by Pat Hernandez

Houston leaders announced a billion-dollar plan yesterday to turn the Astrodome into a multi-use complex that would be home to businesses and an education center.

Emil Pena with Rice University says the center would inspire students to pursue interests in technology. “They’re also national programs that would actually come in headquarter here based on science and technologies, and engineering,” he says. “So we’ve got to really optimize the current structure and turn it into a green building — the greenest in the world.”

Another option calls for gutting the interior completely and refurbishing the dome for sporting events and indoor festivals.

Mark Miller is general manager of the complex. He says the public will decide the future of the Dome. “We know what we need, we know what we want,” he says, “but getting their feedback, getting them interetested in having this accomplished here is what this is all about.”

There’s another option on the table to demolish the Dome and replace it with green space.