For those that were holding on to hope that the historic, iconic and uniquely Houstonian structure could be saved, this secretive deal is certainly a big blow.  Here’s the news via the Houston Chronicle…

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the NFL’s Houston Texans have devised a $66 million plan to demolish the vacant Astrodome and turn the site into an outdoor green space that is reminiscent of downtown’s Discovery Green and also pays tribute to the historic stadium.

The project, titled the “Astrodome Hall of Fame,” would be completed in time for the 2017 Super Bowl at NRG Stadium, according to a 37-page proposal obtained by the Houston Chronicle.

The plan is designed to pay tribute to “the Astrodome’s history” and realize its potential as an “outdoor fulcrum” of the South Loop sports complex, according to the plan drawn up by two construction and architecture firms.

After last year’s contentious vote and with the time clock ticking closer to 2017, this news shouldn’t come as a surprise. What should we expect to happen to a building if it remains abandoned for a over a decade without any maintenance or care?

Another interesting point per above… thus far, these plans by the Texans and the Rodeo are not public knowledge were not officially released, but apparently uncovered by Chronicle reporters.  It would be interesting to know how long the organizations would be willing to hold on to them before just taking action, in hopes of avoiding a sustained public outcry.

UPDATE: This proposal has yet to be presented to Harris County Commissioner’s Court.