The Abandoned Astrodome And Its Future

[rsb320]

I wonder why they're not using the dome for the Rock the Bayou Palooza or whatever, Labor Day weekend. Instead, they're using the, now vacant, former Astroworld land. I'm guessing the parking will be there though.

[crunchtastic]

I wonder why they're not using the dome for the Rock the Bayou Palooza or whatever, Labor Day weekend. Instead, they're using the, now vacant, former Astroworld land. I'm guessing the parking will be there though.

current code violations are keeping anyone from using it.

http://www.click2houston.com/investigates/...767/detail.html

[Vertigo58]

Forgot...............I saw Elvis in '70 or '71 at the Rodeo.

Here he is at the world famous Astrodome! You must be in the crowd!

Look's like there was an early show & an evening show. Wowee!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciXov2rWW3Q

Edited August 14, 2008 by Vertigo58

[Vertigo58]

Astrodomain

was a very commonly used word. May never hear again it seems.

Notice the Howard Johnson's red roof on bottom left of postcard. This whole whole area was to be the most futuristic of design.

[FilioScotia]

Astrodomain was a very commonly used word. May never hear again it seems.

Actually, the "Astro-Domain" never worked out as a concept. In the 1950s, before Houston got its National League franchise, and before old Colts Stadium was built, that area was "out in the country", several miles south of the medical center. There was NOTHING there. Fannin and Kirby dead-ended at OST, but were extended when promoters and Colts owners Roy Hofheinz and R.E. "Bob" Smith built Colt Stadium.

A few years later, the county and Hofheinz built the dome where they did in the belief it would attract a lot of commercial, entertainment and residential development and make everybody rich. The building of Astroworld and the Astroworld hotel just poured fuel on those hopes.

But the grand scheme never came to pass and the hopes started fading early, because the area around the dome never became the bustling entertainment and commercial complex Hofheinz and others dreamed about.

Most hotel corporations never saw any potential there and steered clear of the immediate area. The only other quality hotel of any size I can remember was the Marriott at Greenbriar and North Braeswood. Motels don't count.

The Dean Goss Dinner Theater was the only "entertainment" oriented business I can recall. The only restaurants were on South Main and OST where they didn't have to depend on catching people coming and going from the dome or Astroworld. Even the Dome Shadows night club was over on the other side of South Main for the same reason.

So in the end, the "AstroDomain" idea never really caught on. As it is with most commercial ventures, the only winning formula is: Location. Location. Location. Astros owner Drayton McLane could see that, and it's why he decided to build his new baseball stadium in downtown Houston.

Edited August 24, 2008 by FilioScotia

[DMac]

A neighbor friend had a hookup for The Bad News Bears II filming so my mom my brother and me and the neighbors 3 daughters and their mom and the other neighbor with the hookup and her kids all skipped school and went there for the filming. It was the first time I really saw how movies work and how they can make a small crowd look big

We were suppose to sit in the outfield, but the neighbor got us behind the dugout. Best part was we all got paid like 36 bucks which was big bucks for a kid back then especially to skip school!

Another time as an Astro Buddy I was way up in those high seats that Astro Buddies got and behind home plate. While coming back from the concessions I stopped at the rail for a second and a pirate hit a foul ball and it came way back behind him up and damn if it did not hit my hand, but it was too hard for me to hold and the kid in the seat behind me ended up with it

I remember warm Dome Foam when I got a bit older. They never seamed to card at The Dome

Question: Can anyone ID the problem w/the American flag as it flashes on the left side of the bull?

Respectfully

Danny

[Heights2Bastrop]

The Dean Goss Dinner Theater was the only "entertainment" oriented business I can recall.

Actually, there were quite a few entertainment oriented businesses that sprung up, in particular along South Main. However, I never had the slightest urge to stop and check them out, let alone pick any of them up.

[Paul1956]

I don't remember specifically what the event was, probably a ballgame, but I remember a guy wearing a jetpack flew around the dome, rounding the bases. The noise was deafening.

[FilioScotia]

I don't remember specifically what the event was, probably a ballgame, but I remember a guy wearing a jetpack flew around the dome, rounding the bases. The noise was deafening.

In the 60s and early 70s, Keds gym shoes had a guy named "Colonel Keds" demonstrating a jet backpack inside the Astrodome. In fact it was the same jetpack used in the opening scene of the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

He was a regular pregame feature at Astros' games. The guy would lift off from about halfway down the left field line, fly at about a hundred feet over the infield and home plate, and come down about halfway down the right field line.

I only saw him one time and it was breathtaking to watch. You are right though. The jetpack did make the devil's own noise.

