Should Texans owner Bob McNair get a statue on public land?
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Should a statue of Texans owner Bob McNair be erected on NRG Park grounds? That is the issue that will be discussed during Wednesday's Harris County sports and convention corporation meeting.
The discussion of the feasibility study about erecting of a Bob McNair statue is item number 11 in a public meeting scheduled by HCSCC for Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis voiced concern about the project.
"I think we should take a deep breath," said Commissioner Ellis, whose district includes NRG Park. "Whenever you are going to put a statue on public land, the public should have some input."
The Houston Super Bowl Host Committee says it commissioned the statue earlier this year to honor the Texans owner. Christopher Newport with the committee says he was not sure if the statue had already been completed by the artist.
A spokesperson for the Texans says the organization wasn't ready to talk about the statue yet because there has not been a formal announcement. The Texans did confirm that its preferred location for a McNair statue is the location of the Super Bowl Countdown Clock, which is public land.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Texans are expected to present the project plans to the convention corporation meeting. The plans have not been made available to Eyewitness News.
Edgar Colon, Chair of the HCSCC Board, told Eyewitness News that the vote will be on a feasibility study, not on placing the statue. Colon says the organization needs to find out the cost of erecting and maintaining the statue and who will pay for these costs.
The Super Bowl Host Committee says it is footing the bill for the statue itself using private funds.
Commissioner Ellis is urging a wider study. He says there should be policy and procedures in place whenever statues of individuals are erected on public land.
The board meeting on Wednesday is open to the public, and members of the public can sign up to testify.
