What You Need to Know
Acres at Risk
Proposed Cost
Public Hearing
Bond Allocation
What Is Being Proposed?
Harris Health is seeking to acquire 8.9 acres of Hermann Park through eminent domain for a Ben Taub Hospital expansion. The proposal is part of a $2.5 billion Harris County bond passed in 2023, with $410 million allocated to the Ben Taub project.
View Sources
Primary: Harris Health FAQ (October 8, 2025)
Secondary: Harris County 2023 Bond Documents
Verified: Harris County Commissioners Court Meeting (January 29, 2026)
Harris Health's Position
- Ben Taub operating beyond 402-bed capacity
- Projected 18,000 additional ER visits by 2031
- Park land enables sky bridge to existing facility
- Claims vertical expansion is not viable
Issues Raised by Opposition
- Viable alternatives exist (vertical, satellite, phased)
- Reversionary interest holders not notified
- Proposed site in 100-year floodplain
- Cost per bed significantly above comparable projects
About This Dashboard
This analysis presents both perspectives with sourced data. We distinguish between verified facts, estimates with uncertainty bounds, and claims requiring further verification. Readers are encouraged to review sources and form their own conclusions.
The Proposal: Harris Health's Case
Stated Need for Expansion
According to Harris Health's official FAQ and public statements:
Source Documentation
Source: Harris Health FAQ, "Why is Harris Health asking for parkland?" (October 8, 2025)
Confidence: HIGH - Direct from Harris Health official communications
Why Park Land?
Harris Health states park land is necessary because:
- Proximity: Location across Cambridge Street allows for sky bridge connection to existing trauma center
- Continuous Operations: On-site vertical expansion would require shutting down trauma services (which Harris Health says is unsafe)
- Building Constraints: Existing Ben Taub structure has age and engineering limitations for vertical addition
- Geographic Position: Only available land adjacent to existing Level I trauma center
Source Documentation
Source: Harris Health FAQ (October 8, 2025)
Note: These claims have not been independently verified by third-party engineering analysis
Confidence: MEDIUM - Harris Health assertion; no independent verification publicly available
Financial Plan
| Budget Component | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total Ben Taub Allocation | $410M | Harris County 2023 Bond |
| Land Acquisition (HH Estimate) | $50M | Harris Health FAQ |
| Hospital Construction | $200M-$250M | Estimated based on similar projects |
| Other (Parking, Utilities, Contingency) | $100M-$160M | Calculated remainder |
Process & Timeline
Harris Health Board Approval
Board unanimously approved eminent domain resolution
COMPLETEDCommissioners Court Briefing
Harris County leadership receives project update
UPCOMINGChapter 26 Public Hearing
Required public hearing on parkland taking
CRITICAL DATENote on Independent Verification
Several of Harris Health's key claims—particularly regarding the infeasibility of vertical expansion—have not been independently verified through published third-party engineering analysis. The Hermann Park Conservancy and opposition groups dispute some of these assertions.
The Opposition: Issues Raised
Primary Opposition Arguments
Organizations including the Hermann Park Conservancy, Save Hermann Park Coalition, and various community groups have raised the following concerns:
1. Alternatives Exist
- Vertical Expansion: Other hospital systems (Baylor Dallas, Methodist Houston) have added beds through vertical construction without taking land
- Satellite Model: Building a trauma center in underserved areas (East End, Fifth Ward) could better serve healthcare equity goals
- Phased Development: Harris Health owns 11 acres adjacent to Ben Taub that could support phased expansion
- Shared TMC Resources: Texas Medical Center has unused capacity that could be leveraged
Sources
Hermann Park Conservancy public statements; ABC13 reporting; Houston Public Media coverage; Hospital expansion research (Baylor Dallas, UT Health)
2. Legal Compliance Questions
- Chapter 26 Requirements: Opposition argues Harris Health has not publicly demonstrated "no feasible and prudent alternative" as required by Texas Parks & Wildlife Code
- Reversionary Interest: Living Warneke descendants (from 1914 deed) may have claims; opposition states they have not been formally notified per Texas Property Code § 21.0061
- Fair Market Value: No independent appraisal has been publicly released; market comparables suggest land may be worth $75M-$100M+, not the $50M Harris Health estimates
Sources
Texas Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 26; Texas Property Code § 21.0061; Hermann Park Conservancy legal analysis; Harris County property records
3. Financial Concerns
- Cost Per Bed: At $4.1M per bed, Ben Taub's expansion costs 80-120% more than comparable hospital projects ($1.5M-$2.8M per bed)
- Flood Risk: Proposed site is in 100-year floodplain; mitigation infrastructure could add $30M-$50M to costs
- Opportunity Cost: $100M+ on land acquisition means fewer dollars for actual patient care capacity
Sources
Hospital expansion cost analysis (20+ comparable projects); FEMA flood maps; Harris Health bond documents
4. Strategic Plan Contradiction
- Harris Health's 2022 strategic plan prioritized expanding healthcare capacity in underserved areas (East End, North Houston, Pearland corridor)
- The Texas Medical Center is already one of the most well-served healthcare areas in the nation
- Opposition argues park takeover contradicts the stated equity mission
Sources
Harris Health 2022 Strategic Plan; Community Health Needs Assessment
Key Opposition Organizations
- Hermann Park Conservancy - Primary advocacy organization managing park operations
- Save Hermann Park Coalition - Community group formed specifically to oppose this project
- Sierra Club - Houston Group - Environmental advocacy
- Various neighborhood associations - Third Ward, Museum District, Montrose
Harris Health's Response to Opposition
Harris Health states that: (1) They have thoroughly evaluated alternatives and found park land is the only viable option; (2) Reversionary interest notification will occur after Commissioners Court approval, per their interpretation of Chapter 21; (3) The expansion serves a critical public health need that outweighs park impact; (4) Fair market value process will be followed per legal requirements.
