County to Consider "Under-the-Dome" Options. Gabrielle Banks, HoustonChronicle.com ($$$)
A dozen Astrodome enthusiasts from business and government have been meeting over the past year to hash out a plan for converting the aging landmark into an indoor park.
As those discussions continue, Harris County Commissioners Court moved forward on Tuesday with one piece of the Astrodome revival that needs to happen whether or not the park plan is achieved, according to County Judge Ed Emmett.
The court asked for an internal cost assessment for building two floors of underground parking, or a large underground storage facility, beneath the ground floor of the Astrodome.
This is not entirely true, as these discussions would NOT need to happen if demolishing the structure was a consideration. Since it's clearly not, Harris County is currently operating with imperfect information. When you don't have the full picture, and take into account all data points, then the conclusions you make are likely to be flawed.
Because of this might it be suggested that Ed Emmett punt on the Astrodome?
It's clear that, at this point, he's incapable of making a truly informed decision due to his increasing obsession over the bulbous structure. So, thanks Ed, appreciate your time in office, don't let the door hit you etc. Now, will you please stop begging the question on the Astrodome and leave it to the next group?
If you're desperate for something to do you could, as my friend Tom Kirkendall has suggested, focus on the Harris County Jail. Goodness knows it has problems. And fixing the jail mess would create a much bigger legacy than would turning the dilapidated old girl that is the Astrodome into some kind of publicly ran indoor Main Event. (Taxpayer subsidized of course)
Just take a step back and let's handle this the old fashioned way, via election. Whoever decides they want to run as your replacement should be able to offer two key planks in their election platform. 1. A comprehensive plan (which is political speak for expensive) to fix the jail. 2. A plan for what to do with the Dome. One would think that, given the number of people who are expected to vie for your old office, there will be at least a couple of people who come with the idea to put the old girl out of her misery.
Until then, if you're not willing to work on the jail, just sit back, put your feet up and have a drink (or three). Go to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and help them work out the sticky issue of open carry while you judge the Bar-B-Q. Then, late at night, after you've gorged on dodgy brisket and watered down beer you can sit in a chair and look wistfully at the Dome.
She'll probably look back at you, smile and say. "What the hell were you thinking with that whole Astrodome Experience thing?"
