Astrodome as a movie studio?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - - An alternative and visionary solution to the Reliant Astrodome’s uncertain future has been presented to County Judge Ed Emmett and the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation.

ASTRODOME STUDIOS " the new name tied to the future of Houston’s and Texas’ film and entertainment industry - is a concept that transforms the former stadium into a major sound stage and movie production studio with a minimal amount of reconstruction to the historic structure and with little conflict with current Reliant Park tenants, the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Major studio productions and events would not be scheduled during Rodeo season and game times. In addition, museums within the studio are included in the plan; one to showcase the Astrodome’s history, including the Rodeo’s illustrious history. The second museum will archive Texas’ 80-plus years of filmmaking and broadcast history and those Texans who have contributed to the moving image industry both in front of and behind the camera.

“Ambassador to the Astrodome” Dene Hofheinz Anton, daughter of the Astrodome’s creator, Judge Roy Hofheinz, is "thrilled with this idea” and feels that it could be quite cost-effective. “This plan could free up and control scheduling so as to accommodate the needs of our wonderful Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and The Texans. The fans would have easy access to and from all their great events. My priority is the preservation of The Astrodome, our historic landmark: The First of a Kind. As important to me is that we come-together in unison with our Rodeo and The Texans in a way that will make all citizens of Harris County proud and pleased. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a large part of The Astrodomain's History. We are all family for generations now. This (studio) could certainly be a win-win.”