Primary Department: County Administration
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Erica Lee Carter, MPP, County Administrator
Secondary Department: Harris Health System
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, M.D, President and Chief Executive Officer, Harris Health System
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Asset Management
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action on an order authorizing Harris Health to acquire by eminent domain for public convenience and necessity three parcels within Hermann Park consisting of approximately 8.9 acres of real property for the redevelopment and expansion of Ben Taub Hospital and making certain findings pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 26, Texas Parks & Wildlife Code.
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Background and Discussion:
As directed by Commissioners Court at its meeting on January 29, 2026, the Office of County Administration is submitting this item to facilitate Commissioners Court’s consideration of a request by the Harris County Hospital District d/b/a Harris Health (“Harris Health”) for authorization to acquire through eminent domain three parcels of land within Hermann Park of approximately 8.9 acres (the “Property”).
Harris Health is undertaking a public project to redevelop and expand Ben Taub Hospital (the “Project”). On September 23, 2025, to support the Project, the Harris Health Board of Trustees approved a resolution authorizing the acquisition by eminent domain of the Property. Taking into account the information provided by the Harris Health Administration and clearly enunciated local preferences, including the testimony received at a public hearing held on July 24, 2025, the Harris Health Board found and determined in this resolution that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the taking of the Property for the Project and that the proposal includes all reasonable planning to minimize and mitigate harm to Hermann Park, in accordance with Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.
Pursuant to Section 281.050 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, the Harris County Commissioners Court’s approval is required before Harris Health can acquire land through eminent domain. Before Commissioners Court can consider whether to authorize Harris Health to acquire the Property in this manner for the Project and make any requisite findings, Commissioners Court must hold its own public hearing under Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. On October 30, 2025, in response to Harris Health’s request to schedule a public hearing for this purpose, Commissioners Court directed Harris Health to conduct a series of town hall-style community engagement events across the County and to return to Commissioners Court with updates. On January 29, 2026, Commissioners Court heard a report from Harris Health summarizing the results of its community engagement efforts and, at Harris Health’s request, scheduled the public hearing for March 19, 2026. Notice of the public hearing was delivered to the City of Houston on February 16, 2026, and published in the Houston Chronicle on February 23, March 2, and March 9, 2026.
Commissioners Court will hold the public hearing during its March 19 meeting pursuant to a companion item listed on the posted meeting agenda. After the public hearing, Commissioners Court may take up this item to consider whether to approve an order finding that Harris Health’s proposed acquisition of the Property for the Project satisfies the criteria outlined in Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 and authorizing Harris Health to move forward with the acquisition through eminent domain.
Expected Impact:
To give the Commissioners Court the opportunity to make findings required by Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 and to authorize Harris Health to move forward with the acquisition of the Property for the Project through eminent domain.
Alternative Options:
N/A
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: O: Increase access to quality health care, including preventive and behavioral health.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): O4: Increase community health care capacity.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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01/29/2026 |
328 & 329 |
Project update and Authorization of a Public Hearing to be held 03/19/2026 |
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10/30/25 |
225 |
Approval of multiple directives for Harris Health relating to community engagement and return to Court on 01/29/2026 |
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Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/19/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department:
King Hillier, SVP Public Policy and Government Relations, Harris Health System
Attachments (if applicable):