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Brownsville authorizes eminent domain to acquire 25.79-acre tract for North Main Drain project
Summary
The commission approved Resolution 2025-039 authorizing acquisition and filing of eminent domain proceedings to acquire approximately 25.79 acres owned by South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development Inc for Project 1B North Main Drain and 4 Corners.
The Brownsville City Commission on April 1 approved Resolution 2025-039 authorizing the city to acquire by negotiation or, if necessary, eminent domain a roughly 25.79-acre tract needed for Project 1B North Main Drain and 4 Corners, a drainage and parkland improvement project described in the Port Isabel HUC-10 watershed study.
According to the materials read into the record, the parcel was described as 25.79 acres and read as “1,000,123,412 square feet, more or less” in the meeting text. The property was identified by county appraisal records (CCAD) as currently appraised at $1,685,119 (per CCAD), and located at the southeast corner of Robin Hood Drive and Old Port Isabel Road in Brownsville. The owner listed in the reading was South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development Inc., recorded in the Cameron County official public records under the document number read into the record.
City staff said the acquisition is for public use to provide drainage and parkland improvements, to extend and enlarge the city's drainage system and to benefit the city’s drainage capacity. The presentation stated engineering estimates indicate the improvements will benefit approximately 19,600 residents and about 1,000 homes.
A commissioner moved to approve Resolution 2025-039, and the motion passed by voice vote. The resolution authorizes acquisition and, if necessary, the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment for the fee-simple interest described in the resolution. City staff noted final purchase price and closing steps remain subject to appraisal updates or a commissioner’s award, and the appraisal figure read into the record may be adjusted by further appraisal work or negotiation.
The commission acted after an executive session held under Texas Government Code Chapter 551 (sections 551.071 and 551.072) related to the project. The resolution's adoption allows the city to proceed with acquiring the property through negotiation or condemnation as described in the document approved by the commission.
