A Houston hospital says this is their only option to solve a crisis that has patients lining the hallways.
HOUSTON — A piece of Hermann Park could soon change — with plans in motion to use nearly nine acres to expand Ben Taub Hospital.
“This is the only option in front of us to allow for this. This community deserves it,” said Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, Harris Health CEO.
Dr. Porsa says the new facility is desperately needed. Ben Taub is one of only two Level 1 trauma centers for adults in the area.
“We have patients lined up in our hallways. People backed up in the emergency room. There are no hospital beds,” Porsa said.
The plan is to build a new hospital tower right next to the old Ben Taub, using green space in Hermann Park. It will include a new trauma care facility.
The land was donated over a century ago and may come with strings attached. Before work can begin, it must go through eminent domain, which means tracking down and notifying all descendants connected to it.
“I anticipate at least a couple of years of legal maneuvering and identifying folks,” Porsa said.
At a recent board meeting, the Hermann Park Conservancy backed the expansion but emphasized the importance of preserving green space.
“We remain mindful of what the community stands to lose,” said Cara Lambright, Hermann Park Conservancy CEO.
In exchange, Harris Health says they’ll give land back to the city once a new Ben Taub Hospital is built on the Hermann Park land. That includes about 11 acres of land that the current Ben Taub Hospital sits on, including the parking garage. But that process could take many years.
“That kind of delay carries real consequences for public access to green space,” Lambright said.
Next steps include approvals from Harris Health, Harris County and the city of Houston before the land can be condemned and the expansion can begin.