Primary Department: Harris Health System
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, M.D, President and Chief Executive Officer, Harris Health System
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental 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 by Harris Health for Harris County Commissioners Court to set and authorize a notice of public hearing on March 19, 2026 pursuant to Texas Parks and 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:
On September 23, 2025, the Harris County Hospital District d/b/a Harris Health Board Trustees (the “Harris Health Board”) unanimously approved a resolution related to a project to redevelop and expand Ben Taub Hospital (the “Project”), which authorized the acquisition by eminent domain for public convenience and necessity of three parcels of land within Hermann Park of approximately 8.9 acres (the “Property”). After reviewing the information provided by Administration and the clearly enunciated local preferences, including the testimony received at the July 24, 2025 public hearing, the Harris Health Board found and determined that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the taking of the property for the Project and that the Project includes all reasonable planning to minimize and mitigate harm to Hermann Park, pursuant to Chapter 26. Pursuant to Section 281.050, of the Texas Health and Safety Code, Harris County Commissioners Court (“Commissioners Court”) approval is required before Harris Health can acquire land through eminent domain.
On October 30, 2025, Commissioners Court directed Harris Health administration to return to Commissioners Court on January 29, 2026, to report on the results of its community engagement efforts on the Project and to request that the County schedule and provide notice of a Chapter 26 hearing at Commissioners Court on March 19, 2026 relating to Harris Health’s proposed taking of the Property for the Project.
Pursuant to the Commissioners Court order dated October 30, 2025, Harris Health requests that the Commissioners Court authorize the publication of the statutorily-prescribed notices for a Chapter 26 hearing to be held on March 19,
2026 to allow the Commissioners Court the opportunity review all relevant facts and obtain public comment on the project before the Commissioners Court considers approval of Harris Health’s use of eminent domain to acquire the Property for the Project.
Expected Impact: N/A
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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10/30/25 |
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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: 1/29/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 3/19/2026
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): Community Engagement Report - Ben Taub Expansion Project