After considering four plans in the ongoing what-to-do-with-the-dome debate, Dallas based consultants convention Sports and Leisure have recommended a multi-use strategy, repurposing the eighth wonder of the world as a convention hall and a sports venue! This unsurprising revelation, presented to Harris County’s sports and convention agency, was the result of a study of four basic proposals:
1. flatten it, build a public plaza (the “frying pan” option)
2. luxury hotel (the popular “Renaissance option” in an online public survey was judged too expensive)
3. multipurpose venue
4. mystery option, not reported by the AP!
The recommendation now goes to the Harris County commissioners, who may decide on it as early as June 26, although there is no deadline.
Real estate blog Swamplot points out that an outstanding feature of the new proposals is their lower cost.
An Associated Press video focuses of the derelict dome’s shabby state rather than its astonishing history, but any national coverage of the Dome’s plight is likely to reduce the chance that it will be quietly demolished, like so many other Houston landmarks.
