- Garner wrote:
- Why don't they just utilize the Astrodome?
Since 2008 when the facility was cited with numerous code violations only maintenance workers and security guards are allowed to enter the Astrodome.[7] The city council has rejected demolition plans on environmental grounds, over concerns that demolition of the Dome might damage the dense development that today closely surrounds it [citation needed]. Being the world's first domed stadium, historic preservationists may also object to the landmark being demolished, although it is not included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Houston's plan to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games included renovating the Astrodome for use as a main stadium.[8] Houston became one of the USOC's bid finalists, but the organization chose New York City as its candidate city; the Games ultimately were awarded to London by the IOC.
The Astrodome was ranked 134th in the "America's Favorite Architecture" poll commissioned by the American Institute of Architects, that ranked the top 150 favorite architectural projects in America as of 2007.[9]
Plans to convert the Astrodome into a luxury hotel have also been rejected [citation needed]. A new proposal to convert the Astrodome into a movie production studio is currently under discussion.[10][11] All renovation plans must deal with the problem of occupancy code violations that have basically shuttered the facility for the near future.[12]
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