What We (and You) Want in the Astrodome
Ah yes, the age-old question. What on this godly earth are we going to do with the Astrodome? The landmark rings in its 60th birthday on April 9, but there’s nothing much to celebrate. Closed to the public since 2009, the so-called “Eighth Wonder of the World” was once an unabashed source of Houston pride. Now, it’s a symbol of division and dysfunction—just sitting there, staring at us pointedly in the face every time we go to a Texans game or get stuck in traffic on the 610 South Loop.
Last November, the Astrodome Conservancy unveiled a $1 billion redevelopment plan to transform the landmark. “Vision: Astrodome” would create a year-round destination full of restaurants, shops, and a boulevard that would connect to existing buildings in NRG Park. It seemed like a great idea with a lot of support from Dome-watchers. But within days, the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation, which owns and manages NRG Park, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of its main tenants with the Houston Texans, expressed their opposition to the plan.
And so it goes, another big idea destined for the pile of previously abandoned proposals.
The last time Houstonians had a direct say in the matter was in 2013, when 53 percent of Harris County voters rejected a $217 million bond to turn the structure into an exhibition and event space. More than a decade later, we wanted to air out more voices on the subject, so we came up with some ideas—both serious and not-so-serious—and asked readers what they want for the Dome, too.
What Houstonia editors want to see in the Astrodome
Transform it into a green space.
Paging the Kinders! The transformation of our parks has been one of the biggest Houston redevelopment success stories of the past decade, thanks in part to a few deep pockets and well-funded conservancies. We think the Astrodome could use some of that verve for the green and natural. Let’s create a home for native Texas plants to thrive, complete with multiple levels of boardwalks and pathways across the dome for people to stroll and admire them. —Emma Balter
Build a supercollider in it.
Particle accelerators need a lot of round space to ram protons and electrons and the like into each other for the sake of science. The Astrodome has a lot of round space. Seems like a pretty straightforward solution. Plus, imagine the amount of time the University of Houston and Rice physics students can save having a supercollider right here in Houston—no need to fly out of state to study. —Meredith Nudo
Convert it into a mall, but a cool one.
We hear malls are back, thanks to Gen Z. Who knew the Zoomer generation would embrace such a symbol of unfettered capitalism? We’d love to see the Astrodome turn into a sprawling shopping center, but rather than the usual big-box brands, let’s give a platform to locally owned businesses. Think Kuhl-Linscomb instead of Macy’s, Daytripper Vintage instead of the Gap, Brazos Bookstore instead of Barnes & Noble, and BB’s instead of the Cheesecake Factory. —EB
Turn it into a museum to honor its history.
A museum to celebrate the Dome’s extensive history just feels right. During its time as a multipurpose stadium, it was home to the Astros, the Oilers, the Houston Stars and Hurricane soccer teams, and even the Rockets for a brief moment. The landmark has also played a huge role in pivotal moments for Houston, including being the host of the 1992 Republican National Convention and a part of the disaster response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Turning it into a museum would do justice not only to the Dome, but also to the city. —Sofia Gonzalez
Launch a space-themed amusement park.
Since it was once nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World, why not restore the Astrodome to its former glory with something out-of-this-world? Time for Houston to take cues from the beloved Astroworld amusement park that once stood just across the freeway. And it only makes sense to blast off with a theme park that embraces Houston’s cosmic legacy, maybe with rides that simulate traveling through space. —Uvie Bikomo
Make it a food hall.
Houston is growing as a food city, so let’s add another food hall. This would breathe more life into the Astrodome, while also giving residents and visitors alike more dining options. Similarly to our mall idea, we’d love to see local restaurateurs take advantage of the empty space and expand their concepts further into the city. We’re tired of the chains, so let’s get spots like ChòpnBlọk, Cochinita & Co., and Street to Kitchen in there instead. —SG
Turn it into a gladiator arena.
Houston has always been a city of forward-thinking innovation. By our expertly mathed estimates, we’re probably about a decade away from going full Hunger Games. Renovating the Astrodome into a gladiator arena helps us get ahead on training ourselves when the inevitable befalls us, and we can charge admission to different bouts and tournaments to help pay for the infrastructure repairs and upgrades that our taxes apparently aren’t covering. —MN
Use it as a shelter for Houston’s unhoused.
Let’s be real, there are more than enough luxury high-rises, museums, and food halls in this city. What we don’t have is enough safe, stable shelters for Houston’s homeless population. Imagine it: 9.5 acres of indoor space reimagined as a community of care, complete with beds, clinics, job training centers, mental health services, and transitional housing. The Dome was once a marvel of modern engineering; now it could be a model for modern compassion. —UB
Image: Shutterstock/Patrish Jackson
What Houstonia readers want to see in the Astrodome
We put out a call for your ideas on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s what you said.
“Ooooh, imagine turning the Astrodome into an indoor garden paradise—Houston’s own secret botanical wonderland. You could stroll through tropical forests, catch a butterfly show, and end with a pop-up café serving Houston-grown food (hello, local flavors!). Plus, it’d be the perfect spot to escape that Houston heat without even breaking a sweat.” —Galveston Island Spice Company on Facebook
“A lovely garden with a walking trail, gazebo, and koi pond. On mezzanine level, locally owned tea house, coffee shop, ice cream parlor, sandwich shop, and small local shops including bookstore with projector for ambience.” —Instagram user @patriciadavari
“A large indoor horticultural center with vertical farming. Food could be used for residents, and it would be a huge opportunity for agriculture education. All the state schools with an ag program could offer classes there.” —Kelly Byerley on Facebook
“Take it down to the metal beam structure throughout, let grass grow, it could at least be used for a green area park and walk through yet be remembered for what it once was!” —Chester Loth on Facebook
“A safe haven for homeless/abused animals. Some kind of shelter honestly. Our world needs more humanity, compassion, and love.” —Instagram user @theoriginalkatiegrace
“How about a smaller version of Astroworld? A year-round indoor theme park with some throwbacks to the original? If they can do it in Mall of America, we can do it in the Astrodome.” —Corey Menscher on Facebook
“Knock it down and build a 10-story parking garage. Connect separate floors of the garage to both directions of 610 and make it so getting out of the parking lot after rodeo doesn’t take an hour.” —Instagram user @amishjewtx
“We have plenty of water parks…so I wish for an indoor ski resort…lots of snow and hills and rides all involving a winter wonderland! Plus hotel rooms and restaurants.” —Karen Smith Plemons on Facebook
“A massive, hydroponic vertical gardening complex.” —Instagram user @jamespost_commercialagent
“Bike lanes? Somewhere the mayor can’t rip them out. No seriously, an all-weather safe place to teach kids to bike in safety.” —James Myers on Facebook
“Indoor zip line at the top. Not sure at the bottom.” —Instagram user @mzelle22
“Check out the Astrodome Conservancy’s wonderful idea…” —James Glassman (our very own Houstorian columnist) on Facebook
Some folks want it back as a sports stadium—they mentioned football, baseball, even a running track, and there were quite a few hockey fans out there, too. Others want Astroworld 2.0. There were also many mentions of, err, dynamite…and asbestos, of course. (The Astrodome has actually gone through asbestos remediation; that’s pretty much the only thing achieved in the past decade.)
Regardless, we appreciate the passion. Thanks for playing, y’all!
