In Houston, there's a big gap between the people proposing a restoration of the Astrodome and the two organizations with the biggest say over the aging facility.
Last week, the Astrodome Conservancy presented an ambitious $1 billion plan for the iconic but abandoned stadium. The Houston Press reports that the Gensler architecture firm's design proposed 450,000 square feet of new, revenue-generating space.
It conceptualizes four state-of-the-art buildings under the Astrodome's roof. Inspired by the Highline in New York, a boulevard would cut through the Astrodome to connect neighboring NRG Stadium and nearby facilities.
The alternative is a $100 million year-long demolition of the historic landmark.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston Texans football team decidely cool to the plan.
The Rodeo issued a statement, "We have voiced our concerns on several occasions with the conservancy," they said. "There is no proposed or official plan that our organization has agreed to."
Reportedly, the Rodeo and the Texans favor demolishing the Dome to provide more parking.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube