Work begins to create plan to turn Astrodome into giant park

HOUSTON (AP) — Officials will now work to develop a plan that would turn the iconic but shuttered Houston Astrodome into a massive indoor park with surrounding green space.

Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to devise a plan that would implement the Urban Land Institute’s proposal to create a civic space out of the stadium, which opened in 1965 and closed in 2009.

 The Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation, the Astrodome’s caretaker, will figure out which parts of the institute’s proposal it can include. The institute’s blueprint calls for a park inside the Astrodome, outdoor covered pavilions and additional parking spaces.

 Harris County Judge Ed Emmett says he’s hopeful a plan can be presented to county commissioners within a couple of months or less.