ORDINANCE appropriating $600,000.00 out of Parks Special Fund; approving and authorizing purchase and/or condemnation of land and other interest in real property and payment of the costs of such purchases and/or condemnations, with associated costs for Appraisal Fees, Service Fees, Title Policies and Services, expenses associated with Recording Fees, Court Costs, and Expert Witness Fees for and in connection with construction of the HPARD Jensen Park Project financed by the Parks Special Fund - DISTRICT B - JACKSON

RECOMMENDATION:  Appropriate funds for the purchase through condemnation of 27,648 square feet of land at 2935 Jensen Drive located in Houston, Harris County, Texas, for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD)

SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:  The General Services Department recommends appropriation of funds for the purchase of 27,648 square feet of land at 2935 Jensen Drive (Parcel BY23-003) in the amount of $600,000.00 for the condemnation award, court and miscellaneous expenses, and title policy. HPARD desires to use the land for the new Jensen Park Project.  The initial effort by the City to acquire the property via a Purchase and Sale Agreement was unsuccessful. Ordinance 2023-0265, passed April 19, 2023, approved and authorized the acquisition by dedication, donation, purchase, or, if necessary, condemnation for public necessity and convenience of the vacant property located at 2935 Jensen Drive. After the City initiated the process of condemnation, the seller decided to proceed with sale of the property to the City through a Condemnation Special Commissioners’ Hearing Award.

The following is a breakdown of expected costs:

$575,000.00    Court Award (Parcel BY23-003)

$  10,000.00     Estimated Court, Service, and Special Commissioner Fees

$  10,000.00     Contingency

$    5,000.00     Estimated Title Policy

$ 600,000.00   Total

FISCAL NOTE: 

Estimated Fiscal Operating Impact

WBS No.:  F-000513-0035-2

DIRECTOR’S SIGNATURE/DATE:

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C. J. Messiah, Jr.

General Services Department

____________________________

Kenneth Allen

Houston Parks and Recreation Department

$ 600,000.00 - Parks Special Fund (4012)

Enid M. Howard

Council Liaison                      

Phone:  832.393.8023