Astrodome: To raze or not to raze?

A Houston Chronicle opinion piece published today suggests either fixing up Houston’s Astrodome, at considerable expense, or tearing the darned place down.

The piece, written by Richard Justice, suggests that a teardown might be more likely, stating, “If Yankee Stadium and Tiger Stadium can go, then the Astrodome can go, too.” Nevertheless, he recommends trying to save it, suggesting a full-scale renovation and a conversion into vast retail and hotel space so that it becomes a place “where people stop and stare and remember the spirit of a great American city.”

But stopping and staring and thinking about a city’s spirit is not likely to get the cash register ringing to the degree that might be needed to save the place, so Justice opens the floor to democratic alternatives, stating, “If my vision is the wrong one, that’s fine. Let’s hear yours. Let’s work together and come up with a consensus and see if there’s a way to save it.” Generally, when stuff of this nature hits the papers, it is a precursor to demolition, but time will tell.