HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Astrodome Conservancy officials are glad a new study shows renovation and demolition figures for the aging venue, but it remains unclear what Harris County leaders will do with the information.
When you mention the Astrodome, a flood of memories comes back.
“I caught a foul ball that was thrown by Randy Johnson,” Russel McCarty recalled.
Events that only serve as memories, since the Astrodome hasn’t hosted shows in more than 20 years. Since then, there’s been debate about what the future should be for the 60-year-old structure.
“It would be a waste of money to not renovate it,” Theresa Arrambide said. “It’s such a big building.”
More than a year ago, county officials approved a study looking into the Astrodome’s future. On Friday, the county administration office released part of the results.
The study shows demolishing the Astrodome would cost $55 million, while renovating it would cost more than $750 million.
Astrodome Conservancy executive director Beth Wiedower Jackson was happy to see the results.
“Kudos that we’re finally getting some real figures around the Astrodome,” Jackson said.
The group has worked with the county and private investors for years to explore the Astrodome’s future. While the new study shows the price tag for renovation is $752 million, the conservancy released a plan last year that would cost $1 billion.
Jackson said that while the price to renovate is much higher, it doesn’t mean it would be all taxpayer money. She said conversations are happening right now with private organizations looking turn the Astrodome into something new.
“Including anything from a hotel, restaurant, retail, cultural institutions, businesses, really the sky is the limit,” Jackson explained.
As far as what’s coming next, it’s unclear. County officials haven’t given any timeline.
A county administration spokesperson told ABC13 they won’t schedule any interviews regarding this topic. They also wouldn’t say how much it cost to conduct this study.
Eyewitness News reached out to the county judge’s office and all the commissioners, and heard back from the offices of Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Tom Ramsey.
While both declined to be interviewed, Ramsey’s office said he’d like more time to review the report.
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