By Chandler France – Reporter, Houston Business Journal – January 16, 2025
Several recent design studies have envisioned potential plans for facilities in NRG Park, and at least one appears to show a future without the “eighth wonder of the world.”
The Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. approved multiple design studies for NRG Stadium, NRG Arena and NRG Center in 2024 as part of master planning and lease negotiations at the NRG Park. As NRG Park stakeholders plan for the future of the development, officials have said that it will include a solution for the Astrodome.
An NRG Center design study completed by Kansas City-based Populous includes a potential master plan for NRG Park. Populous’ concept shows the Astrodome removed from the NRG Park site and replaced with a central courtyard surrounded by NRG Stadium on the west, NRG Center on the north and NRG Arena on the east.
The park would be over 1.3 million square feet and could accommodate the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s carnival, as well as serve as a pre-game activation space for Houston Texans games or an outdoor concert venue.
While the HCSCC did not approve a design concept for the Astrodome, the Astrodome Conservancy, the nonprofit championing the landmark, released a $1 billion vision in November 2024 for the potential future of the stadium. The redevelopment concept includes 450,000 square feet of revenue-generating space, a 10,000-seat arena and a mixed-use district. However, the vision received pushback from RodeoHouston.
Read More Here – Including Poll of what to do with the Astrodome