HOUSTON (AP) _ A county board has recommended converting Houston’s historic but
deteriorating Astrodome into a giant convention center and exhibition space.
The Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. on Wednesday opted to go with its
own plan for the world’s first domed, air-conditioned stadium instead of one of
19 private-sector plans submitted for its reuse. The board says the groups
promoting the private plans didn’t meet the project’s criteria by a deadline
earlier this month.
The board’s proposal would cost an estimated $194 million and take about 21/2
years to complete. The plan now goes to Harris County commissioners, who will
discuss it at a June 25 meeting.
The stadium once dubbed “the eighth wonder of the world” has been vacant
since 2009, when it was deemed unfit for occupancy.