SUBJECT: An ordinance approving and authorizing the conveyance of the William L. Foley House from the City of Houston to the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston for the use by Annunciation Parish in consideration of Archbishop’s agreement to maintain the structure in a historically sympathetic manner for thirty years
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary) Approve an ordinance approving the transfer and authorizing the execution of a warranty deed and bill of sale of the William L. Foley House.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The City owns a structure that was originally constructed in 1904 and is known as the William L. Foley House (the “House”.
The Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and his successors and assigns, for the use and benefit of Annunciation Parish (“Grantee”), desires to raise funds to restore the structure of the House and to maintain the House as part of the campus of Annunciation Parish; and after completion of the restoration, will maintain the structure in a historically sympathetic manner for at least thirty years. If the church changes its plans and desire to demolish the House within the next 40 years (ten years after the expiration of the thirty-year maintenance period), the church will offer to re-convey the House back to the City.
The house has been moved several times in its life. At least two of these moves were done to accommodate projects around the Convention Center. For numerous years, the City unsuccessfully sought to find a permanent home for the house and an owner willing to undertake restoration. This year, Annunciation Parish indicated an interest in taking the house and incorporating it into its downtown campus.
In preparation for the Nau Center, the house was relocated to the Annunciation Parish grounds. The restoration is underway.