Did Houston's Mayor Turner fulfil all his promises during his 8-year reign?

As Turner's term ends, there are some pledges still left on the to-do list. Here's a look at a few of them.

Due to term limits, Mayor Turner's time in office will end on January 2, 2024 after two four-year terms as Houston's Mayor.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Chron.
By Kennedy Sessions
Dec. 22, 2023

Sylvester Turner is nearing the end of his eight years as mayor of the city of Houston. Facing a term limit, Turner's time in office will end on Jan.2, 2024. The Houston native and 26-year state representative was first elected mayor of the city in 2015 after two failed attempts at the office. Voters reaffirmed his position as a city leader in a nail-biting election runoff in 2019.

Over the past eight years, Turner has taken action to make his mark on the city and improve conditions for city residents. Outlined in his legacy book, Turner has launched initiatives like vastly investing in improving the city's parks and greenspace, successfully decreasing the amount of unhoused Houstonians living on the streets or in shelters, and creating the largest urban solar farm in the country. 

But despite his many achievements, Turner's tenure was also riddled with failed promises.

Granted, the city was hit with seven federally declared disasters like Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the 2021 winter freeze, and the COVID-19 global pandemic. Turner's legacy in the city is undeniable, but several unfinished projects remain on the table. Here are a few that Mayor-elect John Whitmire could resume.

Houston still doesn't have an amusement park

Eighteen years after the iconic Six Flags Astroworld amusement park shut down, Houston thrill-seekers have wondered why the fourth largest city in the country still doesn't have an amusement park. If Dallas can host its own Six Flags Over Texas, hosting family-friendly rides and entertainment, many Houston residents have wondered why Houston can't house its own theme park. Even Frisco, Texas recently announced details about a new kids' resort and theme park set to open in 2026.

Turner announced a plan for a new park in 2019 after Houston rapper Travis Scott floated the idea on his album ASTROWORLD, which pays homage to the once-historic Bayou City park. 

"It is a priority of my administration to always promote Houston as a world-class city," the Mayor said in 2019. "To that end, I am proposing to create a one-of-a-kind permanent amusement park in the City Of Houston." Since then, the city hasn't seen much movement on a prospective new amusement park. Turner's team told Houston Public Media that he planned to create a Theme Park task force in 2020 but eventually had to allocate those funds towards COVID-19 pandemic relief. As of now, a Houstonian can only dream to see another amusement park again.

Houston firefighter's contract is still pending

In a 2019 State of the City address, Turner declared that he planned to give Houston firefighters a pay raise as long as the city could afford it. However, years later, the City of Houston and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association are still at a standstill, leading to the city firefighters working without a contract for the last seven years. 

Last week, District Court Judge Lauren Reeder compelled city officials to renegotiate with the Houston firefighters union out of court, according to a report by the Houston Chronicle.

Mayor-elect John Whitmire sponsored a binding arbitration bill in the Texas legislature over the summer, garnering support among the union ahead of his mayoral win. Marty Lancton, union president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 341, expressed to the Chronicle's Yilun Cheng that the union looks forward to working with Whitmire on the contract in the future.

IAH Terminal B Expansion may be possible in 2024

Despite United Airlines breaking ground on a massive terminal expansion at Bush Intercontinental Airport in November, an ongoing dispute between Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Controller Chris Brown has haunted the project. The $2.6 billion redevelopment of United's Houston hub is still in the works, but Mayor Turner's pledge to help fund the project has hit rocky grouund.

The project includes 40 new gates, an upgraded baggage system, more dining and retail options, and revamping other areas in the terminal. Houston would be required to pay $624 million for the multi-billion project. 

Brown told the Houston Chronicle he has concerns about the project, arguing it has a "rushed nature" and worries the investment would impact the city's financial state, according to the Houston Chronicle. City Council members symbolically supported the project by voting in favor of a memorandum of agreement in November. After several failed attempts, city officials failed to pass the project at its Dec.20 council meeting.

Before signing off on the project, Brown told Houston Chronicle Erica Grieder he would like to see a feasibility study that will most likely not be included before both Turner and Brown, the city's chief financial officer, end their terms on Jan.1.

"This has nothing to do with whether or not the city is able to pay for this $150 million. The information has been provided to the controller, and certainly, his role as the controller is to certify whether or not the dollars are available and the dollars are available," Turner said during city council last week.

"The controller is acting outside of his authority. Everyone has been very patient with the controller, but the controller simply does not want this project to be finalized on this mayor's watch, and that is quite clear why he's holding up this item."