[Subdude]

In the 60s and early 70s, Keds gym shoes had a guy named "Colonel Keds" demonstrating a jet backpack inside the Astrodome. In fact it was the same jetpack used in the opening scene of the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

Thunderball!

[FilioScotia]

Thunderball!

Oops. You're right. It was the movie AFTER Goldfinger.

[Vertigo58]

That jetpack would be great to use in Houston rush hours.

Here is an early baseball pic...notice Gulf Logos in background...cool.

[nm5k]

Sure wish someone would describe seeing Evil Knevil there! That must have been a blast!

I saw him there. As I recall, he made the jump. He would do a lot of trick

riding stunts before the big jump.

Or at least they were fairly tricky back then..

I think I also saw some other copycat jumper there too one time.

He was fairly young. Forgot his name. Think he was from Houston.

[TexasVines]

I saw him there. As I recall, he made the jump. He would do a lot of trick

riding stunts before the big jump.

Or at least they were fairly tricky back then..

I think I also saw some other copycat jumper there too one time.

He was fairly young. Forgot his name. Think he was from Houston.

wasn't there a guy that had a ramp build up one side of the stadium so he could get a better start before the jump....I am pretty sure I was there to see him, but that was many moons ago

and did anyone see the match between the boxer and the wrestler after the Astros game......the boxer was pretty bigtime and the wrestler was a greco roman type (not the paul bosch type).....again I am pretty sure I was there.....either way I watched it live or on TV........it sucked the wrestler spent the whole time walking around like a crab trying to trip up the boxer and the boxer spent the whole time moving around hoping the wrestler would stand up

[insidehouston]

I have a few memories of going to see the Astros with my dad. I also have a vague memory of seeing Willie Nelson. I assume it was at the astrodome because where ever we were it was big and I dont think Houston had any other venues that size. I have a memory of a boyscout thing but I thought it was in one of the buildings next to the Astrodome and not in the Astrodome itself.

[Vertigo58]

This guy must have really LOVED the dome.

http://www.charlieanderson.com/astrodome.htm

and who is that on the right? Old Willie himself (minus the doobie)

[KristinDaugherty]

This guy must have really LOVED the dome.

http://www.charlieanderson.com/astrodome.htm

and who is that on the right? Old Willie himself (minus the doobie)

A potless Willie - now THAT is a score of a photo. What are the odds?

[spiderroller]

Many a Houstonian has memories of the Astrodome. For some of us, it was a love with our sports franchises. For others, it represented an era in which Houston exploded onto the national map, destiend to grow into the megatropolis that Houston is today.

The purpose of this thread is for people to share their memories of the Astrodome. I was looking at old photos of it recently, and saw a photo of the hot dog stand with the yellow and orange painted lines around it. I remember the Texas emblems on the aisle seats that listed the rows. I remember people walking around, smoking cigarettes, and the whole dome had this rustic, small town in a huge stadium feel to it.

Now here's a real gem for me - I have vague memories of an 80s videogame arcade inside the Astrodome, and as I recall it was near the outfield, like right field or something. Does anybody remember anything about this arcade? Lately I've had a lot of nostalgia about the Astrodome. I suppose that's because its fate is in limbo right now :/ Anyhow, any memories of this arcade or about the Astrodome in general would be appreciated.

In case you stumbled into this thread and don't know anything about the Arcade that was located in the outfield, check out this article I found about Cigarette Haze Control in the Astrodome: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5PR...ag=artBody;col1

This is a somewhat scatterbrained Astrodome thread, but any nostalgia would be appreciated.

I haven't gone on to read all the other posts, but yes, I remember. We used to go down there to play pinball and other games. It was an arcade under the bleachers. I'll never forget the classic baseball game, where the steel ball was "pitched" and you hit it with a bat, using a big round button.

[spiderroller]

Tommy Lasorda ( our season tickets were directly behind the visitors dugout) became so upset by my heckling he sent the cops to tell me to tone it down or I'd be thrown out.

Wow.... we didn't have season tickets, but my father's boss had them - 1st row on the 3rd base dugout. Section 120, Row 1, Seats 1-4. I went to so many games as a kid I can't count them all, sitting in those seats, and many of my best childhood memories are of the DOME. I have lots of memoribilia from those days, and plenty of stories.

I'm guessin that you heckled Tommy Lasagna as much as we did! Do you remember that's what we hecklers called him as he coached 3rd base???

Edited June 11, 2009 by spiderroller

[gargoyle_dreams]

I remember going to the Rodeo there with my parents.

