Proposed hospital expansion could impact parkland From the cover
What’s changed
The bottom line
Land acquisition process
If approved, Harris Health would legally purchase the property through eminent domain and notify property owners.
While a public hearing for land condemnation was originally scheduled for Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners unanimously voted Oct. 30 to delay the decision, citing a need for more transparency in the process. Harris County commissioners also directed Harris Health to coordinate more extensively with property stakeholders, including board members of the nonprofit Hermann Park Conservancy. Hospital officials were also told to hold town halls in all four county precincts to discuss the proposed land acqui- sition with the public. Two town halls took place in November—one in the Texas Medical Center and one in Spring—and the remaining two are expected to take place in early January. The process of acquiring the Houston parkland parcel is through eminent domain, which is a legal procedure where public entities can acquire land for public use, according to the conservancy board. While Hermann Park is publicly owned by the city of Houston, under land condemnation, board officials said the Warnecke heirs, who own the land parcel, must be compensated. Houston could also receive proceeds from the parcel sale, according to the conservancy’s website. The value paid for the land has not been dis- closed and will be revealed as part of court litiga- tion, according to Harris Health legal officials who spoke at a Nov. 12 town hall meeting at the Texas Medical Center. Hermann Park Conservancy President Cara M. Lambright said if they can’t preserve the 8.9 acres, park users and taxpayers deserve an equal or greater
Harris Health officials are in the process of acquiring nearly nine acres of Hermann Park— also known as the Warnecke Tract—as part of a $410 million Ben Taub Hospital expansion at the Texas Medical Center. Funded by the $2.5 billion bond package approved by Harris County voters in 2023, hospital officials said the project would add approximately 100 “critically needed” patient rooms and expand surgical capacity through a new patient tower located adjacent to Ben Taub on parkland owned by the city of Houston. The expansion is a key player in serving the county’s uninsured and federally subsidized individuals, Harris Health officials said. They added that Ben Taub has been operating beyond its 402-bed capacity with an expected additional 22% demand for emergency visits in the next six years. Hermann Park
Harris Health would coordinate with city officials, the Conservancy and other stakeholders to ensure the land acquisition minimizes impact to the remainder of the park. Until the legal court proceedings are complete and ownership is transferred, the land will continue to be used for park purposes under the city of Houston. Compensation would go to the Warnecke heirs for the loss of restrictions placed on the land and Hermann Park, which is owned by the city of Houston.
Key term
Eminent domain allows public entities like Harris Health to acquire property for what’s considered a public necessity, even if the property owner does not want to sell the land, provided the owner is adequately compensated. The process does not require a public election.
Houston Zoo
Hospital expansion Proposed land
SOURCES: HARRIS HEALTH, HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
visitor benefits to offset what she called a “major loss of parkland.” “Our goal is a collaborative, win-win outcome that strengthens both public health and public space,” Lambright said. Lambright did not disclose a specific dollar amount they’re seeking, but rather what she called “equitable investment in Hermann Park.” Louis Smith Jr., Harris Health Chief Operating Officer, said they are committed to beautifying the remaining green space to make it available to the public.
Ben Taub Hospital
LAMAR FLEMING ST.
benefit in return to help fund park projects that restore green space, offer parking relief and other
N
N
SOURCES: © GOOGLE MAPS, HARRIS HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: HARRIS HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Some context
Harris County’s uninsured rates Harris Health operates under the Texas Indigent Care Act, which mandates that all counties provide health care to resident, low-income individuals through its hospital districts or public hospitals.
Harris County’s population growth
Ben Taub is the only public health care system located in the Medical Center and one of only two adult Level I trauma centers in Harris County. Officials said the hospital’s inpatient capacity limita- tions compromise its Level I trauma designation. President of Harris Health Esmaeil Porsa said Harris County’s high rates of uninsured individ- uals are expected to increase due to federal cuts and rising health care costs. “When that happens, the end result is that we are going to be inundated with a tsunami of patients that even today we are not prepared to care for,” Porsa said.
+2.58%
Harris County
Texas
United States
2019 vs. 2023 percent change
25% 20% 15% 5% 10% 0%
-8.3%
-9.5%
-9.1%
2019
2020
2021
2022 2023
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
SOURCES: HARRIS HEALTH, U.S. CENSUS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook