The Astrodome is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Now, Harris County has a choice: let one of Houston’s most important landmarks continue sitting empty and deteriorating, or bring together public and private investment to give it a future.

The Astrodome opened in 1965, and was the first fully enclosed, air-conditioned major sports stadium in the world. The National Park Service has recognized its importance in architecture, engineering, and entertainment, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. In 2026, the National Park Service also determined that the Astrodome meets the criteria to be considered for National Historic Landmark designation.

But despite its history, the building has sat mostly unused for years.

Harris County’s own 2025 analysis made one thing clear: the county cannot realistically afford to restore the Astrodome on its own. The county estimated that simply bringing the building back to basic operational condition would cost around $753 million, and said significant private investment would be needed.

That shouldn’t be the end of the Astrodome. It should be the start of finding a real solution.

There is already a path worth considering. The Astrodome Conservancy has proposed turning the building into a mixed-use destination while preserving its historic structure. The plan would combine public funding with significantly more private investment, along with historic rehabilitation tax credits where applicable.

We are calling on Harris County leaders to work with preservation organizations, private investors, developers, NRG Park stakeholders, and the community to create a financially realistic plan to preserve and reuse the Astrodome.

The goal shouldn’t be to keep an empty building standing forever. The goal should be to give the Astrodome a new purpose and turn it back into a place people can actually use, while preserving the architecture and engineering that made it famous around the world.

Houston built something that had never been done before in 1965. We shouldn’t give up on it simply because finding its next purpose is difficult.

Sign this petition to show your support in saving the Astrodome and demand that Harris County pursue public and private funding to preserve, redevelop, and reopen the Astrodome for future generations.