It’s official: in September, we cut the ribbon on the new rideshare drop-off and pickup zone at NRG Park. Thanks to everyone who attended including our partners at the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation, the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as well as Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, venue staff, rideshare operators, and community members.
The 240-foot covered canopy, lighting, signage, and safety enhancements are now fully operational, just in time for the fall event season. Early feedback is already positive: guests are experiencing shorter wait times, clearer traffic flows, and a safer environment. We look forward to seeing how this upgrade enhances mobility and experience across all future events at NRG Park.
The new rideshare lot will help reduce vehicle congestion near the venue, especially after events. Thousands of cars try to exit at once, while rideshare vehicles have historically crowded the east side of the campus, especially along Kirby Drive. The result was gridlock, confusion, and—most concerning—serious safety hazards.
That’s why the Harris County Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 24 partnered with the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation to build a new infrastructure solution aimed at improving mobility and safety in the area. The TIRZ invested $300,000 – covering half the cost of the project — to fund the new designated rideshare drop-off and pickup zone that will make it easier and safer for guests to arrive and leave NRG Park after large-scale events.
The congestion problem has been especially severe on the east access road, where services like Uber and Lyft often block lanes as they wait for riders. This not only delays traffic but also creates dangerous situations, with passengers sometimes dropped off in the middle of the road or running across traffic lanes. A temporary lot was tested during past events and proved the concept could work—now it’s time to make it permanent.
The lot also includes bollards, wayfinding signage, and other features to support safe and efficient operations. The structure is designed to handle high-volume pickup traffic without interfering with the main flow of cars leaving the venue.
Together with our partners, we are investing in a solution that puts guest safety first and helps NRG Park continue to function as a top-tier venue for local and national events.
This is a great example of how targeted infrastructure improvements—supported by collaborative public-private partnerships—can solve real problems for residents and visitors alike.
Location map of new project site (click to enlarge).
HCRDA Chair Thao Costis speaks at the Rideshare launch event.