Note: The alternatives analysis and engineering studies referenced by Harris Health have not been made publicly available as of this writing.
Interactive Map
Map Layers
Map Legend
- Proposed Acquisition Zone (8.9 acres)
- 100-Year Floodplain
- Alternative Expansion Sites
- Potential Pocket Park Locations
- 1914 Warneke Deed Zone
Geographic Context
Hermann Park: 445 total acres of public green space since 1914
Proposed Taking: 8.9 acres (less than 2% of total park)
Location: Cambridge Street, across from Ben Taub ER
Note: Area is separated from main park attractions by Cambridge Street
Financial Analysis
$410M Bond Allocation Breakdown
Methodology & Sources
Land Acquisition: Harris Health estimates $50M; market comparables suggest $75M-$100M+. Range shown reflects uncertainty.
Construction: Based on hospital construction costs of $350-$800/sq ft in Texas (2026 estimates)
Flood Mitigation: 10-15% of construction budget for 100-year floodplain sites
Confidence: MEDIUM - Based on estimates and comparable project data
Cost Per Bed Comparison
Key Finding: At $4.1M per bed, Ben Taub's expansion is at the 97th percentile of comparable hospital projects nationally. The mean cost per bed across 20+ comparable expansions is $2.1M.
Data Sources
Analysis of 20+ hospital expansion projects (2018-2025) including: Baylor Scott & White Dallas, UT Health San Antonio, Dell Medical School Austin, Methodist Houston, Stanford Medical, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, Cedars-Sinai, Mass General, UCLA Medical, Parkland Dallas, and others.
Hidden Cost Analysis
| Cost Category | Estimated Range | Notes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Acquisition (Beyond HH Estimate) | $25M-$50M additional | If market value exceeds Harris Health's $50M estimate | MEDIUM |
| Flood Mitigation Infrastructure | $30M-$50M | Required for 100-year floodplain construction | HIGH |
| Reversionary Interest Settlement | $25M-$50M | If Warneke heirs successfully claim (40% probability est.) | LOW |
| Litigation Costs | $5M-$15M | If Chapter 26 or reversionary challenges proceed | LOW |
| Total Potential Hidden Costs | $60M-$115M | Could bring total to $470M-$525M | MEDIUM |
Opportunity Cost
If $100M in land costs were redirected to hospital beds at alternative-site rates ($2M-$2.5M per bed), Harris Health could potentially add 40-50 additional beds beyond the current plan.
Equity Impact Analysis
Park Access by Neighborhood
Interpretation: Hermann Park is located in a well-served area (98% of nearby residents within 0.5 miles of park access). Third Ward and Fifth Ward are historically underserved "park deserts" with significantly lower access.
Sources
Rice Kinder Institute (2021) Park Equity Analysis; Houston Chronicle Parks Report (2023); EPA Environmental Justice Research (2022)
Who Loses?
- ~500,000 Houston residents who use Hermann Park
- Loss of 8.9 acres of mature urban tree canopy
- Environmental benefits (carbon sequestration, heat island mitigation)
- Public green space in already well-served area
Who Gains?
- Patients requiring Level I trauma care
- 100 additional hospital beds
- Improved emergency room capacity
- Note: Service area primarily TMC (already well-served)
Equity Question
Harris Health's 2022 strategic plan prioritized expanding healthcare to underserved areas. The Texas Medical Center is already one of the most healthcare-rich areas in the United States. Opposition groups argue that a satellite trauma center in the East End or Fifth Ward would better serve equity goals while avoiding park impact.
