RECOMMENDATION from City Attorney to deposit the amount of the Award of the Special Commissioners into the Registry of the Court and pay the costs of Court in connection with the eminent domain proceeding styled City v. Jumana Murtaza Bhuriwala et al.; Cause No. 1210898 for acquisition of Parcel BY23-003 for the JENSEN PARK PROJECT - DISTRICT B - JACKSON

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department Future Jensen Park Project will provide new greenspace for the community. The Park will be redeveloped to include running track repairs, site improvements, and sports field improvements.

This eminent domain proceeding involves the acquisition of a parcel of land containing a total of 27,648 square feet of land (the “Property”).   The Property is located at 2935 Jensen Drive in the City of Houston. Prior to sending the matter to the Legal Department, the City attempted to negotiate a purchase of the property, but those efforts were unsuccessful.  The matter was then referred to the Legal Department to initiate eminent domain proceedings to acquire the needed property. The Legal Department filed the eminent domain petition and a Special Commissioners’ hearing was held.

City’s Appraisal for the Special Commissioners: .......................................$525,366.00

Landowner’s Appraisal for the Special Commissioners: ...........................$587,159.00

Award of the Special Commissioners’ Hearing. ..........................................$575,000.00

Court & Misc. Costs: Special Commissioners’ fees: $1,875.00 ($625.00 x 3), Process Service and Filing Fees: $125.00, Appraisal Fees: $1,500.00, Estimated Total Costs: $3,500.00.

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Arturo G. Michel, City Attorney

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C.J. Messiah

Director, General Services Department

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Kenneth Allen

Ordinance No. 2023-0265, passed 4/19/2023

Steven Beard .............832-393-6295

Suzanne Chauvin....... 832-393-6219