Texas Judge Says Demolishing Astrodome is ‘Silly’ Plan

HOUSTON (AP) — Harris County's top elected official says demolishing the Astrodome is a "silly" plan.

Judge Ed Emmett on Thursday voiced his opposition to a $66 million proposal to destroy the historic stadium to make way for green space. The Houston Chronicle reports Emmett told members of the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston he wants to repurpose the stadium instead.

Emmett says creative people could find ways to utilize the Astrodome's 350,000 square feet of free space.

The Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have been eager to free up the area now filled by the derelict dome.

The stadium opened in 1965. It was vacated by the Houston Astros in 2000 and declared unsuitable for occupancy in 2009.