Environmental Justice Considerations
- Third Ward, Fourth Ward, Fifth Ward: Face disproportionate environmental hazards (per "Double Jeopardy in Houston" study)
- Park Deserts: Low-income, predominantly minority areas have fewer parks per capita
- Gentrification Pressure: Historic Third Ward facing displacement (2022-2025 research)
- Alternative: Pocket park network in underserved areas would address equity gaps directly
Sources
UCS Environmental Justice Analysis (2025); Academic research on Third Ward gentrification (2022-2025); Rice Kinder Institute
Pocket Park Alternative
The Opportunity
What if the land acquisition budget were redirected to distributed green space in underserved neighborhoods? This section quantifies that alternative.
Hermann Park Per Acre
Pocket Park Cost
Pocket Parks Possible
Residents Served
Calculation
| Metric | Value | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Hermann Park Land Value | $50M-$100M | Harris Health: $50M; Market comps: $75M-$100M+ |
| Cost Per Acre | $5.6M-$11.2M | Land value ÷ 8.9 acres |
| Average Pocket Park Cost | $550K | Land ($200K) + Development ($350K) |
| Parks Per Acre of Hermann Park | ~14 parks | $7.9M ÷ $550K |
| Total Pocket Parks | 100-150 parks | 8.9 acres × 14 parks/acre (conservative) |
Geographic Distribution
| Neighborhood | Pocket Parks | Residents Served | Current Park Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third Ward | 30-40 | ~25,000 | 30-40% within 0.5 miles |
| Fifth Ward | 25-35 | ~20,000 | 25-35% within 0.5 miles |
| East End | 20-30 | ~15,000 | 20-30% within 0.5 miles |
| Other Underserved Areas | 20-30 | ~15,000 | Variable |
| TOTAL | 100-150 | ~75,000 | 60-80% coverage with network |
Pocket Park Network Visualization
Each dot represents one potential pocket park serving ~500 residents:
128 parks shown (conservative estimate)
Equity Impact Comparison
- Hermann Park Loss: Affects well-served area (98% park access); 8.9 acres, one location
- Pocket Park Network: Serves underserved areas (currently 25-40% access); 100-150 locations distributed across park deserts
- Environmental Benefit: 100-150 parks × 50 trees/park = 5,000-7,500 new trees in urban heat islands
- Community Engagement: Distributed model enables local stewardship and ownership
Data Sources & Methodology
Inner-city land values: Houston Land Bank data; Third Ward and Fifth Ward listing prices (2025-2026)
Pocket park costs: Harris County Precinct 2 projects ($264K themed parks); Houston beautification projects ($62.5K small projects); General estimates ($250K-$500K full parks)
Confidence: MEDIUM - Based on comparable project costs and market data
Expansion Scenario Comparison
Five Ways to Expand Ben Taub
This analysis compares five potential approaches to adding hospital capacity, with transparent metrics for cost, timeline, legal risk, and equity impact.
Scenario B: Satellite Trauma Center
Description: Build new trauma center in underserved East End
Cost per bed: $1.75M-$2.3M
Timeline: 6 years
Beds: 150-200
Legal Risk: LOW
Equity Impact: HIGH (serves underserved)
Scenario D: Shared TMC Infrastructure
Description: Negotiate joint resources with other TMC institutions
Cost per bed: $1.7M-$2.5M
Timeline: 4 years (shortest)
Beds: 100-150
Legal Risk: LOW
Equity Impact: MEDIUM
Scenario A: Vertical Expansion
Description: Add 4-5 floors to existing Ben Taub structure
Cost per bed: $1.9M-$2.8M
Timeline: 5 years
Beds: 100-150
Legal Risk: LOW
Equity Impact: MEDIUM
Scenario C: Phased On-Site
Description: Multi-year development on existing 11-acre campus
Cost per bed: $2M-$3M
Timeline: 7 years
Beds: 100-150
Legal Risk: LOW
Equity Impact: MEDIUM
Scenario E: Park Takeover (Current Plan)
Description: Acquire 8.9 acres of Hermann Park via eminent domain
Cost per bed: $4.1M-$4.5M
Timeline: 5-7 years (with litigation)
Beds: 100
Legal Risk: HIGH
Equity Impact: LOW (park loss)
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Metric | A: Vertical | B: Satellite | C: Phased | D: Shared | E: Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cost | $280M | $350M | $300M | $250M | $410M+ |
| Cost per Bed | $1.9M-$2.8M | $1.75M-$2.3M | $2M-$3M | $1.7M-$2.5M | $4.1M-$4.5M |
| Timeline | 5 years | 6 years | 7 years | 4 years | 5-7 years |
| Beds Gained | 100-150 | 150-200 | 100-150 | 100-150 | 100 |
| Legal Risk | LOW | LOW | LOW | LOW | HIGH |
| Equity Impact | MEDIUM | HIGH | MEDIUM | MEDIUM | LOW |
| Flood Risk | MEDIUM | LOW | MEDIUM | MEDIUM | HIGH |
Key Findings
- Scenario B (Satellite) scores highest on equity and cost-effectiveness while adding the most beds
- Scenario D (Shared) has the lowest cost and shortest timeline
- Scenarios A-D all cost $130M-$160M less than park takeover
- Scenario E (Park) is the most expensive per bed, has highest legal risk, and lowest equity benefit
Harris Health's Position on Alternatives
Harris Health states they have evaluated alternatives and determined that only park land allows for sky bridge connection and avoids trauma center service disruption. The detailed alternatives analysis has not been made publicly available.
