In the year 1960, Houston International Airport was deemed inadequate for the needs of the city. This airport could not be expanded, so Houston Intercontinental Airport (now George Bush Intercontinental Airport) was going to be built north of the city. December 1961 saw Hurricane Carla, which was a very destructive hurricane that hit the city of Houston. On July 4, 1962, NASA opened the Manned Spacecraft Center in southeast Houston in the Clear Lake area, now the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. This would bring many jobs to the Houston, especially the Clear Lake area. Also in 1962, Houston voters soundly defeated a referendum to implement zoning--the second time in fifteen years. In 1963, the University of Houston ended its status as a private institution and became a state university by entering into the Texas State System of Higher Education after a long battle with opponents from other state universities blocking the change. July 1965 saw Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, Liberty County, and Montgomery County added to the Houston Metropolitan Area. December 1965 saw the opening of the Astrodome, then called the Harris County Domed Stadium. Barbara Jordan was elected to the Senate by Houstonians on November 8, 1966. Astroworld, a theme park adjacent to the Astrodome was opened in 1968. Houston Intercontinental Airport was built in 1969. Houston International Airport, renamed to Hobby Airport, was closed to commercial aviation until 1971.