Houstonians Vote on Renovations to Astrodome

HOUSTON (AP) — The fate of a plan to renovate the shuttered Houston Astrodome will be in the hands of voters this fall.

Harris County commissioners on Tuesday approved placing a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot that will ask voters to authorize up to $217 million in bonds to pay for a plan to turn the stadium into a convention center and exhibition space. The iconic stadium has fallen into disrepair since it was shuttered four years ago

County officials say if the ballot measure is approved, it will mean a property tax increase.

The renovation project from the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp., dubbed "The New Dome Experience," would take about 2 ½ years to complete.

The stadium has been vacant since 2009, when it was deemed unfit for occupancy.