NW Houston News

Construction has been completed for the temporary 250-bed tent hospital in Houston’s NRG Park. 

The hospital cost $11 million dollars to build, and the total cost to use it at full capacity could rise to $60 million for two months. Some are hoping that it never gets used.

Darrell Pile, president and CEO of the South East Texas Regional Advisory Council, thinks building the hospital was a smart decision that could prevent a similar situation in from developing in Houston that has occurred in New York.

As of April 21, Texas reported 20,196 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 517 deaths. Harris County leads the state with 4,977 confirmed cases and 78 deaths attributed to COVID-19. In contrast, New York City has confirmed 144,190 cases, with 14,190 resulting in death.

“I think as a community, and as responsible civic leaders the NRG facility is wise,” Pile told KPRC News 10. The facility is also eligible to have 75% of costs matched by federal funding.

Former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, now a political analyst for KPRC, thinks otherwise. Emmett believes existing infrastructure could have met the demand of COVID-19 patients instead of building a new facility. Emmett even considers hotels to be a viable option.

“If you rented 250 hotel rooms at $200 a room, which is above rack rate for a residence inn -- that only comes to $3 million for two months,” Emmett said.