NRG Park is looking at $2 billion in repairs and maintenance costs to remain operational for the next 30 years.
According to a new assessment released to the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp., a lot of the maintenance needed for the area home to the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show is overdue. The most costly projects would be to upgrade security systems and audio and video technology.
Local attorney Jared Woodfill said the county, who's responsible for the facility, has really dropped the ball on this and should've addressed these needed upgrades years ago.
"Two billion dollars as a result of failing to do the job of making the necessary maintenance and repairs," he said.
A similar report was released in 2019 but the costs weren't even a third of what they are looking to be from this year's report.
"Clearly the red warning light went off and no one listened or did anything about it," said Woodfill.
It's unclear how the costs will be handled but Woodfill says it's likely that these costs will fall on the taxpayers. Regardless, he wants it taken care of sooner rather than later before the number grows even higher over the next few years.
"They always ask the taxpayers to bail them out but the taxpayers shouldn't be left footing the bill here," Woodfill said. "The taxpayers need to draw a line in the sand. Someone needs to be held accountable."
The current lease agreement between Harris County, the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo expires in 2032. The new assessment raises some questions about if NRG Park will be the future host of the Texans and the rodeo.