Houston Astrodome To Come Down

The Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have developed a $66 million plan to demolish the historic Astrodome and replace it with a green space and ``Astrodome Hall of Fame.''

The Houston Chronicle obtained a copy of the 37-page proposal. The newspaper reports that the Texans and the rodeo propose to have the project completed in time for the 2017 Super Bowl at neighboring NRG Stadium, the NFL team's home venue.

The proposal comes two months after a Harris County judge asked the domed stadium's stakeholders to suggest what to do with it. The Texans and the rodeo have been eager to free up the space now filled by the derelict dome.

The Astros vacated it in 2000. It was declared unsuitable for occupancy in 2009.