HOUSTON — The county that owns the Houston Astrodome is considering a plan to build a two-level parking garage inside the derelict domed stadium.
The hope is to kick-start retrofitting and repurposing of the 51-year-old Houston icon that has stood vacant for 17 years.
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who is the county’s top elected administrator, is proposing raising the Astrodome floor to create a garage to accommodate 1,800 cars. Emmett spokesman Joe Stinebacker said that would ensure the structure is protected for future use.
The $105 million plan would allow 240,000 square feet of floor space for use for an indoor park or a special-events venue.
A cost analysis of raising the floor and gutting the rest of the structure is to be presented to the county capital improvement committee Tuesday.
