HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — In order to get patients out of the hallways, and add more beds, Harris County leaders took a big step forward with a Harris Health expansion project.
On Thursday, Harris County commissioners voted to hold a hearing in less than two months to condemn Hermann Park property to make way for a Ben Taub expansion.
Some of them even signaled they plan to vote in favor. However, they told Harris Health leaders they didn’t support how they got to this point.
Harris Health wants to expand on nearly nine acres near its medical center location using Hermann Park property. In order to make it happen, it needs commissioners to condemn the land.
Over the last couple of months, six public meetings took place regarding the proposal. During commissioners court, ABC13 learned more than 400 people showed up to the meetings, and asked more than 300 questions.
Commissioners told hospital officials they were frustrated the meetings didn’t take place before plans to condemn the property took place. Harris Health officials said they didn’t have a choice because they say it’s the best option to add 100 additional beds.
“It is not unusual to hear that 70 of the 98 ER beds are taken up by patients who have been admitted to the hospital but don’t have a place to go to,” Harris Health CEO Esmaeil Porsa said. “That means that Ben Taub emergency room is basically at a standstill.”
If commissioners do condemn the property, Harris Health officials says the expansion project would cost $410 million. If they were to build a new hospital at another location they say it would cost two point five billion dollars.
Commissioners will hold a hearing and vote on condemning the park property on March 19.
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