Astrodome to host one last party before construction to create parking lot

PHOTOS: Weird Astrodome ideas through the years

Casino, waterpark, Texas dance hall, space museum, office park, hotel, movie studio, growhouse....

See the many, many ideas for what to do with the Astrodome that have been brought forth over the years.... less PHOTOS: Weird Astrodome ideas through the years

Casino, waterpark, Texas dance hall, space museum, office park, hotel, movie studio, growhouse....

See the many, many ideas for what to do with the Astrodome that ... more Photo: Steve Ueckert, Houston Chronicle Photo: Steve Ueckert, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 66 Caption Close Astrodome to host one last party before construction to create parking lot 1 / 66 Back to Gallery

Next month residents of the city of Houston and beyond will get one more look inside the Astrodome before construction begins on its next phase of use for the storied structure.

A free, public event co-hosted by the Astrodome Conservancy and Harris County, on the stadium's 53rd anniversary, is set for April 9.

RELATED: Astrodome to receive Recorded Texas Historic Landmark marker

The conservancy is calling it a "Domecoming". There was a similar party back in April 2015 for the Dome's 50th birthday. Back then the future of the stadium was still very much in limbo.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and the conservancy's chair, Phoebe Tudor, are both scheduled to speak on the next chapter for the Dome. The event will feature music and entertainment from a DJ and the original AstroNuts.

Preservation and renovation of the county-owned Astrodome has been a long-held priority for Judge Emmett.

"The Astrodome Conservancy is going to help us ensure that the Astrodome is no longer just an unused county building housing only memories and equipment," Emmett said in a statement Tuesday. "Going forward, the Astrodome will once again be a proud centerpiece of NRG Park producing revenue and badly needed public event space."

The county is spending $105 million to renovate the stadium and construction is expected to begin in October and end in February 2020. The plan is turn the stadium into an event space with added parking.

RELATED: Harris County OKs $105 million renovation of Astrodome

"The Astrodome is an important landmark to Harris County and Texas and is part of our unique culture," Tudor said in a statement Tuesday. "Our mission is to preserve its legacy and creatively engage Houstonians at the Astrodome once again."

Admission is free but attendees must register at this Ticketmaster link, starting March 21 at 10 a.m. to reserve one of a limited number of tickets that will be made available.

Gates for the event open at 4 p.m. at NRG Park and the access into the stadium begins at 5 p.m. and running until 8 p.m.

It was announced late last week that the Dome will be designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark — the highest honor the state can bestow on a historic structure. The state agency approved the stadium's designation in January among 172 new historical markers across Texas for 2018.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com.