In almost total secrecy without informing Houstonians, the Harris Health board has unanimously approved a plan to snatch nearly 9 acres of green space in iconic Hermann Park to expand Ben Taub Hospital. There was no public hearing and a news conference detailing the land grab planned in July was quietly canceled before anyone outside the secretive board knew about it, according to reporting by ABC13’s Miya Shay.
The land was donated over a century ago by August Warneke, and the original deed includes a clause that could return the land to the family if it is no longer used as a park, although officials seem to believe it is not enforceable. The hospital board plans to use eminent domain to take the land.
Can you imagine the outcry if officials in New York floated a plan to grab part of Central Park? But in Houston officials almost always are going to cut down trees in the name of “progress.” (One notable exception is Mayor Whitmire, who saved the trees on Montrose Boulevard, thanks to concerned citizens who spoke out.)
I think most everyone would agree that a new Ben Taub Hospital is needed, but Hermann Park is not the place for it.
Harris County Commissioners will likely have the deciding say on the issue, so emails to them could have an impact on their vote.
The disputed land is in District D, so an email to Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who represents the district, could be helpful.
Also, Mayor Whitmire and the four at-large Houston City Council, will likely weigh in on the matter.
All emails are listed below.
Harris County Commissioners
Precinct 1, Rodney Ellis, Comm_Ellis@cp1.hctx.net
Precinct 2, Adrian Garcia, commissioner@pct.hctx.net
Precinct 3, Tom Ramsey, pct3@pct3.com
Precinct 4, Lesley Briones, service@hcp4.net
Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo, judge.hidalgo@cjo.hctx.net
Carolyn Evans-Shabazz districtd@houstontx.gov
Mayor John Whitmire City of Houston P.O. Box 1562. Houston, TX 77251 ; Phone: 311 or 713.837.0311 ; Email: mayor@houstontx.gov
At-Large Members
At-Large Position 1: Julian Ramirez atlarge1@houstontx.gov
At-Large Position 2: Willie Davis atlarge2@houstontx.gov
At-Large Position 3: Twila Carter atlarge3@houstontx.gov
At-Large Position 5: Sallie Alcorn atlarge5@houstontx.gov