The West Alabama Street Paving and Drainage Project provides for right-of-way acquisition, design and reconstruction of an undivided concrete roadway with storm drainage, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, street lighting, traffic control and the necessary underground utilities. The project will replace a street that has deteriorated beyond economic repair and normal maintenance. It will improve traffic circulation, mobility, and drainage in the service area and upgrade the existing roadway to Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan standards.
These two-eminent domain proceedings involve the acquisition of permanent easements to four parcels of land containing a total of 1112 square feet of land. The properties are owned by St. Luke’s Methodist Church Foundation, Inc. and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church of Houston and are located at West Alabama’s intersection with Edloe Street and West Alabama Court. Efforts by Public Works and Engineering to negotiate the purchase failed, and the matters were referred to the Legal Department to initiate eminent domain proceedings to acquire the needed property. The Legal Department filed the eminent domain case and served notice on the parties as required by law.
After the Special Commissioners’ hearing, the parties entered settlement negotiations. The parties agreed to fully settle the condemnation proceedings for an additional increase of $30,000.00 above the amount of the Award of Special Commissioners for a final sum of $298,010.00. All costs of these proceedings have been previously paid by the City of Houston.
It is recommended that the City Attorney be authorized by Motion to settle this condemnation proceeding. Funding is provided by a previously approved blanket appropriation ordinance.