The Astrodome Conservancy, a non-profit organization not formally affiliated with the Astrodome, rolled out a new plan this week to revitalize the building which has sat empty since housing Hurricane Katrina evacuees in 2005.
The Conservancy’s $1 billion moonshot plan, developed by architectural firm Gensler, includes a year-round retail village, an expo center, restaurants, and more.
This proposal is just the latest in a slate of proposals to breathe new life into the building. Harris County proposed a more than $200 million bond in 2013 to redevelop it, but it failed; in 2015, then-Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and others traveled to Germany to tour an indoor park as inspiration for the facility; in 2018, the county approved $105 million to renovate the building and build a garage and event space, but that was later put on hold; in 2021, a survey was conducted asking residents’ input on the future of the dome; and in 2023, an “entertainment village” was pitched.
The Conservancy says the current plan is different, because it will be revenue-generating and largely privately funded.
“We are confident that because of the Astrodome’s designation as a historic landmark, an Astrodome redevelopment can leverage significant private dollars – dollars that are not available for new construction or other improvements to NRG Park – to minimize public investment. We can create a successful public-private partnership to ensure this Houston treasure will have a bright future,” said Phoebe Tudor, Astrodome Conservancy chairman.
Astrodome Conservancy Executive Director Beth Wiedower Jackson said, “We aim to bring Harris County, the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the public together to find a solution that benefits all and ensures a bright future for our beloved landmark Astrodome.”
However, the two entities that largely control the future of the dome by way of controlling the lands on which it sits almost immediately rejected the idea.
Chairman of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation Bishop James Dixon told the Houston Chronicle, “We respect the efforts of the Astrodome Conservancy and have seen their proposed concept. Over the last few years, we have seen several concepts that, while thought-provoking, haven’t resulted in viable funding and maintenance solutions.” The corporation oversees most functions of NRG Park, where the Astrodome sits.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which leases the park, issued a similar statement, asserting there were no plans that it has agreed to or “been made aware of.”
Despite the Conservancy claiming they can raise $750 million in private funds to pay for the redevelopment–with the other $250 million presumably coming from taxpayers–without agreement from the county or the dominant entities, the plan is merely a dream.
