the criticism was apparent in his first two games.Simmons made

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. Custom Maury Wills Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Custom Mike Piazza Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. http://www.customdodgersjersey.com/custom-kirk-gibson-jersey-large-109w.html . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Babe Herman Jersey Large . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Cheap Custom Dodgers Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. SALT LAKE CITY -- Ben Simmons showed why he was the No. 1 overall pick by the downtrodden Philadelphia 76ers during his first two games in the Utah Jazz Summer League. It was also clear the former LSU star has plenty of room to grow.Simmons enters the NBA with elite-level vision and passing ability already. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Simmons also has the ball-handling skills of a point guard, which gives him the ability to grab a rebound, push the ball and make plays in transition. There were several highlight-worthy passes during the week, but his best play may have come Thursday against the Jazz.Simmons grabbed a rebound and immediately took off. He spun around a defender before reaching half court, then crossed over between two more Jazz players as he dribbled into the front court. Simmons finished the play with a bullet pass between another pair of defenders for a Richaun Holmes layup attempt. Few players with that size have that combination of athleticism with that skill-set.He finds great joy in getting guys shots, 76ers coach Brett Brown said. He just finds awesome joy and enthusiasm in sharing the basketball and that becomes contagious.Comparisons to Magic Johnson and LeBron James are unfair, but the passing ability is reminiscent. Teammates had to learn to play with Johnson and James -- to be ready to catch and finish passes despite a seemingly closed passing lane. The 76ers will have to do the same.Theyre finding ways to figure out how to play with him, 76ers Summer League coach Billy Lange said.Simmons had six points, seven rebounds and six assists in an 86-75 victory over the Jazz on Thursday. In a 102-94 loss to the Celtics on Monday, he had 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists before leaving the game with crampss in both calves.dddddddddddd Several assists were left on the table between the two games as teammates failed to capitalize.Simmons also improved defensively from the first to second game.I let the game come to me, Simmons said Thursday night. Obviously, I threw a lot of assists. That was what they were giving me and I took it.The biggest knock on Simmons coming out of college was his lack of a consistent jump shot. The reason for the criticism was apparent in his first two games.Simmons made just four of 17 attempts in Salt Lake City and defenders will play off until he proves he can make a midrange jumper. At one point, Jazz center Tibor Pleiss guarded Simmons and the Jazz bench could be heard yelling for Pleiss to back up. Simmons then pulled up and missed a wide-open jump shot.Simmons can also get lost on the offensive end without the ball in his hands. He tended to drift and watch the play when not in control of the offense.Anticipation is high for Saturday when the 76ers face the Los Angeles Lakers and No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram in the Las Vegas phase of the Summer League. Some believed Ingrams well-developed scoring ability and 3-point range merited the No. 1 pick.Simmons said he doesnt compare himself to other rookies and is focused on players like James and Kevin Durant instead. But he understands the attention that comes with being a heralded rookie.I know a lot of people will be coming for me because I got that No. 1 spot, Simmons said. Its always been like that for me since high school. Everyone has always wanted to go at me and have that shot. Its fun. I love getting the challenge. ' ' '