By Ron Treviño, KHOU 11 – August 1, 2025
A new UH survey reveals most Houstonians want to save the Astrodome with a public-private partnership — and supporters have bold ideas for its future.
It’s a question that has lingered for years: What should be done with the Astrodome?
A new survey from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs is once again putting that question to the public — and Houstonians are responding.
For longtime residents, the Astrodome isn’t just a building — it’s a part of their history. From legendary sporting events to iconic concerts, the Astrodome has served as the backdrop for decades of Houston memories. But today, the stadium sits empty and unused.
Most support a public/private partnership
According to the UH survey, 62% of respondents support Harris County using public funds as part of a public/private partnership to renovate the Dome and turn it into an entertainment venue. 38% said no.
“What doesn’t it mean?”
So, what does the Astrodome mean to Houston?
“What doesn’t it mean? I mean, this is our landmark,” said Beth Wiedower Jackson, executive director of the Astrodome Conservancy.
“I think it’s really exciting and it validates what we at the Astrodome Conservancy have known for years, that Houstonians want to see this building preserved. They wanna get back into it, but we need to have a path forward,” she said.
That path, she says, involves a mix of public money and private investment. And she’s optimistic that momentum is building.
A legacy of bold action
To look forward, some say we must first look back — starting with the man who made the Astrodome possible: Roy Hofheinz, the legendary cigar-chomping Harris County judge.
His grandson, Dinn Mann, a sports and entertainment executive, believes the Dome’s legacy demands action.
“I think my grandfather would never be pleased with something that did not lead to action directly,” Mann said.
He’s hoping to inspire that action with a bold new vision. Using AI-generated renderings, Mann imagines the Astrodome as part of a fully integrated entertainment complex connected to NRG Stadium.
“I wanted to do something that demonstrated that future of the Astrodome is in the future of vibrant activity of the entire park,” he said.
The Eighth Wonder awaits
Whether Mann’s futuristic vision becomes a reality — or another plan takes shape — remains to be seen. But for now, the Astrodome, once hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, is still waiting for its next chapter.