Legal Compliance Tracker
Chapter 26 Requirements (Texas Parks & Wildlife Code)
Before approving parkland taking, the governing body must make specific findings:
1. "No Feasible and Prudent Alternative"
Requirement: Governing body must determine that no feasible and prudent alternative exists.
Status: According to opposition, Harris Health has not publicly released a comprehensive alternatives analysis.
Harris Health Position: Claims alternatives were evaluated internally.
Legal Precedent: Block House MUD v. City of Leander (2009) - Determination is subject to judicial review.
INCOMPLETE (per opposition)2. "All Reasonable Planning to Minimize Harm"
Requirement: Project must include all reasonable planning to minimize harm to parkland.
Status: No independent environmental impact assessment publicly released.
PENDING VERIFICATION3. Public Hearing & Notice
Requirement: Written notice 30 days before; newspaper notice 3 weeks; public hearing.
Status: Hearing scheduled for March 19, 2026.
SCHEDULED4. Reversionary Interest Notification
Requirement: Texas Property Code § 21.0061 requires all reversionary interest holders to be notified.
Status: According to opposition, living Warneke descendants have not been formally notified.
Harris Health Position: States notification will occur after Commissioners Court approval.
Legal Risk: Failure to notify could void condemnation.
NOT COMPLETED (per opposition)5. Fair Market Value Appraisal
Requirement: Independent appraisal including reversionary interest value.
Status: No independent appraisal publicly released. Harris Health estimates $50M; market comparables suggest $75M-$100M+.
NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLELegal Risk Assessment
| Risk Factor | Probability | Potential Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 26 Challenge | 40% | Could block project | Strong compliance documentation |
| Reversionary Interest Claim | 60% | $25M-$50M settlement | Formal notification; negotiation |
| Judicial Review (30-day window) | 30% | 3-5 year delay | Robust administrative record |
Methodology Note
Probabilities are estimates based on comparable cases and legal expert commentary. They represent potential scenarios, not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on many factors.
Key Dates
Harris Health Board Vote
COMPLETEDCommissioners Court Briefing
UPCOMINGPUBLIC HEARING - Chapter 26
Opposition testimony directly influences decision-makers
CRITICAL DATEJudicial Review Window
Legal challenges must be filed within 30 days
FUTUREResources & How to Participate
Before March 19 Hearing
- File Public Records Requests: Request alternatives analysis, land appraisals, board meeting minutes from Harris Health
- Attend January 29 Briefing: Harris County Commissioners Court briefing on project status
- Contact Commissioners: Share concerns with Harris County Commissioners
- Join Advocacy Organizations: Hermann Park Conservancy, Save Hermann Park Coalition
At March 19 Hearing
- Sign Up to Testify: Public comment period typically 3-5 minutes per speaker
- Suggested Topics:
- Viable alternatives exist (vertical, satellite, phased, shared)
- Cost per bed significantly above comparable projects
- Reversionary interest notification requirements
- Flood risk and climate considerations
- Equity concerns (park loss in context of strategic plan)
- Bring Documentation: Research, case studies, supporting materials
Evidence Resources
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Code Chapter 26
- Texas Property Code § 21.0061
- Hermann Park Conservancy
- FEMA Flood Maps
- Harris County Commissioners Court public records
Key Discussion Points (Neutral Framing)
- "Harris Health has not publicly released a comprehensive alternatives analysis as required by Chapter 26."
- "At $4.1M per bed, this expansion costs significantly more than comparable projects nationally ($1.5M-$2.8M)."
- "The proposed site is in a 100-year floodplain, potentially adding $30M-$50M in mitigation costs."
- "According to opposition groups, reversionary interest holders have not been formally notified."
- "Harris Health's 2022 strategic plan prioritized expansion to underserved areas, not the already well-served TMC."