As if by divine intervention – or perhaps years of strategy, advocacy, and politicking – the Astrodome National Treasure campaign culminated this week with the unanimous vote of the Harris County Commissioners’ Court to spend $105 million for Phase 1 of the Dome’s rehabilitation. Phase 1 includes the creation of a new at-grade floor over two levels of parking, storage, and back-of-house space that will generate significant revenue towards the annual maintenance and future development of the Astrodome. The plan, scheduled to break ground in Summer 2018 and last roughly 24 months, will also refresh three of the four compass entrance points while preserving and restoring the fourth to its original 1965 appearance and function.

The funding comes after almost a decade of vacancy and heated debate over the future of the world’s first domed stadium, which includes the National Trust’s involvement for the past 4 and a half years.

Simultaneous to the vote to spend $105 million on construction is an affirmation of and financial support for the Astrodome Conservancy. This private, non-profit entity was established in June 2016 to assist Harris County in the rehabilitation, management, development, and promotion of the Dome on behalf of the county’s citizens and visitors. The County’s recognition of the Conservancy as its development partner is a significant step forward for the future of the project and the Dome in creating a true public-private partnership.

The National Trust is thrilled to wrap up our day-to-day work on the Astrodome campaign with this momentous good news. Join us in 2020 to experience the reinvented Astrodome in Houston.