Descendants of Hermann Park donor speaks to Harris Healt, demanding a pause on condemnation

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Descendants of the man who donated portions of Hermann Park to the City of Houston 111 years ago spoke before the county agency attempting to condemn the property on Thursday.

It's the latest development in the escalating drama of a beloved Houston park that's in danger of becoming the latest parcel of land to be paved and built upon in the Bayou City.

On Thursday morning, Dorsey Parker and his brother, Scott, both spoke out during the public comment portion of Harris Health's monthly board meeting. Then men are the great-great-great-grandsons of August Warneke, who donated a portion of Hermann Park, with the understanding that it would remain green space in perpetuity.

"I'm a descendant of August Warneke," Dorsey Parker said in front of the board in his brief remarks. "I'm opposing the city of Houston, City Council, Texas Medical Center, and Harris Health changing the use (of the park) for the expansion of Ben Taub Hospital.

Scott Parker, an attorney from the Dallas area, testified virtually. He pointed out that plans for Ben Taub's expansion into the current parkland have been ongoing for years, but nobody has contacted any of the descendants, nor has a public information campaign been launched.

"The plans have been discussed in covert private and public meetings with possible illegal side deals or in exchange for favors being given by the City of Houston, Hermann Park Conservancy, and/or any other parties as to not oppose the condemnation," Parker said.

None of Parker's allegations of possible illegal activity by those involved in the condemnation process has been proven, but Parker says he is just beginning to look into the issue, having only been made aware of the entire process less than a week ago.

However, the sale of public park land is governed by state law, which has certain public disclosure requirements.

The specific part of the law that appears to apply to the Hermann Park condemnation is Section 253.001. As follows: hyperlink: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.253.htm

(b) Land owned, held, or claimed as a public square or park may not be sold unless the issue of the sale is submitted to the qualified voters of the municipality at an election and is approved by a majority of the votes received at the election; provided, however, this provision shall not apply to the sale of land or right-of-way for drainage purposes to a district, county, or corporation acting on behalf of a county or district.

So far, there does not appear to be any public votes planned on this project. Dr. Andrea Caracostis, Harris Health Board Chair, insists that all laws are being followed.

"Nothing is finalized," Dr. Carascostis said when ABC13 asked why no public votes have been scheduled. "Those are all decisions that have been happening, but we don't have anything concrete to present."

At the same time, Dr. Carascostis says expanding into the park has always been part of Ben Taub's long-term strategic plan. "Unfortunately, we have done studies (about building elsewhere) and we have concluded that this is the best and most efficient way."

After ABC13 broke the story in July, Harris Health added a news release detailing its plans. Two weeks after that, Harris Health added an FAQ section to a news release, providing some insight into plans to take over the park. The FAQ says the vote to condemn the land is expected in September.

You can read the information here.

In the past, Harris Health has said it would only reach out to stakeholders after the land has been condemned and they own it. But the Warneke descendants believe they, and fellow Houstonians, should have a say in the process now, before it's too late.

"It's simple," Parker said. "The City of Houston should keep it as a park, but if the city of Houston no longer wants to honor my Great, Great, Great grandfather and keep it as a park, as blatantly shown by the City of Houston and its key players continuing to want the park to be condemned, then the property should revert back to the Warneke descendants immediately."

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