Before the Astrodome, we went to the rodeo in the Sam Houston Colosseum.

Many years later, I was at the Astrodome with my husband for a tractor pull or something and another event that night was this guy from Canada who was going to drop into a big sort of tub of water while he himself was inside a smaller barrel....(late 1980's maybe ?)

You remember that circular thing that could drop down from the center of the Astrodome ceiling ?

They said that the day before, they dropped his barrel (without him in it) 4 times but it didn't land in the water every time.

It was supposed to be similar to going over Niagara falls or something like that. (which didn't make sense to me)

The day of the event Evel Knieval was up on that circular thing talking to the guy Trying To Talk Him Out Of Doing His Stunt !......but the guy went ahead.

I had to wonder how bad an idea something had to be if Evel Knieval was trying to talk a person out of doing it !

Anyway.....the guy went ahead....

The barrel he was in hit on the side of the big tub of water.......

All I remember next was it took "authorities" FOREVER to get that dam*ed barrel open to get to him....45 minutes ?...an hour ?

He was taken to a hospital.......nothing more was said at the Astrodome about his condition but the next day they said he died about an hour after arriving at the hospital.

His first name was Karol but I don't remember his last name.

That was very sad.

********************************************************************

Been to about 4 Tractor Pulls with Destruction Derbies at the end at the Astrodome.

Absolutely love those.....

I'm such a redneck...

I also remember how very badly the bathrooms STUNK.......each of the last 6 or 7 times I was there.

[mkultra25]

Many years later, I was at the Astrodome with my husband for a tractor pull or something and another event that night was this guy from Canada who was going to drop into a big sort of tub of water while he himself was inside a smaller barrel....(late 1980's maybe ?)

His first name was Karol but I don't remember his last name.

Karel Soucek

[Fringe]

I had completely forgotten about that incident until you brought it up.

[rsb320]

Something brewing at the dome. Ch2 reports that Harris County Organizers is secretly planning a Science Center and Planetarium for the facility. It's apparently hush-hush, because Ch2 was denied access for the meeting. Science, Technology and Mathematics Institute was the name they used.

[marketingwiz]

Life Magazine Images

Gosh, I hope I inserted the link correctly. If not, my apologies, but the link should take you to Google's Life Magazine Photo Archives that has some terrific shots of everything Houston, including interiors of the Astrodome and Hofheinz's private suites and entertainment rooms. Or Google this, houston astrodome source:life. I think the photography is stunning.

[fatesdisastr]

haha...April Fools!

Edited April 1, 2011 by fatesdisastr

[Fringe]

Ha. That actually would be pretty cool.

[lockmat]

I can't wait for the day for someone to announce an awesome proposal on April 1, leading people to think it's april fools only to be a real project!

[DrLan34]

I can't wait for the day for someone to announce an awesome proposal on April 1, leading people to think it's april fools only to be a real project!

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-30-11-wrestling-rescues-the-dome/

wrestling? i dont know if this is april fools or not

[LTAWACS]

awesome

[Gary]

Eversol, and a lack of new air conditioning sealing the deal for both tennents, should answer the question of whether this is real or not.

[Simbha]

Why not turn it into an aquarium? I know we've got the 'Downtown Aquarium' and the Moody Gardens in Galveston, but I feel Houston really lacks a true, public aquarium. The Dome would seem to be perfect for it, and it could still be used as part of the Reliant Complex for conventions and such.

Edit: I forgot about the aquarium in the zoo, but that's kind of the point... It's... forgettable.

Edited July 18, 2011 by Simbha

[LTAWACS]

Eversol, and a lack of new air conditioning sealing the deal for both tennents, should answer the question of whether this is real or not.

Forget eversol. he can rot in jail.

[Utinga]

Why not turn it into an aquarium? I know we've got the 'Downtown Aquarium' and the Moody Gardens in Galveston, but I feel Houston really lacks a true, public aquarium. The Dome would seem to be perfect for it, and it could still be used as part of the Reliant Complex for conventions and such.

Edit: I forgot about the aquarium in the zoo, but that's kind of the point... It's... forgettable.

I just ran across this (old) post. I voted historical. I think an Aguarium would be a great idea. The one Downtown is not an Aguarium, that one should be ripped out at once or turned into a full kiddy amusement park, not the wanna' be it is now. The locale would be a great, non local, visitor "draw" as the Dome and World were, once upon a time.

[Ivey66]

A lot of ideas have been thrown around for the Astrodome's Future. From Safari toMovie Studio, all the way down to just tearing it down and make it another parking lot. One of the problems they have now is

- It currently has numerous health and safety code violations, it cost too much money to bring the stadium up to code or pass inspection and those involved just don't have it right now or have plans for it but don't want to pay the fat bill plus other fees.

