Nonprofit Pitches $1 Billion Astrodome Redevelopment

A Houston nonprofit has proposed a sweeping redevelopment of the city’s iconic Astrodome, but key players still aren’t convinced on the idea.

The Astrodome Conservancy’s $1 billion proposal, called “Vision: Astrodome,” aims to redevelop the stadium into a multifunctional venue with retail, dining, a hotel and exhibition space, the Houston Chronicle reported. The source of funding wasn’t detailed, except that it would be through “public-private partnership.”

The 450,000-square-foot project, designed by architect Gensler Houston, would add four buildings within the stadium, supporting year-round activity. The plan would add 1,500 parking spaces and livestock facilities for rodeo events.

The design envisions a central boulevard inspired by New York’s Highline that would link to other structures within NRG Park.

However, the nonprofit needs support from Harris County, which owns NRG Park and is landlord to the NFL’s Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which share NRG Stadium.

Long-term leases with the Texans and the rodeo give them contractual rights to the Astrodome, the conservancy’s executive director Beth Wiedower Jackson told the outlet. Those leases don’t expire until 2030 or ’31, so any proposal would have to meet their approval. The tenants are resistant because they want any available county funds to be spent on NRG Stadium, she said.

The Texans didn’t comment on the plan, but the rodeo is not on board.

“The rodeo has not had formal conversations with the Astrodome Conservancy in more than a year,” the rodeo’s CEO Chris Boleman told the outlet. “The rodeo does not support the previously presented concepts as they conflict with our organization’s strategic vision and operational needs.”

The conservancy, led by chairman Phoebe Tudor, has raised $3.5 million since it was founded in 2016. The Astrodome was built in 1965 and was designated a State Antiquities Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 2017. The nonprofit estimates that it would cost $100 million and take a year to demolish.

Gensler said he estimates that the redevelopment would take about two years and involve little disruption to NRG Stadium.

— Andrew Terrell