceiling to its original state and remove the paint from the ceiling windows.  I'm sure it wouldn't be energy efficient but letting in all that natural light would alone breathe new life into the Dome.

[Big E]

On 9/26/2023 at 9:57 AM, editor said:

I'm with you.  If it's not in writing, it didn't happen.

 

Something like this wouldn't be in writing. Its one of those things they tell you off the books, since they can't officially demand anything be done with the dome. But they can make it clear to those with power to do something about it that the league just won't consider Houston in the future. Plenty of other places to host Super Bowls; it doesn't have to be held in Houston again.

 

15 hours ago, steve1363 said:

Mike Acosta is AWESOME!  He has advanced many innovative ideas for the Astrodome over the years.

And none of those ideas went anywhere. Any business that wants to open up there will get vetoed by the Texans and Rodeo, because they don't want something there that will compete with them for space. Its what killed every other revenue generating proposal. Neither the Texans nor the Rodeo have shown any interest in doing anything with the dome themselves. Doubt they'd back somebody else doing anything either.

[hindesky]

[steve1363]

2 hours ago, hindesky said:

Why not!

[BeerNut]

On 9/29/2023 at 4:07 AM, Big E said:

And none of those ideas went anywhere. Any business that wants to open up there will get vetoed by the Texans and Rodeo, because they don't want something there that will compete with them for space. Its what killed every other revenue generating proposal. Neither the Texans nor the Rodeo have shown any interest in doing anything with the dome themselves. Doubt they'd back somebody else doing anything either.

This place is so locked down even when not in use.  I wanted to use NRG Parkway to access the Bcycle station on the other side and they wouldn't let me cross.  You think they're going to let anything happen at the dome when events are happening at NRG Stadium or Center?

[hindesky]

"That's a big piece of history," Hernandez, who works for the global architectural design firm, Gensler, told the Houston Chronicle about the stadium on Saturday. "It's a big deal". Hernandez, University of Houston assistant professor Mili Kyropoulou and other architects from Houston and around the country contributed to the reimagining of the Astrodome."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-architects-reimagine-a-cleaner-astrodome-18454142.php#photo-24390051

[august948]

7 hours ago, hindesky said:

"That's a big piece of history," Hernandez, who works for the global architectural design firm, Gensler, told the Houston Chronicle about the stadium on Saturday. "It's a big deal". Hernandez, University of Houston assistant professor Mili Kyropoulou and other architects from Houston and around the country contributed to the reimagining of the Astrodome."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-architects-reimagine-a-cleaner-astrodome-18454142.php#photo-24390051

Apparently, this is just part of an annual competition.  Nothing I can see that makes this an actual proposal that might go somewhere.

Quote

In an annual competition, the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, challenges teams to re-imagine existing structures. This year that challenge was the Astrodome.

"We were having a lot of fun," Hernandez said. "At work, we have to deal with budgets, but with this one, it was just let's see what we can do with it."

https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/astrodome-architect-design/285-ab7b4a3f-272f-4f8d-bfd3-cbd1be3910ee

 

[Urbannizer]

A neat idea that unfortunately has no intention on becoming reality. I’d put this one as #2 right the movie studio proposal, but other than those concepts, I think the Astrodome should be demolished. It has served its purpose. Build high-density mixed-use here in connection with NRG Stadium. Could be set as phases over time. Sure it was the first enclosed football/baseball stadium, but all these proposals and ideas just show how challenging it is to turn the structure into something. Demolish it and sell the land off in plots that it sits on and the surface parking to developers. NRG, rail line and the Med Center nearby would entice them to invest here.

[Big E]

On 10/31/2023 at 1:49 AM, Urbannizer said:

A neat idea that unfortunately has no intention on becoming reality. I’d put this one as #2 right the movie studio proposal, but other than those concepts, I think the Astrodome should be demolished. It has served its purpose. Build high-density mixed-use here in connection with NRG Stadium. Could be set as phases over time. Sure it was the first enclosed football/baseball stadium, but all these proposals and ideas just show how challenging it is to turn the structure into something. Demolish it and sell the land off in plots that it sits on and the surface parking to developers. NRG, rail line and the Med Center nearby would entice them to invest here.

