Astrodome Fact Sheet Spring / Summer 2021 Page 1 / 7 English History of the Astrodome The Astrodome is Houston’s most significant architectural Houston Oilers and cultural asset. Opened in 1965, and soon nicknamed the “8th Wonder of the World,” the world’s first domed stadium was conceived to protect sports spectators from Houston’s heat, humidity, and frequent inclement weather. The brainchild of then-Houston Mayor Roy Hofheinz, the former Harris County Judge assembled a team to finance and develop the Dome, with the help of R.E. Bob Smith, who owned the land the Astrodome was built on and was instrumental in bringing professional baseballs’ Colt 45s (now the Astros) to Houston. The Astrodome was the first Harris County facility specifically designed and built as a racially integrated building, playing an important role in the desegregation of Houston during the Civil Rights Movement. football configuration The Astrodome was revolutionary for its time as the first fully enclosed and air conditioned multi-purpose sports arena - an Football Between 1968 and 1996, the Houston Oilers engineering feat of epic proportions. The innovation, audacity, called1965 1968 the Dome home as well, until1996 the franchise left town2021 and “can-do” spirit of Houston at mid-Century was embodied to become the Tennessee Titans. It served several other in the Astrodome. It was home to multiple professional and professional football teams, including the Houston Texans amateur sports teams and events over the years, as well in 1974, the Houston Gamblers from 1984 to 1985, and the as hosting the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Houston Energy (an independent women’s football team) (HLSR), concerts, community and political events. When from 2002 to 2006. The Astrodome hosted University of the skylights that make up the roof of the Dome prevented Houston Cougars collegiate football between 1965 and outfielders from seeing fly balls, they were quickly painted 1997, and from 1968 until 1984, the annual Astro-Blue over causing the turf grasses that covered the field to die. Bonnet Bowl was held there. The solution? Astroturf -- a chemical product developed to simulate real turf grass without the maintenance and Houston Livestock dependence on sunlight. The Astrodome was also the first Show and Rodeo sports stadium in the county to feature luxury skyboxes and suites for owners and super-fans, as well as levels and levels of themed dining and drinking options. Houston Astros rodeo configuration Rodeo From 1966 until 2002, the Astrodome was the primary venue1966 for the Houston Livestock Show 2002and Rodeo. With all2021 baseball configuration the space and configurations available inside the Dome, the HLSR grew to be one of the largest and most recognized Baseball The Astrodome was home to the Houston Astros livestock and roping events in the country. NRG Park is still from1965 1965’s MLB Opening Day until1999 the close of the 19992021 the home of the HLSR, which includes contractual rights to season. It also hosted MLB All-Star games in 1968 and 1986. the Astrodome. #OurFutureDome Future-Dome.com @AstrodomeConservancy @AstrodomeFans Astrodome Fact Sheet Spring / Summer 2021 Page 1 / 7 English History of the Astrodome Basketball The Houston Rockets occupied the Astrodome Ali vs Williams part-time between 1971 and 1975. It hosted multiple other notable basketball games, such as the first nationally televised collegiate basketball game - 1968’s “Game of the Century” between the UCLA Bruins and the University of Houston Cougars, and the 1989 NBA All-Star Game. Soccer In 1967 and 1968, the Houston Stars soccer team played in the Astrodome, followed by the Houston Hurricanes from 1978 to 1980. The Astrodome played host to many other significant cultural events and historical milestones: Boxing In 1966, in the heavyweight title fight, Muhammad Ali knocked out Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams. Ali returned Ali vs Williams configuration Hurricane Katrina to the Dome again in 1967 and 1970, facing Ernie Terrell Refugee Shelter and Jimmy Ellis. 1966 2021 Motorcycling The Astrodome hosted many motocross races over the years, and in 1971, Evel Knievel jumped his motorcycle over a record 13 cars two nights in a row. Tennis In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the legendary “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match broadcast on national television. Concerts The Astrodome hosted concerts such as Judy Garland in 1965, Elvis Presley in 1970 and 1974 (with record audiences), The Jackson Five in 1973, multiple Rolling Stones’ concerts in 1981, 1989, and 1994, Selina’s last performance before her death in 1995, and George Katrina refugee shelter Strait in 2002 -- his final performance in the Astrodome and the venue’s last concert before closing its doors. 