Inside $1bn plan to SAVE abandoned iconic mega stadium bigger than Wembley that was dubbed ‘eighth wonder of the world’
AN ABANDONED stadium once dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World” could be given a bold makeover in a plan to save the iconic megastructure.
Plans have been unveiled to breathe new life into the Houston Astrodome – an arena even bigger than Wembley Stadium – after it closed down more than 10 years ago.
The new concept was announced on November 13 and aims to turn the Texas stadium into a “global entertainment destination”.
The “Vison: Astrodome” project includes a total of 450,000sq ft of space to generate massive amounts of revenue.
This will include space for restaurants, shops, offices and hotel space – and this space will be 20,000sq ft larger than Wembley.
Incredible concept art shows sweeping thoroughfares and events spaces under the stadium’s iconic dome.
It is a far cry from the wreck and ruin which has befallen the stadium since it closed its doors for the last time in 2009.
Shawn Stephens, a member of the Astrodome Conservancy Board of Directors, said: “Oh, I am super excited about it. I think it’s incredibly viable.
“I think it brings tourism dollars to Houston. I think it brings investment dollars to Houston.
“And I think it brings historic tax credits to Houston and Harris County that didn’t exist with any prior plan.
“I think this city within the dome is fantastic.
“It gives people the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors inside in air-conditioned comfort, which in Houston is pretty great.
“I’m really excited about it”.
However, this new vision will not come cheap.
Reports say the estimated cost to redevelop the space will reach an eye-watering £790,000 ($1billion).
Insiders are not phased by the huge price tag, however.
Ryan Levasseur says the conservancy aims to rely on a mix of private investment and public-private partnership.
He said: “We are solid with this, and the billion dollars is reflective of a very compelling design.
“And also, yes, numbers are scary.
“This is an investment, not a contribution, right?
“This isn’t just cost-based, this is investment-based.
“And so when you think about an arena and commercial real estate and all the different tools that can be leveraged for this great historic structure, it starts to be very compelling as an investment opportunity for both the public and private sectors”.
The concept has also been praised for the upgrade it is set to bring to Houston.
Jerry Alexander, one of the project’s designers, said: “It is becoming essential in the sports climate.
“So, in the Battery in Atlanta, the Milwaukee Bucks built a great piece under theirs.
“It’s essential to build a thriving kind of economic community that goes with our sports venues because the sports venues only serve our population every so often, you know, and during specific times.
“So, it’s really important that you add all of these additional uses so that we can get the most out of these venues and these attractions”.
There has been criticism towards the plans.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo expressed concerns, issuing a statement: “The proposed plan by the Astrodome Conservancy does not align with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s strategic vision and operational requirements.
“We believe the total cost of deferred, current, and future maintenance and capital improvements for these facilities is well over a billion dollars.”
The Houston Astrodome closed in 2009, and was known for being a major sports venue, including baseball, basketball and tennis.
The venue also played host to several concerts from Elvis, to The Jacksons, Madonna and Pink Floyd.
It is not currently clear when and if redevelopment will begin.