Roundtable discussion on the future of the Astrodome

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Harris County Judge Ed Emmett held a round table discussion on the future of the Houston Astrodome Wednesday.

About 30 people, including representatives from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Texans, and NRG Stadium, attended the "Astrodome stakeholders' meeting."

One big topic - historical designation.

The Texas Historical Commission has nominated the Astrodome as a state antiquities landmark. That nomination puts temporary protection over the Astrodome; county officials will have to file permits and get approval before beginning any project work.

"It doesn't prevent demolition in all cases or instances," said Beth Wiedower with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "It does, however, require review and permitting before any work is done."

Harris County resident Tim Powell filed for the historical designation in an effort to save the Astrodome.

"It's owned by the taxpayers," Powell said. "So shouldn't one aspect of the decision making on whether the dome should be saved or not be its cultural significance?"

Last year, voters rejected a bond referendum to turn the stadium into a convention and events center. The county said the vote meant demolition, but that hasn't happened yet, and the county still pays some $2.5 million annually to maintain the Astrodome.

"To have more taxes would be kind of painful," said Mary Jenkins, who supports demolition of the Astrodome.

"Those kinds of things don't come around every decade or every half century," Bill Cannon says. "I think it should be preserved."

An official vote on the historical designation is scheduled for July.