File photo
Harris County voters overwhelmingly support using public funds to renovate the Astrodome for use as an entertainment venue, according to a new survey from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.
The most recent survey asked voters if they would support the use of public funds as part of a public-private partnership to add offices, lodging, retail and restaurants to the long-dormant building. According to the survey, 62% said they would support the move.
The dome, which saw its last publicly held event in 2002, has been vacant for years. County and sports officials have long weighed options for the building once known as “Eighth Wonder of the World,” but none have stuck.
Recent cost analyses, including one that was unveiled by the Astrodome Conservancy last year, have reached staggering estimates of about $1 billion. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation approved a study in 2024 to look into a cost analysis of the structure. That study is expected to determine the direction of the Astrodome’s future and evaluate NRG Park and its facilities as a whole.
RELATED: Astrodome study approved for cost analysis by Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation
The conversancy’s $1 billion Astrodome redesign plan includes raising the floor 30 feet and creating a flexible arena space surrounded by offices, hotel spaces and an array of restaurants for visitors.
It was immediately met with pushback after the conservancy said it would need a $250 million investment from the county for the project. Representatives of the organization also said they would plan to utilize $400 million in tax credits alongside private and public partnerships to get the project off the ground.
In a statement, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — the only tenant that uses all three buildings in NRG Park — said the costly project doesn’t align with the nonprofit’s strategic vision and operational requirements.
The survey also revealed that roughly three-quarters of Harris County voters believe that the county should fund at least a portion of the cost of renovating NRG Stadium.
Twenty-six percent of Harris County voters believe the county should pay up to 40% of the renovation costs for NRG Stadium. About 26% of survey respondents believe the county should not bear any costs associated with the stadium renovations.
Most respondents said they have a favorable opinion of the stadium’s two tenants — the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Houston Texans. NRG Stadium is in need of renovations costing between $1 billion and $2 billion. When the stadium was first built, 60 percent of the cost was covered by public funds, according to the study.
Great Job & the Team @ Houston Public Media Source link for sharing this story.
