Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Manvel approves vacation of Russell Street right-of-way to allow unified Bighorn Barbecue/Tex-Mex development
Loading...
Summary
Council approved an ordinance abandoning a 0.4073-acre portion of Russell Street between State Highway 6 and Large Avenue to allow an integrated restaurant complex adjacent to Bighorn Barbecue, while retaining easements for existing CenterPoint facilities and directing staff to negotiate fair-market or alternative compensation.
The Manvel City Council on Monday approved an ordinance to vacate and convey a 0.4073-acre portion of Russell Street between State Highway 6 and Large Avenue so an owner group can consolidate parcels and develop a unified restaurant complex adjacent to Bighorn Barbecue.
Council approved two readings of Ordinance 2025-O-13 and directed staff to negotiate compensation with the applicants, either fair-market-value cash or an alternative means such as public improvements. The council vote was unanimous.
Joe (city staff member) described the request as "a right of way abandonment for the portion of Russell Street from Highway 6 to Large" that is tied to development of the property at 7303 Russell as a unified restaurant complex. Staff recommended approval "with the provision of retaining an easement and also upon payment of any fees or addressing any conditions that the council would decide," he said. The Planning, Development and Zoning Commission had forwarded a favorable recommendation.
Staff and the applicant told the council they had identified existing CenterPoint Energy facilities in the right of way. Joe noted the city must retain easements for any existing facilities even if the right of way is abandoned. The applicant's representative, Alan Mueller of Grama Development, said the only line currently serves the east-side vacant building and the applicant is "working with CenterPoint" to disconnect that facility; he also said the team could design around any retained easement if removal is not immediately possible.
Mueller also told the council the applicant would seek a state private-club license to allow full-strength margaritas at the new Tex-Mex restaurant. "Real margaritas? Real margaritas. Yes, ma'am," Mueller said during public comment.
At the council meeting the mayor moved approval and council supported a direction that staff negotiate compensation with the applicant, allowing for either appraisal-based payment or "alternative means" such as improvements and betterments as consideration. The ordinance includes a requirement that the city retain easements for existing utilities in the vacated right of way.
The staff report and packet include a draft redline and cost/compensation options; the applicants told the council they plan to return in June to complete related Economic Development Corporation (EDC) steps.