[largeTEXAS]

The Astrodome needs to house a new, gigantic Art Car Museum. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of art cars that have been retired and are sitting rusting in fields and garages. Art cars are Houston's folk expression known worldwide. The Astrodome is a bit of a folk icon at this point. Combine the two and you have an outstanding destination.

[Adam79]

I grew up attending Astros games with my dad in the 70s. To my generation, the 'Dome is truly the "8th Wonder of the World"! Now, Houston's beloved Astrodome sits unused and in need of upkeep (sprinkler system, et al) to even qualify for occupancy.

No politician seeking re-election wants to be the guy who tore down the 'Dome!

I've a novel proposal: Spend the millions necessary to recondition the Astrodome and use it as a Baseball stadium! AA Texas leauge or even AAA Pacific Coast league would draw enough fans to presumeably recoup at least some operating expenses. Festivals and events would certainly be a possiblity-in the air conditioning.

Minor league tix are substantially more affordable for working families. Game starting times (M-F 12 noon first pitch?) could be scheduled so as not to compete with the Astros. Houston is now America's 4th largest city and growing still. Minor league day games with $5-$15 tix in an air-conditioned stadium would sell, imho. What about you?

[fatesdisastr]

Would be nice if NASA could bring the space experience closer to the epicenter of Houston and turn it into a real space amusement/ educational park with roller coasters and the like.

[Marksmu]

Minor league day games with $5-$15 tix in an air-conditioned stadium would sell, imho. What about you?

The Astros play in an air-conditioned stadium and cant even sell out a game with $1 tickets. Houston is a bandwagon city...if you want fans you have to be good....I think football is about the only exception to this rule.

[Subdude]

I grew up attending Astros games with my dad in the 70s. To my generation, the 'Dome is truly the "8th Wonder of the World"! Now, Houston's beloved Astrodome sits unused and in need of upkeep (sprinkler system, et al) to even qualify for occupancy.

No politician seeking re-election wants to be the guy who tore down the 'Dome!

I've a novel proposal: Spend the millions necessary to recondition the Astrodome and use it as a Baseball stadium! AA Texas leauge or even AAA Pacific Coast league would draw enough fans to presumeably recoup at least some operating expenses. Festivals and events would certainly be a possiblity-in the air conditioning.

Minor league tix are substantially more affordable for working families. Game starting times (M-F 12 noon first pitch?) could be scheduled so as not to compete with the Astros. Houston is now America's 4th largest city and growing still. Minor league day games with $5-$15 tix in an air-conditioned stadium would sell, imho. What about you?

It's actually not a bad idea, but the Astros would scream bloody murder at the prospect of a local minor league team, since it would no doubt be outselling the Astros in short order.

[Fringe]

Yeah. The Astros refused to have anything to do with the Sugar Land Skeeters. They would surely fight a team located right down the street.

[lockmat]

Texans owner Bob Mcnair was on 610 today. I didn't hear the entire interview but from the hosts comments I think Mcnairs vote is to tear it down and build a hotel to attrtact another super bowl. Imsure the podcast is on their website by now. I'd check but my bb is too slow.

Also, I was thinking. All of our sports teams now have a new stadium. Would it be possible to pass a law that says no more tax dollars for funding stadiums? It seems stadium life spans are about 30 years, so this would give owners the opportunity to start saving now, knowing that tax dollars will not be there. Of course, some might say that will just give them incentive to find a new city that will provide money. Just a thought.

[Simbha]

Texans owner Bob Mcnair was on 610 today. I didn't hear the entire interview but from the hosts comments I think Mcnairs vote is to tear it down and build a hotel to attrtact another super bowl. Imsure the podcast is on their website by now. I'd check but my bb is too slow.

The 2004 Super Bowl was a strong success, but it's not likely that Houston will get another Super Bowl for some time. First, the next three Super Bowls (2013-2015) are already set, so the next available one is 2016. Super Bowls tend (but not always) to go to cities that build new stadiums. There are currently four metros with definite plans to build a new stadium: the Bay Area, Minneapolis, LA and San Diego. Beyond those, four additional teams have stadiums that are over 30 years old today: Green Bay (Lambeau), Kansas City (Arrowhead), Buffalo (Ralph Wilson) and New Orleans (Superdome). New Orleans already has the 2013 Super Bowl, so it won't be in the running again for some time, I think. That essentially leaves seven additional metros (eight teams - Oakland and SF would likely share one stadium) making a strong case to host the big game after 2016. If they all get it (unlikely, but this is all educated speculation anyway)... Houston won't really vie for a spot again until around 2020ish. At that time, Reliant Stadium will be 18+ years old, and clear decisions will have (hopefully) been made about the Dome anyway...

