Judge calls Astrodome demolition proposal 'a silly plan'

A judge in Harris County, Texas, doesn't think much of the idea of demolishing the Astrodome in Houston, calling the proposal "a silly plan."

Judge Ed Emmett addressed a crowd at a downtown Houston hotel and said the Houston Texans' and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's joint proposal needs to be reconsidered.

The two parties' proposed $66 million plan would turn the stadium into a grassy, outdoor space where festivals, tailgating and concerts could be held.

"It's a silly plan," Emmett said, via the Houston Chronicle. "I told them: If you're going to tear it down, just tear it down. I mean, is anybody going to care this is where Harmon Killebrew hit a home run?"

The Astrodome opened in 1965 and was the world's first domed sports stadium.

In November, Houston voters rejected a $213 million referendum to renovate and convert the stadium into a convention center and exhibition space.

The Houston Astros last played in the stadium in October 1999 and the Houston Oilers occupied the building until 1996 before moving to Tennessee.

"The Astrodome is the only building in the world that's 350,000 square feet of column-free space," Emmett said. "There are a lot of creative people in the world who would love to figure out ways to use the space if we just keep it and make it an option for them."

- Scooby Axson