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. College Jerseys From China . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Cheap Youth NFL Jerseys .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.jerseyscheapsports.com/ . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Jerseys China . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. NFL Jerseys Cheap . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. SAN DIEGO -- After 7,582 games since 1969, the San Diego Padres still dont have a no-hitter.Edwin Jackson, of all pitchers, was the latest to try to pitch an elusive gem -- in his Padres debut, no less.Jackson held San Francisco hitless until Conor Gillaspies three-run homer with one out in the seventh inning, and the Padres held off the Giants 5-3 on Sunday for their first sweep of the season. They beat Johnny Cueto, who also was the losing pitcher in the All-Star Game at Petco Park on Tuesday night.Jackson, making his first start since 2014, and three relievers combined on a two-hitter against the Giants, who despite losing three straight still have the best record in the majors at 57-36.Its great to be here, said Jackson, whos with his 11th big league team. Somewhat of an interesting day to say the least. ... It was definitely a good way to have everything kicked off with a new team. Ive been through a lot of ups and a lot of downs. I believe in what I can do. Ive always believed in what I can do. Its just a matter of going out and proving it once you get in between the lines.After striking out Brandon Crawford to open the seventh, Jackson bobbled Gregor Blancos grounder for an error and then walked Ramiro Pena before Gillaspie homered deep into the seats in right field on a 3-1 fastball. That cut the Padres lead to 4-3.It felt good, Gillaspie said. I wish we could have mustered a few more runs there at the end. All you can do is compete and give it everything youve got.Jackson (1-1) was then pulled. He walked five, struck out four and threw 90 pitches.Until the homer, the Giants hadnt come close to a hit as Jackson kept them off-balance, mostly with his slider.San Diego remains the only big league team without a no-hitter.Jackson pitched a no-hitter in 2010 for Arizona, walking eight and throwing 149 pitches to stop Tampa Bay.The 32-year-old was signed to a minor league deal by the Padres on June 20 after being cut by Miami. He was promoted from Triple-A earlier Sunday to start in place of All-Star Drew Pomeranz, who was traded to Boston on Thursday. San Diego is his 11th big league club.I wish he couldve picked up that ground ball, manager Andy Green said. I walked by him, he was in the video room watching it. I was like, `Youre gonna have a hard time letting that one go arent you? He was outstanding. Good mix. Slider was really good, mixed in the curveball later on.By the end of it he was like gasseed.dddddddddddd He gave us everything he had and he was outstanding.Padres catcher Christian Bethancourt worked with Jackson in Atlanta last year.He was aggressive. He was attacking the strike zone, Bethancourt said. I havent seen that Edwin Jackson in a long time, and Im so glad I saw it today. I know he will keep doing it and hell help us win more ballgames.Jackson hit two singles and drove in a run. He also reached on a fielding error by Crawford.Brandon Maurer pitched the ninth for his third save.We just couldnt mount anything offensively until it looked like he tired out there, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.Cueto (13-2) lost for the first time since April 21 against Arizona. He had three straight complete-game victories against the Padres this season coming into Sunday.Cueto had the same fate as he did in the All-Star Game, when he started for the NL and surrendered two home runs in an inning.On Tuesday night, he allowed home runs to Kansas Citys Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez in the second.On Sunday, Cueto allowed a solo homer by Matt Kemp to left-center leading off the fourth and a solo homer by Bethancourt into the first row in the second deck in left with two outs for a 2-0 San Diego lead. It was Kemps 18th and Bethancourts fifth.Cueto made it into the sixth, allowing a leadoff walk to Alex Dickerson and a single to Bethancourt before making way for George Kontos. Rookie Ryan Schimpf hit an RBI single and Jackson followed two batters later with an RBI hit.Cueto allowed four runs and six hits in five-plus innings, struck out four and walked three.San Diegos Yangervis Solarte homered in the seventh, his ninth.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: Bochy said OF Hunter Pence, on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, took Sunday off during his rehab assignment after getting hit by a pitch on Saturday.UP NEXTGiants: After a day off, San Francisco opens a two-game series at Boston on Tuesday night when RHP Jake Peavy (5-7, 5.09) is scheduled to oppose RHP Rick Porcello (11-2, 3.66). Peavy started three postseason games for the Red Sox during their 2013 run to the World Series title.Padres: San Diego heads to St. Louis for a four-game series starting Monday night, when LHP Christian Friedrich (4-5, 4.50) is set to face RHP Mike Leake (6-7, 4.14), who grew up in San Diego County. ' ' '