Astrodome designated Texas Historic Landmark

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - For the building known as the "8th Wonder of the World" the designation as a state historic landmark provides welcome preservation "street cred".

"There are only two buildings in the whole state that are recognizable to people outside of the state and that's the Alamo and the Astrodome," said Mike Vance with the Houston Heritage Society.

Rescued from the wrecking ball by Harris County leaders, the designation as a landmark insures further protection from those who lobbied to have the Dome leveled.

"It gives it some legitimacy to people who ever doubted the importance of the Astrodome. I mean is the highest honor the state of Texas can give an historic building anywhere," said Mike Acosta, Astros Team Historian.

"The state asked for two things -- whether it's architecturally significant or historically significant and the Astrodome has both," added James Glassman, known on social media as the "The Houstorian".

Widely regarded as an "engineering marvel" the first fully enclosed, fully air-conditioned sports stadium was completed in 1965 for $35 million and came to symbolize "how we do things in Houston."

"This Dome is a lot more than just a structure. It's our history and it's our lives," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

The Astrodome is set for a $105 million renovation and a future as both indoor park space and underground parking.