ORDINANCE finding and determining public convenience and necessity for the acquisition of real property interests in connection with the public improvement project known as the Greenbriar Street Paving and Drainage: Rice Boulevard to W. Holcombe Boulevard Project; authorizing the acquisition of fee simple or easement interest to parcels of land required for the project with four parcels situated in the P.W. Rose Survey, Abstract No. 645 in Harris County, Texas and with two parcels situated in the A.C. Reynolds  Survey, Abstract No. 61 by gift, dedication, purchase and the use of eminent domain and further authorizing payment of the costs of such purchases and/or eminent domain proceedings and associated costs for relocation assistance, appraisal fees, title policies/services, recording fees, court costs, and expert witness fees in connection with the acquisition of fee simple or easement interests to the six parcels of land required for the project - DISTRICT C - COHEN

SUBJECT: Recommendation that an ordinance for the GREENBRIAR STREET PAVING AND DRAINAGE: RICE BOULEVARD TO W. HOLCOMBE BOULEVARD PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

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RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)

An ordinance for the GREENBRIAR STREET PAVING AND DRAINAGE:  RICE BOULEVARD TO W. HOLCOMBE BOULEVARD PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase, or condemnation.

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:

The Department of Public Works and Engineering is requesting that an ordinance for the GREENBRIAR STREET PAVING AND DRAINAGE: RICE BOULEVARD TO W. HOLCOMBE BOULEVARD PROJECT be passed approving and authorizing the acquisition of parcels by dedication, purchase or condemnation.

This project provides for the right-of-way acquisition, design and reconstruction of a 4-lane non-divided roadway from Rice Boulevard to University Boulevard, and reconstruction of a 3-lane non-divided concrete roadway from University Boulevard to Sheridan Street.  This project will be designed and constructed to improve traffic circulation, drainage and safety in the service area.

This action authorizes payment for costs of land purchases/condemnations, relocation assistance expenses, appraisal fees, title policies/services, recording fees and other acquisition costs in connection with negotiations to settle purchases; finds a public necessity for the project; and approves and authorizes the condemnation of the land and improvements thereon.  If negotiations to acquire the property cannot be concluded as a dedication or purchase or for any reason for which acquisition by condemnation is warranted, this action authorizes the City Attorney to file or cause Eminent Domain proceedings to be filed and acquire land, rights-of-way and/or easements for said purposes and authorizes payment for the Award of Special Commissioners and court costs associated with condemnation proceedings. Parcels with a consideration that exceeds the spending authority threshold set by State law will be submitted to City Council as they are finalized.  This will expedite the process of acquiring land, rights-of-way and/or easements in support of the GREENBRIAR STREET PAVING AND DRAINAGE:  RICE BOULEVARD TO W. HOLCOMBE BOULEVARD PROJECT.

Ordinance 2017-373, passed May 24, 2017

No additional funding required.

Nancy P. Collins

Senior Assistant Director- Real Estate

Phone: (832) 395-3130

_____________________________

Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.

Acting Director

Department of Public Works and Engineering

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