Maybe you’ve seen NRG Stadium pop up in headlines recently and are wondering what’s going on? The popular stadium, known for hosting concerts, Texans games, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, is in dire need of repairs. Right now, NRG Park, which includes NRG Stadium, NRG Center, the arena, and the vacant Astrodome is in need of $2 billion in maintenance repairs. However, it’s been unclear who will foot the bill. Let’s break it down!
Why Does NRG Need Repairs?
Back in December, the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation said in a new report that NRG’s repairs would cost $2 billion. The facility, which opened in 2002, would need a 30-year capital expense project to cover all the repairs. Some of the costly items in the report include $105 million for security systems, video, audio, and other technology. The stadium also needs a new roof to the tune of $116 million. So, who’s going to pay for this?
Who’s Going to Pay For It?
That answer remains complicated. The original arena was built by the Rodeo in 1974, but then later donated to Harris County. The county now owns the land, but the Rodeo and Houston Texans lease out the facilities. It is still the county’s responsibility to keep the facilities in “first-class” condition. However, some county officials in the past felt the Houston Rodeo should pitch into help with the cost of a brand new stadium. Rodeo officials say they are willing to help out. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans floated the possibility of building a new stadium in February. Now, Texans officials are saying they want to help renovate the stadium alongside county and Rodeo officials. So, long story short: Houston officials are still figuring it out.
What Houstonians Are Saying
Last week, I asked Hey Houston readers to share thoughts on if taxpayers should help fund a new NRG stadium. Here’s what you said!
Hadi is not in favor of Houstonians paying for a new stadium: Honestly, if the Texans want a new stadium, they should earn it. Make some real progress in the NFL, get to the Super Bowl, and then maybe there’s a conversation to be had. Right now, asking Houstonians to foot the bill—especially when support for the team is already split—is ridiculous. Most people in the city wouldn’t even be directly affected by a new stadium. The ones who would are hardcore fans and eventgoers, and even they should question if it’s worth it. Bottom line: Houston doesn’t need a new stadium. The current one should be repaired, not replaced.”
Doris also doesn’t think Houstonians should foot the bill: “I do not want to pay more in taxes for wealthy team owners or team members, all of whom make more in one year than I will ever earn in a lifetime.”
City Cast Houston host Raheel Ramzanali is also not a fan of the Houston Texans floating the idea of building a new stadium and even called the team “greedy”.
