Controller blocks vote on Bush project
Houston Controller Chris Hollins blocked City Council from voting on $150 million in city funding to overhaul George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal B — a project that sparked repeated clashes between former Controller Chris Brown and Mayor Sylvester Turner late last year.
The massive project, estimated to cost $2.6 billion, aims to build 40 new gates that would allow the terminal to accommodate more and larger aircraft. It also includes plans for an upgraded ticket lobby, a new baggage system and other amenities. Under the current proposal, the city would contribute $624 million in three installments, and United Airlines would cover the remaining costs.
A proposal to approve the city’s initial installment of $150 million first appeared on City Council’s agenda in November 2023. Brown, however, refused to certify the funds were available — a necessary step before the council can approve any city financial commitments — citing the deal’s “rushed nature” and its potential impact on city finances.
More than two months into his term, Mayor John Whitmire placed the agreement back on the City Council agenda, saying it was time to move forward with the project. But council members could not consider the agreement on Wednesday because Hollins did not sign off on the deal ahead of the meeting, according to Whitmire’s spokesperson, Mary Benton.
Hollins’ spokesperson, John Seydler, said the controller is discussing the proposal with the mayor’s office and does not wish to comment on the process at this time. The controller previously said he would support United’s expansion in Houston once he was assured that the city had carried out thorough research on the project.
Benton said earlier this week that Whitmire had anticipated Hollins would certify the funds prior to the council meeting. Whitmire on Wednesday added that while he respects Hollins’ perspective, he is confident that the administration has conducted all necessary due diligence.
“My administration has been asking questions from day one to ensure this proposal was a good business decision for the city of Houston,” Whitmire said in a statement. “It is important for the airline and the millions of passengers traveling in and out of IAH every year.”
Turner had hoped to lock down the deal during the final days of his administration. He accused Brown last year of overstepping the bounds of his office and obstructing the project due to political motives.
Brown, now serving as Whitmire’s senior adviser for financial integrity, previously refuted Turner’s criticism and said he would not greenlight the funding until the airport system produced an updated feasibility study for the more than $600 million of city bond debt required by the agreement.
The study is still underway and is expected to be completed by May, Benton said.
Houston Airports recently saw a change in leadership when Whitmire appointed Jim Szczesniak, the system’s former chief operating officer, to replace longtime Director Mario Diaz. Szczesniak praised the project for its financial benefits, estimating it would offer a return of over 25% on the investment.
“The transformation of IAH Terminal B not only promises an elevated passenger experience with cutting-edge technology and modern amenities but signifies a strategic investment in Houston’s economic future as we seek to increase the terminal’s capacity for even more passengers from curb to gate,” Szczesniak said in a statement.