THE LEGENDS OF REAL ESTATE AWARDS 2016 – Ralph Bivins, editor of Realty News Report, has selected the most significant people, projects, deals and ideas shaping Houston’s real estate market in 2016. These choices are not always the biggest or the first, but they point to future trends, potential opportunities, bold visions and notable accomplishments.
LEGEND: HOUSTONIAN OF THE YEAR – Ed Emmett, Harris County Judge
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett has emerged as a visionary leader who championed efforts to preserve and repurpose the Astrodome—a landmark that celebrates Houston’s tradition of engineering achievement and entrepreneurial spirit.
In the 1960s, Houston became known as Space City, a center for dreamers and innovators inspired by leaders such as President John F. Kennedy, who challenged the nation to reach the moon. With NASA’s Mission Control energizing the southeast side of town, the Astrodome was a fitting centerpiece for a city positioned on the brink of greatness.
As the world’s first air-conditioned domed stadium, the Astrodome opened to wide acclaim. Its inaugural game was marked by Mickey Mantle’s first home run inside the Dome on April 9, 1965, a game attended by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Recently, the Texas Historical Commission designated the Astrodome a State Antiquities Landmark. That status places the Dome alongside the Alamo and the State Capitol as protected historic structures and requires commission approval before any demolition or alteration can occur.
After decades of vacancy—following the Astros and Oilers moving to facilities that better matched their evolving needs—the Dome faced calls for demolition. Estimates put teardown costs at more than $30 million, and some advocates argued for removing the aging structure.
Rather than allowing the wrecking ball to prevail, Judge Emmett led a comprehensive effort to study and plan for redevelopment of the Astrodome, located adjacent to NRG Stadium. The county approved a $105 million plan that provides a sustainable path forward: converting the Dome’s lower levels into two tiers of approximately 1,400 below-grade parking spaces, while preserving roughly 500,000 square feet of interior floor area for future exhibits, cultural uses or entertainment.
The redevelopment plan emphasizes sustainability and stewardship. Demolishing a 52-year-old landmark and turning it into rubble would waste both material and memory. Repurposing the structure honors its history and gives it a new life that could serve the community for decades to come.
As with many preservation efforts, the Astrodome plan has encountered resistance. Some local interests have argued for directing public funds to enhancements at NRG Stadium instead of investing in the Dome’s rehabilitation. Yet critics’ calls for additional upgrades to facilities that already host major events risk neglecting the unique value of conserving an irreplaceable historic asset.
Judge Emmett has remained steadfast in defending the vision of a repurposed Astrodome. His leadership reflects a belief that preserving civic landmarks strengthens the city’s character and fosters a deeper appreciation for historic preservation. Over the years, Houston has lost many notable buildings to demolition; saving and adapting the Dome represents a corrective course that acknowledges the cultural and symbolic importance of such places.
For these efforts, Realty News Report names Harris County Judge Ed Emmett a Legend of Real Estate and Houstonian of the Year. His work to protect and reimagine the Astrodome celebrates Houston’s heritage while charting a sustainable, creative future.
Feb. 14, 2017 Realty News Report Copyright 2017