Today, as part of Domecoming 2018, the public will have an opportunity to see the inside of the Houston Astrodome one last time before rehabilitation of the venue begins this fall. Hosted by the Astrodome Conservancy and Harris County, this event marks the culmination of a years-long campaign to save the iconic stadium and kicks-off a recently-approved $105 million redevelopment plan. The following is a statement from Stephanie K. Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation:

“We applaud the Harris County Commissioners Court’s unanimous vote to save and reinvent the Astrodome as a multifunctional park and event space—hosting countless activities year-round and connecting millions of residents and visitors in new and innovative ways. As the embodiment of Houston’s rich sports and entertainment history and can-do spirit, the ‘Eight Wonder of the World’ deserves to be kept alive and relevant to the needs of its surrounding communities.

“Since adding the stadium to our annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and naming it a National Treasure in 2013, the National Trust has been engaged with state and local officials, preservationists and stakeholders to adopt a vibrant and sustainable reuse option for the Astrodome. We’re delighted to say that this momentous win represents both an opportunity for the Astrodome to inspire future generations and a significant step forward for public-private preservation partnerships in Houston.”

Funding for Domecoming 2018 was made possible through Heineken’s The Cities Project, a crowdfunding initiative in collaboration with the National Trust, which allowed Astrodome fans across the country to contribute to the celebration directly.

To learn more about the National Trust’s ongoing National Treasures campaigns to save irreplaceable historic sites, such as Houston’s LULAC Clubhouse or Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum, please visit: www.savingplaces.org/national-treasures