Also, I was thinking. All of our sports teams now have a new stadium. Would it be possible to pass a law that says no more tax dollars for funding stadiums? It seems stadium life spans are about 30 years, so this would give owners the opportunity to start saving now, knowing that tax dollars will not be there. Of course, some might say that will just give them incentive to find a new city that will provide money. Just a thought.

I think this is a wonderful idea! But, it probably won't fly. The standard rhetoric today is that billionaire team owners hold the cards - and those cards spell economic impact for the region. It would take a truly visionary team owner (and city leaders) to make this happen, and I don't think that combination is likely anywhere. And, as you've said, owners have other options.

Regarding the question about what to do with the Dome... I'm not at liberty to disclose too much at this time, but I'll simply state that I am involved in an effort to bring a proposal for the renovation of the Dome to county officials at this time. If our vision is realized, Houston will have something truly unique that - in our opinion and analysis - will benefit the regional population while, at the same time, elevating Houston's status as a global city. We will divulge more once we've hit a couple more milestones (or don't).

Edited March 14, 2012 by Simbha

[chuckdee]

Demolition. Parking lot or gasp, condos.

[lockmat]

The astrodome site seems like a horrible location for residential, hotel and office space. It's right next to Reliant and too far from any streets to create any sense of place. Some sort of museum would fit ok I think because people are just visiting it. It would feel weird to live there or stay in as a hotel. Just imagine seeing lots of parking lot out your window.; not very inviting.

[Simbha]

Demolition. Parking lot or gasp, condos.

The astrodome site seems like a horrible location for residential, hotel and office space. It's right next to Reliant and too far from any streets to create any sense of place. Some sort of museum would fit ok I think because people are just visiting it. It would feel weird to live there or stay in as a hotel. Just imagine seeing lots of parking lot out your window.; not very inviting.

I won't say "impossible," but residential is pretty much out of the question. If the Dome is demolished, it'll largely be because principal stakeholders (in particular, the Rodeo) want to clear out the space to create better flow throughout the entire area. Demolishing it and then building out any sort of residential would fly in the face of this purpose.

A museum is possible, but there are significant challenges to that - one of which I've just stated (stakeholders wanting more flow), but there are others. One of the biggest reasons nothing's been done with the Dome up to now is that there are just so many people/organizations with claims to this space - each of which want to do something different, and all of which wield some political clout.

We'll see how things progress going forward, but any organization hoping to do something with the facility (including demo'ing it) have their work cut out for them.

[Chi-Char-Hou-Dal]

http://swamplot.com/what-i-saw-when-i-snuck-into-the-astrodome/2012-03-23/

Really cool - wonder how much that oiler sign would sell for at auction?

Is it sad or cool that it's still sitting there? Sad because it's not used and millions are spent for nothing, cool because it's not knocked down yet.

There's some saying that escapes me goes something like " You can't f up if you don't do anything"

lol

[Subdude]

That's pretty strange seeing signs with the old Oilers and Astros logos! Bit of a time warp.

[lockmat]

That made me lol to see someone "sneak" in there and take those pictures. Looking down those tunnels and seeing parts of the massivness brings back really good memories and reminds me of the awe feeling when being in there. Reliant might be bigger, but it's never really given me that feeling.

Someone in the swamplot had this comment, and I actually thing it sounds like a cool idea. Maybe not, but sorta ;p

The structure needs to be stripped down to the iron work, it will be the Eiffel tower of Houston. Plant grass and make amazing gardens underneath it all. What a great change it would be from the acres of concrete that surronds Reliant Park. Look at what discovery green has done for the GRB, just think what we could do with all that park space next to the Reliant Convetion Center.

http://swamplot.com/what-i-saw-when-i-snuck-into-the-astrodome/2012-03-23/#comment-218790

[samagon]

I saw that too, I had mentioned it a few pages back on here, I'm sure that person and I aren't the only ones wishing for something like that.

I'd go a step farther though and say build a topiary dedicated to Houston sports history, a shrub that is cut to look like Earl Cambell tiptoeing down the sideline would be inspiring.

Put in hanging baskets off the structure, and build vines throughout the entire structure to make it a completely green structure!

[lockmat]

An Earl Cambell shrub cut to look like he is tip toeing down the sideline?! That'd be awesome! lol