1965 2005 2021 Astros (1965-99) Political Events The 1992 Republican National Convention, which saw President George H.W. Bush nominated for HLSR (1968-96) reelection, pointed the eyes of the nation on Houston and Oilers (1966-2002) the Astrodome. Major Concerts (1965-2002) Wrestling In 2001, the Astrodome hosted Wrestlemania Ali vs Williams (1966) X-Seven in which “Stone Cold” Steve Austin defeated the Houston Stars & Hurricanes Rock in the WWF Championship. (1967-68 & 1978-80) Evel Knievel (1971) Disaster Relief In 2005, the Astrodome served as refuge Rockets (1971-75) for thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees from Louisiana Battle of the Sexes (1973) after they were rescued from New Orleans and coastal areas and brought to Houston. A fitting final act for the Astrodome RNC (1992) who’s doors were opened to all since the beginning. Wrestlemania (2001) Hurricane Katrina Closed Lacking a Certificate of Occupancy, the Astrodome Refugee Shelter (2005) officially closed its doors in 2009. The Dome has remained Empty (2009-21) empty since then, awaiting a viable new use. 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 #OurFutureDome Future-Dome.com @AstrodomeConservancy @AstrodomeFans Astrodome Fact Sheet Spring / Summer 2021 Page 2 / 7 English What’s Next? Since its closing in 2009, there have been many ideas Who Owns the Dome? proposed for the reuse of the Dome, including a hotel, event The Astrodome and NRG Park are owned, maintained, and convention space, festival space, amateur sports arena, and operated by Harris County. NRG Park has two primary theme park, movie studio, entertainment venue, museum, tenants, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the park or recreation space, disaster relief space, and, sadly, Houston Texans. Their leases run through 2032, and give its demolition. So far, none of these proposals have been them a lot of influence over how the site is operated, including presented with viable funding sources that work within the and impacting the Astrodome. current operational structure of NRG Park. What is the Astrodome Conservancy? In 2013, after being closed for several years, a $217 million In 2016, the Astrodome Conservancy was founded as proposal to convert the Astrodome into a multi-use event the champion of the landmark Astrodome on behalf of space was narrowly defeated by Harris County voters. the people of Houston and Harris County. As a private, In 2013 and 2014, the Astrodome was named a National non-profit organization, their mission is to promote Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Astrodome’s legacy through preservation and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2017, development, advocate for public access, and create the Astrodome was designated a Texas State Antiquities programming that inspires and engages. And the Landmark, effectively securing its future on the Houston Conservancy wants the Astrodome to be dynamic and landscape and paving the way for redevelopment. accessible to all. Since 2019, they have been working diligently to explore In 2018, a pared-down $105 million version of the 2013 alternative financing tools for redevelopment, perform proposal was approved by Harris County Commissioners public outreach, identify possible energy alternatives Court. This version proposed a multi-use event floor brought and incentives, and build partnerships locally and up to ground level with two levels of parking underneath. nationally to support reinvestment in the Eighth Wonder of the World. In 2020, the Astrodome Conservancy In 2019, the project was put on hold due to concerns over raised enough private funds to launch this community the usability of the Dome once re-opened. Currently, it engagement campaign to understand what the public is estimated that the Dome costs less than 1% of Harris envisions for the future of the Astrodome. County’s annual budget to maintain and operate each year. Harris County Commissioners Court has expressed the need What is ‘Future Dome’ and What Are We Trying to Do? for an Astrodome reuse and redevelopment plan that does “Future Dome” is a two-month long community not require significant public capital investment, will generate engagement campaign where we are asking for your revenue to offset expenses, and one that has public benefit. input on the future of the Astrodome through a series of surveys, engagement activities, informative materials, and public meetings. The information provided here How do you think we is aimed at giving you the information you need to formulate informed opinions and helpful feedback, but should use the Dome? our main goal is to listen to you, the public. The results of this campaign will be used to develop and demonstrate support for an innovative, feasible, and community-backed approach to the reuse of the Dome. Let’s make it ours! repurpose possibilities 1965 2009 2021 #OurFutureDome Future-Dome.com @AstrodomeConservancy @AstrodomeFans Astrodome Fact Sheet Spring / Summer 2021 Page 3 / 7 English Funding & Public Benefit There are several constraints that make preserving and reusing the Astrodome challenging. It is important to understand these constraints so that we can ensure that NRG Park we propose a new use that will take these constraints into is 350 acres account and be a viable option for reuse.