Harris Health asked the Court to schedule a public hearing about its plan to take roughly 8.9 acres of Hermann Park by eminent domain to expand Ben Taub Hospital. Instead of setting the originally requested December 11 hearing, the Court directed Harris Health to hold at least one community meeting in each Commissioner Precinct before January 20, then return on January 29 with community input before a public hearing set for March 19.

What it means for you

Residents in all four precincts will have a chance to attend a weekday-evening community meeting—advertised clearly as being about using eminent domain to take part of Hermann Park—before the Court holds a formal public hearing on the proposal in March.

Outcome

A motion was made by Commissioner Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Ellis, to return to Commissioners Court on January 29th for presentation of community input and request a public hearing for March 19th. Coordinate with Court Offices to hold one community meeting in each Commissioner Precinct prior to January 20th with the following specifications: The meetings must be advertised on Harris Health’s website and social media channels; The meetings must be advertised via flyers distributed at Harris Health service locations and at other public locations; Any advertisement of the meetings must clearly and prominently state that the subject of the meetings is the use of eminent domain to take a portion of Hermann Park for expansion of Ben Taub Hospital facilities, and no other subject may be listed; Harris Health will advertise the meetings at least seven days before they occur; Harris Health will provide advertisements to Court Offices to distribute and promote; The meetings will occur on a weekday evening other than Friday and begin after 6:30 P.M.; The meetings shall be in a publicly accessible location that is compliant with ADA; Spanish interpretation must be provided at these meetings, along with any other language the Commissioner’s Office deems appropriate; Informational materials provided at the meeting must be provided in English, Spanish, and any other language the Commissioner’s Office deems appropriate; Signage such as yard signs should be placed near the meeting area; The meetings shall be planned so that members of the public can provide their feedback for at least one and a half hours; If a Commissioner declines to participate, Harris Health will not host a meeting for that Precinct; A community engagement report is to be provided to Commissioners Court by January 23rd. For the Harris Health leadership team to meet with the Hermann Park Conservancy Board at least twice prior to January 20th and conduct regular meetings thereafter. The motion carried by the following vote: (4-0)

How each member voted

4–0, per the official record.