It definitely should be demolished. But I don't see anything requiring year round parking being built here because it would interfere with parking and such for the stadium and convention center, which the rodeo and Texans would definitely say no to. More than likely, it would just be redeveloped as more parking lot. However, doing so might allow some of the outer parking farther away from the main structures to be redeveloped.

[august948]

On 11/1/2023 at 2:07 PM, Big E said:

It definitely should be demolished. But I don't see anything requiring year round parking being built here because it would interfere with parking and such for the stadium and convention center, which the rodeo and Texans would definitely say no to. More than likely, it would just be redeveloped as more parking lot. However, doing so might allow some of the outer parking farther away from the main structures to be redeveloped.

At this point, it seems like the best solutions would be to either demolish it and create a green/open/event space or maybe do the proposal where it's open space but with the skeleton of the dome over it.

[Houston19514]

It definitely should not be demolished. It should be saved and used for additional convention/exhibition space, below-grade parking, arena and facilities to replace the Astro-Arena building; any other "year-round" functions would have to be with the cooperation of the Texans and the Rodeo.  That does not, in my mind eliminate all other possibilities. If there are restaurants or hotel space, they just have to include the Rodeo and Texans in their plans and probably share a portion of their revenue with them.

Even more definitely it's way past time for our county "leaders" to do something. It's an absolute embarrassment that the Dome just sits there with no plan; no idea. The County "leaders" need to stop hiding under their desks and do something.

Edited November 6 by Houston19514

[august948]

4 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

It definitely should not be demolished. It should be saved and used for additional convention/exhibition space, below-grade parking, arena and facilities to replace the Astro-Arena building; any other "year-round" functions would have to be with the cooperation of the Texans and the Rodeo.  That does not, in my mind eliminate all other possibilities. If there are restaurants or hotel space, they just have to include the Rodeo and Texans in their plans and probably share a portion of their revenue with them.

Even more definitely it's way past time for our county "leaders" to do something. It's an absolute embarrassment that the Dome just sits there with no plan; no idea. The County "leaders" need to stop hiding under their desks and do something.

Our county leader has been away for a while.

[Houston19514]

On 11/6/2023 at 5:25 PM, august948 said:

Our county leader has been away for a while.

Away; hiding under a desk. .  . is there really a difference? 

[Big E]

On 11/6/2023 at 12:32 PM, Houston19514 said:

It definitely should not be demolished. It should be saved and used for additional convention/exhibition space, below-grade parking, arena and facilities to replace the Astro-Arena building; any other "year-round" functions would have to be with the cooperation of the Texans and the Rodeo.  That does not, in my mind eliminate all other possibilities. If there are restaurants or hotel space, they just have to include the Rodeo and Texans in their plans and probably share a portion of their revenue with them.

No business would agree to give up a portion of their profits (twice, since they would have to appease both organizations) to operate a business that going to be in the middle of a no mans land ocean of parking lots 80% of the time, and then wouldn't even be able to operate during game days or the Rodeo because neither of the two tenants would ever okay them disrupting their operations. There's no boon in it for any potential tenant. That's why no private group has ever attempted to do anything with the Astrodome.

[Houston19514]

On 11/8/2023 at 8:22 PM, Big E said:

No business would agree to give up a portion of their profits (twice, since they would have to appease both organizations) to operate a business that going to be in the middle of a no mans land ocean of parking lots 80% of the time, and then wouldn't even be able to operate during game days or the Rodeo because neither of the two tenants would ever okay them disrupting their operations. There's no boon in it for any potential tenant. That's why no private group has ever attempted to do anything with the Astrodome.

My idea was to share some revenue with only the Texans on game days and only the Rodeo during the three weeks of Rodeo.  The retail/hospitality businesses in the Dome would hugely benefit from the Texans/Rodeo traffic and the Texans/Rodeo get a fair cut.  Making the businesses work the rest of the year is probably the bigger issue.