HOUSTON – Reliant Park and Reliant Stadium will be changing names to NRG Park and NRG Stadium, respectively, after a vote by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation passed Wednesday afternoon.
The vote was unanimous.
"I think it's great. I think it's rejuvenating. I think it gives new life to the park," said Edgar Colon, with the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation.
Reliant Energy and its parent company, NRG Energy, wanted to change the names. NRG Energy acquired Reliant Energy back in 2009.
The name changes will go into effect in time for the upcoming 2014 Houston Texans football season.
It's a major undertaking far beyond just the signs on the stadium. Changes to street names, highway signs, uniforms, cups and even napkins will take place.
NRG Energy will pay for it and executives say this is the right time for the major change.
"We really thought now is a great time to bring the full suite of what NRG has to offer to consumers in Houston and to the state of Texas," said Elizabeth Killinger with NRG Energy.
But for Houstonians who have made lasting memories at Reliant, the name change doesn't sit well.
"Even if they do change it, everyone's still going to call it Reliant," said one Local 2 viewer.
The exact cost for this name change is unclear at this point, but officials at the HCSCC expect to have some figures within a few weeks.
NRG released a statement Wednesday which read in part: "NRG Energy, Inc. is no newcomer to Houston. NRG is a Fortune 500 company with dual headquarters in Houston, Texas, and Princeton, New Jersey, and is a pioneer in developing cleaner, smarter energy choices for its customers. We look forward to continuing our support of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Texans and all of the park's events and activities."