The Big Debate

Astrodome gets its doomsday date? Hard deadline finally set to decide iconic, vacant Dome's future

The issue of what to do with the beleaguered Astrodome has been lingering for years. And although an official decision has not yet been made, at least there's now at least a sort of deadline for it.

At a Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation (HCSCC) board meeting on Wednesday, after approving a top-secret non-disclosure agreement recently requested by the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies for its Astrodome plan, board chairman Edgardo Colón set a deadline of June 10 for private developers to submit proposals for the iconic dome's future.

"We'll talk to anybody who wants to talk to us about the Astrodome."

The HCSCC has been hearing dozens of half-baked plans from private developers and concerned citizens, and now wants them to be officially submitted for consideration. "It puts us on a timeline," Colón said.

"We'll talk to anybody who wants to talk to us about the Astrodome," he continued, explaining that the criteria for consideration by the board are compatibility with the existing operations and master plan for Reliant Park, compliance with existing contracts and events and a viable funding mechanism.

From there, the HCSCC will submit feasible, privately-financed plans, along with any of its own public use recommendations, to the Harris County Commissioners Court for consideration during its Capital Improvements Program Hearing on June 25.

"Is there a feasible plan that's private? We don't know the answer to that — so far, no," Harris County judge Ed Emmett told the press after the public meeting, conceding that that demolition is an option, but exploration of options for ways to preserve the Astrodome in a way that is useful to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and to the Houston Texans, with an added benefit to the community, is his priority.

Once the plans have been submitted, Emmett hopes to open up to dialogue with the community at town hall meetings and public hearings.

"If you go out now . . . you get as many ideas as there are people in the room," Emmett said. "We need to narrow that so that the public knows where we're going."

The fate of the Astrodome has taken on new urgency with Houston one of two finalists to host the 2017 Super Bowl. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said that extra parking from a demolished Astrodome space would benefit Houston's bid.

Want more on the debate? Read the contrasting viewpoints of CultureMap network news director Chris Baldwin's column on the need to tear down the Astrodome and CultureMap contributor James Glassman's plea to save what he calls "Houston's Eiffel Tower" at all costs.

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Cougar Red and Houston Blue

UH expands 'Houston Blue' uniforms, rejects NFL cease-and-desist

UH continues using Houston Blue uniforms despite NFL rebuke

Photo courtesy of Houston Athletics

Luv ya Blue running wild.

University of Houston Athletics are in a “Luv ya blue” mood and they don’t care who knows it — not even the NFL.

The university has announced that its football and volleyball teams will wear new Houston Blue jerseys, reminiscent of the classic colors of the Houston Oilers era. The volleyball team's uniform will debut theirs starting November 9 against Texas Tech, while the football team will debut theirs against Baylor on November 23. At the latter event, the first 20,000 fans will receive commemorative Houston Blue rally towels.

The resemblance of the new colors to the Oilers brand was not lost on the NFL. When UH Athletics started incorporating Houston Blue into their uniforms in September 2023, the NFL sent a cease-and-desist letter claiming the uniforms were an attempt to leech off the legacy of the Oilers and the intellectual property of the team now known as the Tennessee Titans. As if to prove the point, the Titans have occasionally worn Columbia blue throwback uniforms at certain games.

UH is unbothered according to vice president for intercollegiate athletics Eddie Nuñez.

“As a university deeply connected to the fabric of Houston, incorporating ‘Houston Blue’ into our uniforms is a powerful way to celebrate the city’s rich history,” he said. “From iconic blue street markers to the Houston Police Department’s signature blue police cars and helicopters, this color holds a special place in the hearts of Houstonians. We’re thrilled to share this tradition with our fans and offer them the chance to show their pride through exclusive merchandise, making it an exciting time for Cougar Nation to rally together.”

The accompanying press release for the uniforms came with a helpful history lesson showing that the Oilers adopted a color widely associated with Houston, not the other way around. The city has incorporated blue into public infrastructure, from street curbs to city vehicles, since the 1920s. The Oilers weren’t even the first Houston team to use blue in their uniforms. That honor belongs to the minor league baseball team, the Houston Buffs.

UH will be offering a wide range of merchandise to sell in the new Houston Blue colors in person and online through the University of Houston Bookstore as well as at select local retailers. These include shirts, hats, polos, jerseys, and hoodies. Get them before the NFL sends a more strongly-worded letter.

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