Houston City Council enters agreement with United Airlines for project at Bush Airport, funding still on pause

The City of Houston and United Airlines entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on Wednesday, solidifying both parties’ support for a major terminal redevelopment project at Bush Intercontinental Airport. Funding for the Terminal B project still remains on pause after the city controller, Chris Brown, halted the plans last week, failing to sign off on the first installment of $150m. The installment is needed to jumpstart construction on the $2.6b project that United Airlines said is expected to start at the beginning of next year. Brown told Houston Public Media in a previous interview, he's concerned about the direction of the city's finances and he doesn't have a timeline on when he will sign off on the plans. “I’m elected by the taxpayers to ensure we’re making smart use of funds and making smart decisions that don’t jeopardize the taxpayers in the future," he said. United Airlines is expecting to put up more than $1.9b, while the city is investing $624m which would be disbursed in three installments. The airline’s plans include increasing its capacity, catering to an estimated 36m passengers in the coming years, constructing 40 new gates for domestic and international travel, new amenities, reconstructing its north and south concourses, and bringing in over 3,000 jobs. Other upgrades within the plan include expanded curbside and roadway capacity, ticketing lobby, baggage system, and a security processing area that's expected to be housed on the third floor of the terminal.<br/>