Late in 2007, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo rejected the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation’s plan for converting the historic sports venue into a hotel and entertainment facility. Some have been whispering that the Dome is obsolete and should be torn down like so much else in Amnesia City. Before we decide what its future use will be -- Let’s all commit right now to preserving our beloved Astrodome. All agreed? Good.
Yes, the idea of transforming the Dome into some sort of mixed-use project with restaurants, hotels, and parking seems to be a clever way to make money for its owner – Harris County. On the other hand, the Rodeo folks argue that any new money-making ventures might compete with their month-long occupancy of Reliant Park. Like many others, I think a compromise can be found for those two parties.
Remember, WE own the Astrodome.
Some highlights:
1960s Former Mayor Judge Roy Hofheinz conceives idea for the world’s first enclosed, air-conditioned domed stadium.
1965 Harris County Domed Stadium opens, home to Astros, and is dubbed Astrodome.
1966 Artificial grass is introduced, dubbed AstroTurf.
1966 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo move to Dome.
1966 “Game of the Century” - University of Houston Men’s Basketball defeats UCLA.
1968 AFL Oilers move to Dome.
1970 Elvis Presley plays Rodeo for the first time.
1988 Oilers owner threatens to move team, lobbies for, and wins modifications to Dome. Four-Story tall Scoreboard removed to add 15,000 new seats.
1989 Four circular stair towers added to exterior.
1992 Republican National Convention.
1996 Oilers owner moves team to Tennessee.
1990s Astros owner proposes moving team, or city building new facility.
1999 Final Astros game in Astrodome
2000 Ballpark at Union Station opens Downtown, now Minute Maid Park.
2002 Reliant Stadium opens next to Dome, home to Texans expansion football team
2003 Owner Harris County request for proposals issued.
2003 Final season of Rodeo in Astrodome, later moves to Reliant Stadium.
2005 Houston hosts 25,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina in Dome and surrounding Reliant Center.
2006 Astrodome Redevelopment Co. formed to propose new use for Dome. City Council rejects demolition proposal.
1965 Harris County Domed Stadium opens, home to Astros, and is dubbed Astrodome.
1966 Artificial grass is introduced, dubbed AstroTurf.
1966 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo move to Dome.
1966 “Game of the Century” - University of Houston Men’s Basketball defeats UCLA.
1968 AFL Oilers move to Dome.
1970 Elvis Presley plays Rodeo for the first time.
1988 Oilers owner threatens to move team, lobbies for, and wins modifications to Dome. Four-Story tall Scoreboard removed to add 15,000 new seats.
1989 Four circular stair towers added to exterior.
1992 Republican National Convention.
1996 Oilers owner moves team to Tennessee.
1990s Astros owner proposes moving team, or city building new facility.
1999 Final Astros game in Astrodome
2000 Ballpark at Union Station opens Downtown, now Minute Maid Park.
2002 Reliant Stadium opens next to Dome, home to Texans expansion football team
2003 Owner Harris County request for proposals issued.
2003 Final season of Rodeo in Astrodome, later moves to Reliant Stadium.
2005 Houston hosts 25,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina in Dome and surrounding Reliant Center.
2006 Astrodome Redevelopment Co. formed to propose new use for Dome. City Council rejects demolition proposal.
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