The bottom line
Harris Health officials are in the process of acquiring nearly nine acres of Hermann Park—also known as the Warnecke Tract—as part of a $410 million Ben Taub Hospital expansion at the Texas Medical Center.
Funded by the $2.5 billion bond package approved by Harris County voters in 2023, hospital officials said the project would add approximately 100 “critically needed” patient rooms and expand surgical capacity through a new patient tower located adjacent to Ben Taub on parkland owned by the city of Houston.
The expansion is a key player in serving the county’s uninsured and federally subsidized individuals, Harris Health officials said. They added that Ben Taub has been operating beyond its 402-bed capacity with an expected additional 22% demand for emergency visits in the next six years.
Ben Taub is the only public health care system located in the Medical Center and one of only two adult Level I trauma centers in Harris County. Officials said the hospital’s inpatient capacity limitations compromise its Level I trauma designation.
President of Harris Health Esmaeil Porsa said Harris County’s high rates of uninsured individuals are expected to increase due to federal cuts and rising health care costs.
“When that happens, the end result is that we are going to be inundated with a tsunami of patients that even today we are not prepared to care for,” Porsa said.
While a public hearing for land condemnation was originally scheduled for Dec. 11, Harris County commissioners unanimously voted Oct. 30 to delay the decision, citing a need for more transparency in the process.
Harris County commissioners also directed Harris Health to coordinate more extensively with property stakeholders, including board members of the nonprofit Hermann Park Conservancy. Hospital officials were also told to hold town halls in all four county precincts to discuss the proposed land acquisition with the public. Two town halls took place in November—one in the Texas Medical Center and one in Spring—and the remaining two are expected to take place in early January.
The process of acquiring the Houston parkland parcel is through eminent domain, which is a legal procedure where public entities can acquire land for public use, according to the conservancy board. While Hermann Park is publicly owned by the city of Houston, under land condemnation, board officials said the Warnecke heirs, who own the land parcel, must be compensated. Houston could also receive proceeds from the parcel sale, according to the conservancy’s website.
The land acquisition process includes:
- Harris Health would coordinate with city officials, the Conservancy and other stakeholders to ensure the land acquisition minimizes impact to the remainder of the park
- The land will continue to be used for park purposes under the city of Houston until the legal court proceedings are complete and ownership is transferred
Hermann Park Conservancy President Cara M. Lambright said if they can't preserve the 8.9 acres, park users and taxpayers deserve an equal or greater benefit in return to help fund park projects that restore green space, offer parking relief and other visitor benefits to offset what she called a "major loss of parkland."
“Our goal is a collaborative, win-win outcome that strengthens both public health and public space,” Lambright said.
Lambright did not disclose a specific dollar amount they’re seeking, but rather what she called “equitable investment in Hermann Park.” Louis Smith Jr., Harris Health Chief Operating Officer, said they are committed to beautifying the remaining green space to make it available to the public.
In their own words
"I do believe it will lift all boats: the parkland, health, people's quality of life and what they do in Houston, Texas. That's the opportunity in front of us." —Louis G. Smith Jr., Harris Health Chief Operating Officer
"Ben Taub serves some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and we support solutions that help Harris Health meet that need. At the same time, Hermann Park is one of Houston's most treasured public spaces." —Cara M. Lambright, Hermann Park Conservancy President
"If you try to move [Ben Taub], it will be over my dead, cold body. It's going to be right there for people who don't have access to insurance." —Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner
"I won't support anything unless it's clearly understood that the money that's going to come out of this is going to be invested in specifically—parking at Hermann Park." —Tom Ramsey, Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner
What happens next?
Following the final two town hall meetings in early 2026, Harris County commissioners are expected to make a decision by February on whether to hold the public hearing in March.
Upcoming town halls include:
- Jan. 5, 6:45 p.m.: Baker Ripley House, 4410 Navigation Blvd., Houston
- Jan 13: 6:30 p.m., Location TBD
