First step for Astrodome renovation

​​​​HOUSTON – Harris County Commissioners Court today unanimously approved spending $10.5 million to draw up plans that will create parking under the Astrodome.

This marks the first step in a roughly $105 million plan to put the facility to use after years of sitting vacant.

The cost would be paid by the county’s general fund, hotel taxes, and parking revenues. The design process will take about a year.

The Houston Chronicle reports that raising the Astrodome’s floor to ground level would create more than 550,000-sf of rentable space and 1,400 underground parking spaces.

Specific development proposals will be brought to the court for approval this month. In addition, the Texas Historical Commission must approve the plan.

Construction won’t begin until after the Super Bowl is held at NRG Stadium in February.​