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HOUSTON -- The Houston Astrodome, an iconic stadium thats fallen into disrepair since it was shuttered four years ago, could see new life as a giant convention centre and exhibition space under a plan recommended by a county board on Wednesday. The Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. opted to go with its own plan for the worlds first domed, air-conditioned stadium instead of one of 19 private-sector plans submitted for its reuse. The board said the groups promoting the private plans didnt meet the projects criteria by a deadline earlier this month. Among the private plans was one that would have turned the Astrodome into a tourist area with retail and restaurant space and another that would have stripped the structure to its steel frame and turned the area into a park. "We have a chance to honour the domes legacy and do it in a functional manner that continues to preserve the memories and history of the building while inspiring the future," said Kevin Hoffman, the sports corporations deputy executive director. The project, dubbed "The New Dome Experience," would cost an estimated $194 million and take about 2 1/2 years to complete. The plan now goes to Harris County commissioners, who will discuss it at a June 25 meeting. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett called the proposal the "perfect solution" for dealing with the Astrodome. "This really isnt about saving a historic building. This is about properly using a county asset. We have an asset that is unique in the world. It would be a shame not to then use that asset ...," Emmett said. Officials say tax breaks and other incentives might lower the projects cost, but that it will likely require voters to approve public funding for it. The proposal calls for creating 350,000 square feet of exhibition space by removing all the interior seats and raising the floor to street level. Other changes include creating 400,000 square feet of plaza and green space on the outside of the structure. Mark Miller, general manager of Reliant Park, the overall area that includes the dome and the Houston Texans football stadium next door, said the changes are designed to make the Astrodome "the front door" for major events at the park, which also hosts Houstons annual Livestock Show and Rodeo. The proposal envisions events associated with the rodeo or the Super Bowl in 2017 at Reliant Stadium being held inside the renovated Astrodome. "The dome becomes your gathering place. It creates a great event space," he said. The countys commissioners have been considering the fate of the Astrodome since it was deemed unfit for occupancy and closed for good in 2009. Last year, a consulting firm recommended a $270 million plan to turn it into a multipurpose facility. The building, one of Houstons signature structures, costs taxpayers about $3 million per year for basic maintenance. Officials say there is still consistent support to preserve the building for sentimental and historical reasons. Earlier Wednesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the Astrodome on its 2013 list of Americas 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Discussion of the Astrodomes future has also included talk of tearing it down and building a parking lot that would be used by the Texans and the rodeo. "It is a major piece of history. It is a major legacy. It defined us as a can do city, a city of yes," Houston developer Arpad Lamell told the county board, asking it to not recommend its demolition. Willie Loston, the sports corporations executive director, said the group did not consider tearing down the Astrodome, adding the 2,500 parking spaces demolition of the structure would create are not needed. Opened in 1965, the Astrodome was dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World." It was spacious enough to fit an 18-story building under its 208-foot high roof. The 400,000-square foot dome was once home to MLBs Houston Astros and the NFLs Houston Oilers and also hosted Muhammad Ali boxing matches and the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in 1973. It also hosted the citys rodeo until 2003. Its most prominent use in recent years was as a shelter for Louisiana residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hydro Flask 18 Oz Standard Mouth . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Straw Lid Sale . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.hydroflaskombrecanada.com/hydro-flask-straw-lid-canada/40-oz-wide-mouth.html . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. Hydro Flask Sale . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Hydro Flask 40 Oz Sale . PETERSBURG, Fla. ST. LOUIS -- And the winner is ... Roberto Hernandez.Hernandez, known as Fausto Carmona when he won 19 games for the 2007 Cleveland Indians that reached the American League Championship Series, starts Saturday nights game for the Atlanta Braves at the St. Louis Cardinals.The 36-year old Hernandez was about the only logical choice Atlanta (39-70) had for this one after right-hander Aaron Blair, who it had planned to promote from Triple-A Gwinnett to make the start, injured his knee Thursday and landed on the disabled list.Their rotation already threadbare by other injuries and trades, the Braves turned to Hernandez, who is 4-6 with a 4.60 ERA in 16 International League starts between Buffalo and Gwinnett.Hernandez was picked up by Atlanta on July 15, so forgive interim manager Brian Snitker if his scouting report on him isnt exactly detailed.I dont know, Snitker said. I havent talked to anybody. Last time I seen him on TV, he started the season opener in 06 when I managed Triple A -- Buffalo against Richmond.The following year, Hernandez -- a.k.a. Carmona -- enjoyed by far the best year of his MLB career. He drew votes for the Cy Young Award and helped Cleveland get within a game of the World Series.But Hernandez couldnt follow that season with other good ones and has bounced from team-to-team over the last five years. He started this year in Torontos organization, but was released July 3.While the Braves are just trying to piece together a rotation to finish out their final 53 games,, St.dddddddddddd. Louis (58-51) is in a fight with the Miami Marlins and others for a wild-card spot.Friday nights 1-0 victory over Atlanta kept the Cardinals in lockstep with Miami for wild card number two. They were led by starter Jaime Garcia, who fanned 11 over eight scoreless innings and knocked in the only run with a second inning single.Garcias outing was just the teams seventh quality start since the All-Star break. Not only did it serve as a great bounceback from his 11-0 loss on July 30 in Miami, it gave an overworked bullpen a night off, save for closer Seung Hwan Oh.If we had had a little more room, we could have sat the bullpen down and given them a nights rest, manager Mike Matheny said of the decision to lift Garcia after eight innings. Jaime wanted the ball (in the ninth) and probably deserved the ball, but they were turning the lineup over for a fourth time. We need every win we can get.St. Louis Carlos Martinez (10-6, 2.99 ERA) will try to ape Garcias effort. Martinez is 2-0 in his career against the Braves, earning a 1-0 win against them last July and a 12-2 decision on April 9 in Atlanta, working six innings in that one.Martinez is coming off a no-decision Sunday in Miami, working seven innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks, whiffing four. Martinez shrugged off a three-run first to keep the Cardinals in the game. ' ' '