If supported by commissioners on Tuesday, the county will commit $10.5 million to the design phase of the project and get started ironing out more of the details. The $10.5 million will come from a combination of general fund revenue, parking revenue and hotel occupancy tax revenue. The overall project is estimated to cost $105 million.
The repurposing plan was first introduced at the June 28 Commissioners Court meeting.
If construction moves forward, the Astrodome could eventually house a parking garage and 9 acres of open space to accommodate events, festivals and leases. The plan includes raising the floor of the Astrodome to ground level and constructing a subterranean parking garage that will accommodate 1,400 vehicles.
The restructuring could also be used to lease office, restaurant or retail space, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said.
Although the upgrades do not require voter approval, the plan must also be approved by the Texas Historical Commission. THC opted to postpone its vote on the application at its quarterly meeting in July. The date of the next meeting has not been set.
Read more about the proposal here.
