Voters will get to decide fate of Astrodome

In an April 1965 file photo, the baseball field and seats at the Houston Astrodome are seen through a fish-eye lens in Houston. In an April 1965 file photo, the baseball field and seats at the Houston Astrodome are seen through a fish-eye lens in Houston. Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 69 Caption Close Voters will get to decide fate of Astrodome 1 / 69 Back to Gallery

A $217 million bond authorization that would pay to turn the iconic Astrodome into a convention and exhibit hall is officially headed to Harris County voters.

Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday ordered a November bond election for the renovation, and also approved $8 million for asbestos abatement, selective demolition and other work county staff says needs to be done on the vacant stadium whether it is revamped or torn down.

That includes allowing the county purchasing agent to inventory and sell Dome-related "sports memorabilia," including signs.

If the referendum passes and the county chooses to issue the entire bond amount, county budget staff have said it would increase the average property tax bill by $8 a year.

That's for a home valued at $200,000, minus a $40,000 homestead exemption.