Local residents have shown strong support for using public funds to preserve and restore the historic stadium as an entertainment venue.
A recent analysis projects the cost of renovating Houston’s historic Astrodome stadium at over $750 million, prompting questions over the future of the building.
As Sarah Grunau reports for Houston Public Media, “The cost-intensive projection by Kirksey Architecture presents another hurdle to revitalize the famed structure that’s been vacant for longer than a decade and sits dormant in Houston’s NRG Park.” Financing the renovation of the world’s first domed stadium, which would only bring the Astrodome back “to basic operation functionality,” would require significant private investment.
Demolishing the structure would cost approximately $54 million. However, “In a survey this year from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, Harris County voters overwhelmingly supported using public funds to renovate the Astrodome for use as an entertainment venue.”
Read the full story: Renovating Houston’s Astrodome could cost $750 million, analysis finds
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.
California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority