A plan to turn the iconic Houston Astrodome into a giant convention center and exhibition space is being presented to Harris County Commissioner's Court on Tuesday.

"The opportunities are endless, so I think its a perfect solution," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

The Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation wants to tear out all the seats and create a 350,000-square-foot space that can be used for sporting events, concerts, conferences, trade shows, graduations and even the Super Bowl or Final Four.

The corporation voted to recommend the project last week. Officials say it would cost an estimated $194 million and take about 2 1/2 years.

The Astrodome has been vacant since 2009. It has also been placed on a list of the nation's 11 most endangered historic places.

I've been to many games and events in the Astrodome and it would be a travesty to watch it be torn down. I certainly hope the City of Houston can get it's act together and come up with a solution for keeping the dome around for another few years.

Fun Facts about the Astrodome:
- Willie Mays hit his 500th career home run at the dome on September 13, 1965

- On June 15, 1976 a game scheduled between the Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates was canceled at the dome due to rain. The first and last time a game has ever been called on account of rain in a covered stadium. The game was called on account of heavy rains in the area which caused massive flooding stranding the two teams at the dome. Tables were brought onto the field and both teams had dinner together before sleeping in their respective locker rooms for the night.

- On April 1, 2001, the WWE, (then known as the WWF) hosted WrestleMania X-Seven, with a record-breaking attendance of 67,925. This highest attendance ever in Astrodome history.

- The first home run in the Astrodome was hit by Mickey Mantle off of pitcher Turk Farrell on April 9, 1965 in an exhibition game between the Astros and Yankees.

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