Harris County Judge Ed Emmett presented a new plan for the Astrodome in late August, proposing that the facility be turned into the world's largest indoor park and recreation center.

"Rather than try to convert the Dome into something it was never intended to be, I think it is time to look back to the original vision of Judge Hofheinz," Emmett said. "That vision was to provide a place for traditional outdoor activities in a climate-controlled space."

Details of the plan are still being tweaked, but the facility could be open to the public throughout the year when not in use by tenants, such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Offshore Technology Conference. The concept could include open green space for festivals and community gatherings along with a pavilion and sporting facilities like hike and bike trails.

Last November, voters in Harris County rejected a proposal to repurpose the Astrodome into a multipurpose special events facility, leaving the final say of what will happen to the building with county commissioners.