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: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Public Hearing
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 a public hearing pursuant to Texas Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 26 regarding Harris Health's proposed acquisition by condemnation of approximately 8.9 acres of Hermann Park adjacent to Ben Taub Hospital for the redevelopment and expansion of Ben Taub Hospital.
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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 of the Property by eminent domain. 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 this public hearing. 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.
After the public hearing, Commissioners Court may take up a separate item to consider whether to approve an order finding that Harris Health’s proposed acquisition of the Property for the Project meets 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 Commissioners Court the opportunity to review all relevant facts and obtain public comment regarding Harris Health’s proposed acquisition of the Property for the Project through eminent domain, thereby allowing the Commissioners Court to consider whether to approve, under a separate item, an order finding that Harris Health’s proposed acquisition meets criteria outlined in Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 and authorizing Harris Health to move forward with 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
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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):