The US’ obsession with stadium demolition turns its sights on Houston Astrodome.
It’s an icon of its time, an engineering marvel that helped to define a city. It has a dome that is recognised by millions. And it could be facing the wrecking ball.
The fate of the Houston Astrodome – the “eighth wonder of the world” – is now hanging in the balance.
Debates are flaring in both cities over the future of the aging relics, one-time architectural gems burdened by debt and abandoned by longtime tenants — the Penguins in Pittsburgh, the Astros and Oilers in Houston.
In Houston, after playing host to major sporting events and some of the world’s most famous entertainers, the Astrodome, opened in 1965, has fallen into a state of disrepair. Its sprinkler system doesn’t work, the plumbing is shot and the Houston fire marshal has declared the world’s first domed stadium off limits to occupants.
With that in mind, the future of the fading landmark could end up in the hands of voters. One option would be to demolish the structure and replace it with a park at a cost of $128 million. The plan also would pay off $40 million in debt still on the building.
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