Unless they're spending 100 million to turn that piss smelling rat infested shithole into an indoor astroworld, yeah this is a terrible idea
There has to be a better cause out there. Also, any potential renovation will always lead to another potential renovation down the road, with upkeep costs. Put it out of its misery.
It's not just going to be a parking lot, that'll only be below ground level. 30 million to level it or 100 million to turn it into something that can generate revenue?
It's It's over. The Dome stays. Really no point now in whining about it. I'm thinking 5 years from now a lot of y'all will be eating crow.
This Houston has no decent concert venue, this could work for that. At least a decision has been made. Either destroy it or turn it into something. Letting it rot made no sense
Any more money poured into it is a waste. This issue will come up again in a few years when some sort of structural upkeep, maintenance issue, or the envisioned usage doesn't go as planned. Not sure how anybody would be "eating crow"... and if its not used for a sports stadium, I fail to see the purpose as nostalgia is effectively mitigated. For the record, I was for trying to repurpose it to entice a hockey team (back in the day), or when it was being floated as part of a potential olympic bid. I love what they've done with Wrigley, Fenway, and MSG. They've effectively updated potential revenue streams, incorporated modern technology, and added modern luxuries/amenities without getting rid of the original shell structure. On the flip-side, if any of those old stadiums or original arenas were attempted to be preserved... but converted to something else entirely... it would also be declared a waste of money/resources.
None of those can be converted into the largest Atrium in the world, not to mention the unabated 9 acres that could be used just like any other outdoor venue, but with climate control from the elements. We will see who is right in just a few years.
I missed the part where Houston actually needs any of that right now? Those other venues are still being used for their original purpose... that is a much bigger/better accomplishment than whatever they end up doing here. Forgot to mention the Superdome earlier as well, which isn't that much younger than the Astrodome, and will end up getting far more use out of it despite a natural disaster. Will be interesting to see how they plan to recoup the cost. Its not like the city is hurting for more convention space... NRG is new, GRB was just renovated. Nobody goes to the Astrodome area unless there's an actual event at NRG, thus I expect it will be heavily used for the month of the rodeo and any time they get a big event such as final four/SB.... but remains to be seen for what else.
The same people complaining about renovating the Dome are the same types of people that would have torn down the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, or any other famous landmark if they were from the area. Why not tear down the ruins at Machu Picchu and build something that people can actually use amirite?
People continually forget that the Astrodome was unique in one other way: It is covered in skylights. Once the paint has been removed and you can actually see outside it will truly be a climate controlled outdoor experience; something no other venue comes close to having.
Defintely... but will there ever be a time where the general Houston population decides to spend a day at the Astrodome without some other major event on the grounds?
Nobody forgets that. There's also only paint over the center-field facing panels. The other panels are still translucent. Are they planning on making those more translucent? Total window experience pales in comparison to Minute Maid.... which doesn't get a lot of daytime events or concerts in the off-season... but yes, houston definitely needs more atriums, right?
I was interested in saving the dome before if there was a good plan but flooding out during the hurricane put things into perspective. How can they approve something like this right now when half of my area is still trying to get back in their homes (many can't afford to still)? why now? I know they say the money wouldn't make a dent but that's not the point. Just seems like a slap in the face from out of touch people. Shouldn't have to get nervous every time it rains hard now days! $30+ mil of city funds could be way better used.
