Astrodome redevelopment plan may be underfunded

Astrodome in July 2018. Astrodome in July 2018. Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 66 Caption Close Astrodome redevelopment plan may be underfunded 1 / 66 Back to Gallery

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Thursday that the county's plan to spend $105 million to redevelop the Astrodome into a parking and events facility appears to be underfunded.

"What I'm discovering is the $105 million that was allocated is not enough to air condition the building," Hidalgo said on Houston Public Media's "Houston Matters." "I don't want this to be a white elephant."

Since taking office this month, Hidalgo said she has been studying the plan to remake the now-shuttered Astrodome and working with engineers and stakeholders to ensure the plan is both fiscally responsible and a good for the community.

LISTEN: Harris County official Ryan Walsh talks to the Chronicle about the plan to redevelop the Astrodome

"It's not clear to me one way or the other," she said on the public affairs show.

Early last year, Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to move forward with the design and construction of the $105 million project.

The court's approval came more than four years after Harris County voters rejected a $217 million bond proposal that would have paid for the 54-year-old structure to be renovated. Many saw that vote as a mandate to demolish the stadium.

The plan approved last year includes raising the stadium's first floor from the current below-ground level and creating 1,400 parking spaces underneath.