HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The City of Houston is removing about $1.3 million in taxpayer-funded improvements from Grimes Park after the Houston Independent School District ended its lease with the city for the property.<\/p>\n
Several Houston city council members are questioning why the city invested in improvements on land it did not own and why the lease requires the city to pay to remove the equipment and repair the property afterward.<\/p>\n
The park currently has tennis nets, basketball hoops, and lights that have been removed. Swing sets are also expected to come down at some point.<\/p>\n
ABC13 obtained the latest lease agreement between the city and HISD, which was originally set to run for five years and expire in 2028.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement, either party could terminate the lease by providing 60 days’ advance written notice.<\/p>\n
The lease also authorized the city to make improvements to the property.<\/p>\n
However, the agreement states that improvements not removed within 60 days after the lease ends would be considered abandoned and become the property of HISD.<\/p>\n
The city is also responsible for repairing any damage caused by removing the improvements.<\/p>\n
Councilmembers Ed Pollard, who represents District J, and Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, who represents District D, criticized the arrangement during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.<\/p>\n
“That does not put the city in a good position whatsoever when you’re leasing that land for park use and community benefit,” Pollard said.<\/p>\n
Evans-Shabazz said the city should take a closer look at how it negotiates agreements involving property it does not own.<\/p>\n
“In the future, we need to look at how we negotiate these contracts,” Evans-Shabazz said. “Who wants to go into a house, remodel it, and somebody could just decide that they can come take your home?”<\/p>\n
HISD says it plans to use the property for a new career and technology center. Construction is expected to begin in March.<\/p>\n
Pollard also challenged the city to review similar agreements to determine whether they adequately protect taxpayers.<\/p>\n
Mayor John Whitmire appeared to agree with the need for a review during Wednesday’s council meeting.<\/p>\n
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