State Sen. Whitmire To Introduce Legislation That Could Doom Astrodome Improvements

HOUSTON, TX -- State Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston) announced on Friday that he plans to introduce legislation that would require voters to approve a proposed renovation project to raise existing floors install parking beneath the dome.

Passage of this bill would effectively end the efforts of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to create underground parking to the tune of $105 million.

Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously in September to revitalize the iconic landmark, agreeing on a $105 million plan to install two levels of underground parking and converting the building's 550,000 square feet into useable public space.
In June 2016, Emmett unveiled his plan to add 1,400 parking spaces beneath the dome, which he hoped would generate revenue and make the aging sports complex viable once again.

As for the inside, which still houses a few hundred of the iconic orange and yellow folding stadium seats, that would be completely gutted and could be leased, or used by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Houston Texans for special events.

The Astrodome was long home to the Houston Astros, and the then-Houston Oilers, but has sat vacant and unused for nearly 20 years.

Last month, the Texas Historical Commission designated the Astrodome as a state antiquities landmark, which provides significant legal protections.

The designation means that Harris County, which owns the the Astrodome, must consult with and receive permission from the historical commission before pursuing any significant alterations.

Before the dome received this designation, county commissioners entertained a number of options for a renewed use, such as a theme park, sports museum, convention space, and an indoor park.

In 2013, Harris County voters rejected a $217 million bond proposal to retrofit and renovate the Astrodome

Whitmire said the voters should decide how their taxpayer money is spent on potential projects, like the Astrodome.

Image: Ed Schipul/Flickr

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