The Astrodome redevelopment plans gets opposition

(10/30/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- It was once called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Now, plans are up in the air on what happens next for the Astrodome.

Today, two big organizations came out against a proposal to redevelop the Dome, saying a convention center or hotel would have a negative impact.

But until something is done with the aging icon, maintaining the Dome is the job of Harris County.

"Every day we still have to pay the bills at the Astrodome and people are still wondering what comes next," said Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.

The county commissioners chose the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation to come up with a plan which resulted in a convention and entertainment complex. Today that plan hit a major roadblock when both the Texans and the Rodeo came out against it.

"The redevelopment of the Dome is a high priority for us, we just don't think we've found the right project yet," said Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes.

Leroy Shafer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo says an entertainment facility would suck money directly from the Rodeo.

"If this facility is going to take our crowd and they buy food and merchandise from there, that is taking money straight from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo," he told us.

But the redevelopment corporation points out since Texans only have ten game days a year and the Rodeo lasts about a month there is plenty of room for another new venue and neighbor.

"It's always been to us the Eighth Wonder of the World, and it would be great to make it the Ninth Wonder of the World," said Don Henderson who is a consultant with the Astrodome Redevelopment Corporation.

(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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