THE CHRONICLE’S CHRIS MORAN revisits the topic of the moneypit once called the Eight Wonder of the World, reporting that the soccer stadium deal to be taken up by Commissioners Court today includes a redevelopment zone for the Astrodome (details of which are murky).
Moran reports that various county estimates place the remaining debt on the decrepit ‘Dome at anywhere from $19 million to $32 million. Insurance, maintenance, utilities, and security for the unused facility run about $2 million per year.
It’s well past time to raze this costly building. Have a big contest to determine who gets to push the button (like the Texas Stadium folks did). Sell off pieces of the thing to all those folks who want something physical to supplement their priceless memories. But at least get the maintenance costs for an unused/unusable facility off the books, finally.
