Here Is What Is Going To Happen To The Houston Astrodome

The Houston Astrodome was considered an architectural marvel when it was completed in 1965.

It was the first covered football stadium on the planet and a sports venue that changed all others after it, according to Gizmodo.

Now, despite being made part of the National Register for Historic Places, the only thing certain about the Astrodome is that its future is uncertain.

All of the sports teams left it in 1995 and essentially nothing has been done with the stadium since then. The Astroturf that has been torn up, but other than that, it was simply abandoned in its current state. More than any other problem, the venue was just outdated.

In 2013, voters in Houston turned down a $217 million bond to convert it into a convention center — they obviously don't care about it.

A couple of writers at Gizmodo offered their takes on what should become of it, which were interesting, but seemed to lack practical support.

Beth Wiedower called for a renovation of the Astrodome that would be profitable while "protecting and highlighting the design and engineering that make the Dome significant."

That's an admirable goal but the dome was already "The Eighth Wonder of the World" at one point. A project that would make that type of historical slash again hasn't been proposed.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has been working to save the building, which is "in a city where newer is better and a limited number of buildings make it past the 50-year mark," Wiedower wrote.

According to Gizmodo, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is asking those supporting the dome's existence to contact Harris County officials. If it can't be made into something profitable without using tax dollars, Wiedower thinks the architecture itself could buy it time.

Alissa Walker offered a solution of her own had some choice words on Texans.

"The people have spoken, and they want to blow it up," she wrote. "But we all know Texans don't necessarily appreciate the value of their architectural gems. So we have to take a more macro look at the situation in a way that will appeal to those same voters: How can the Astrodome make Houston feel good-fast?"

Walker suggested something more advantageous than Wiedower.

"My idea is called Space City: A comprehensive, privately funded space exploration experience in and around the Astrodome. Dubbed after the nickname bestowed upon Houston when NASA arrived, Space City will serve as an expanded educational center, entertainment complex, and theme park. Corporate sponsors like Boeing and Honeywell will help defray the costs to the city and voters, and retired NASA employees can serve as docents and staff."

That sounds like Disney's Tomorrowland, except larger. Coming up with the funding for that, given the struggle to develop the Astrodome thus far, sounds unlikely.

So what is going to happen to the Astrodome? Nothing. At least probably not any time soon.