Indoor park scheme could save Houston's Astrodome
by Tom Anstey | 02 Apr 2015
The Houston Astrodome, could be saved and turned into a multi-use leisure facility, following the publication of a new report by the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
The ULI report was complied by a panel of experts from the fields of architecture, urban planning and land use. Suggestions include a ground-level open space that could host an array of activities including an adventure park, indoor track, zip lines and mountain bike trails. An agricultural approach has also been proposed, with space to support an aquaponics research lab and centre for sustainable farming.
The future of the building looked to be in jeopardy when voters rejected a US$217m (€202m, £147m) proposal to turn it into a multi-purpose convention centre in late 2013.
The new plan would breathe life into the vast domed structure, which first opened in 1965 and has hosted baseball, football, live music and professional wrestling, among other things.
The Astrodome closed in 2008 after it breached multiple building code violations.
Designed by Architects Hermon Lloyd & WB Morgan, and Wilson, Morris, Crain and Anderson, the building is on the US National Register of Historic Places, meaning any potential investor would receive tax breaks for preserving it.
The proposal also recommends a “pedestrian corridor lined with oak trees and edged by pavilions to provide shade and rain protection.” The dome’s promenade would surround a central lawn for informal field sports, along with seating and children’s play areas.
The ULI proposal has been costed at US$242m (€225m, £164m), US$25m (€23.2m, £17m) more than the voter-rejected proposal in 2013 and funding plans are not yet in place.
To read the report, click here.
The dome has hosted multiple sports over the last 50 years Credit: Shutterstock.com
The dome set an all-time record attendance of 67,925 hosting WrestleMania X-Seven Credit: Wikipedia.com
The Astrodome was closed in 2008 for multiple building code violations Credit: ULI
The Houston Astrodome, could be saved and turned into a multi-use leisure facility, following the publication of a new report by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The ULI report was complied by a panel of experts from the fields of architecture, urban planning and land use. Suggestions include a ground-level open space that could host an array of activities including an adventure park, indoor track, zip lines and mountain bike
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