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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. NCAA Jerseys Outlet . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. 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In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands.A new owner is in place. A new coach is on the way. And for the first time in 14 years, Sacramento Kings fans can celebrate a new era. The Maloof family completed the sale of the Kings and Sleep Train Arena to a group led by TIBCO Software chairman Vivek Ranadive on Friday, officially transferring ownership of the NBA franchise. Ranadives group acquired a 65 per cent controlling interest in the team at a total franchise valuation of more than $534 million, topping the NBA record of $450 million that Joe Lacob and Peter Guber bought the Golden State Warriors for in 2010. "We are pleased for both the Maloof family and the Ranadive group, but particularly pleased for the fans of the Kings," NBA Commissioner David Stern said. Brothers George, Joe and Gavin Maloof also released statements thanking NBA owners, Stern and the familys limited partners with the Kings. George Maloof specifically praised Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the City Council "for their efforts and loyalty to the Sacramento community." Ranadive already has been busy making moves to rebuild the fallen franchise. The Kings have an agreement in place with Warriors assistant Mike Malone to become their head coach, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly, said Malone was Ranadives top choice. Malones hiring officially ends Keith Smarts tenure. Smart took over the Kings for the fired Paul Westphal in January 2012 and had one year remaining on his contract. Ranadive, formerly a minority owner or the Warriors, still has to hire a general manager -- a move that typically comes before finding a coach; the contract for president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie ends June 30. In a statement released through the Kings, Ranadive thanked all involved. "Mayor Kevin Johnson and the leadership group of Sacramento should be commended for their relentless efforts, hard work and tireless drive to keep the Kings in the city where they belong," Ranadive said. "We also extend our thanks to the Maloof Family for their support and co-operation throughout the sale process. Because of their efforts, this team has risen to an impressive legacy, which includes the most passionate fanbase in the NBA. "Again, thank you to Sacramento Kings fans for their unwavering commitment and loyalty to myself and this organization. Without them, this success would not have become a reality. At the end of the day, this team belongs to the people of Sacramento, and our mission is to support them. We are excited to begin the process of building a 21st century franchise that will be a source of pride and excittement for years to come.dddddddddddd" The sales completion capped a comeback few outside Californias capital city believed would happen. After owners blocked the Maloofs agreement with investor Chris Hansen to buy and relocate the Kings to Seattle earlier in May at a total franchise valuation of $625 million, the family pushed ahead with the "backup offer" to sell the team to Ranadives group. The Sacramento group also includes 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, former Facebook senior executive Chris Kelly and the Jacobs family that owns communications giant Qualcomm. "We congratulate Vivek Ranadive and the entire Sacramento investor group for their willingness to come forward and purchase the franchise for the people of Sacramento. We are confident they will provide the stewardship necessary to continue to guide the organization to successful levels," George Maloof said. The transfer of the team ended the Maloof familys topsy-turvy reign as majority owners of the team. The Kings reached the playoffs for the first seven years under the Maloofs and missed each of the last seven. Sacramento won back-to-back Pacific Division titles in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, advancing to the 2002 Western Conference finals, when it lost in heartbreaking fashion to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. After that, the franchise started its slow and painful decline. The Maloofs, once the toast of Californias capital city, fell out of favour with fans. The suburban arena aged rapidly. Ticket sales declined. And the family explored moving the franchise to Las Vegas, Anaheim and Virginia Beach over several years until announcing an agreement with Hansens group in January. Led by Johnson, Sacramento fought back and made it too difficult for NBA owners to allow the Kings to move to Seattle. The mayor, a former NBA All-Star guard, got the Sacramento City Council to approve a non-binding financing plan for a $447 million downtown arena with a $258 million public subsidy. The Maloofs still had to agree to sell the franchise to Ranadives group. And in the end, they did -- after raising the value of the franchise to a record price. "The success of the Sacramento Kings has been due largely in part to the dedication and enthusiasm of our team members, coaches, players, and fans," Joe Maloof said. "Since our family has owned the franchise, the people of Sacramento have warmly brought the Kings into their hearts and for that we will always be grateful. As we look forward to an exciting new chapter in our family business enterprise, we will never forget the people of Sacramento and everything they have done for the Kings organization." ' ' '