The Fate of The AstroDome Lies in the Hand of the Voters

Judgment day for the Houston AstroDome is November 5th, as voters decide the fate of the 8th Wonder of the World, but you wouldn’t know it as parts of the stadiums exterior turns to dust.

“Our concern is the word got out somehow that demolishing of the Astrodome has started and that’s not the case,” said Edgar Colon, with the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation.

Colon says the work being done now had to be done if the dome survives election day or not.

“There’s also on the east side there’s some asbestos remediating,” Colon said. “That’s work we have to do regardless.”

Opened in 1965 the Astrodome was dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. But since 2009 it’s been more of a “what the heck are we going to do with it now?”

“We are the voice for historic preservation,” said Beth Wiedower with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The National Trust is part of a well heeled push to keep the Dome. That organization has named the Astrodome as one of America’s 35 National Treasures.

“The dome is nationally significant,” Wiedower said. “”It was the first of it’s kind in the world first domed stadium. It is a marvel.”

But treasures aren’t cheap. If voters decide to save the dome they will pay for it out of their own pockets. A property increase of around half a cent per 100 dollars of assessed value. So if your home is worth 200 thousand dollars your taxes will go up 8 bucks a year. While no tax money is being used to sway voters, those supporting the “new dome experience” are everywhere with websites and videos touting the dome as an event and exhibition center.

Here is one of my favorites:

From Monday, October 21, through Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, the “Save the Dome” Coalition will drive a 26-foot-long truck, known affectionately as the Dome Mobile, on a multi-stop tour around H-Town. 

Our goal? Get as many Dome supporters as possible to pledge their support for saving and reinventing this amazing piece of history!

We promise – you won’t be able to miss us! The Dome Mobile will be emblazoned with dynamic images of the Eighth Wonder of the World. Inside the truck, you’ll be able to learn more about the benefits of preserving this architectural icon, write your Astrodome memories and preservation messages on our “story wall,” and walk on actual Astroturf from inside the Dome!

And of course, we’ll have tons of awesome “Save the Dome” swag up for grabs!

The first stops of the interactive truck include:

• Monday, October 21, at Crave Cupcake, 1151 Uptown Park Boulevard, 11 AM to 2 PM
• Tuesday, October 22, at One Shell Plaza, 901 Louisiana Street, 6-8 PM
• Wednesday, October 23, at 14 Pews Theater, 800 Aurora Street, 5-7 PM
• Saturday, October 26, at Urban Harvest Farmers Market, 3000 Richmond Drive, 8 AM to Noon
• Saturday, October 26, at 8th Wonder Brewery, 2202 Dallas Street, 6-8 PM

The full Dome Mobile schedule will be updated regularly here and will be promoted at@OurAstrodome on Twitter and Our Astrodome on Facebook.

You can help spread the word on social media using hashtag #SaveTheDome!

An awesome short film about the Dome: