DEPARTMENT: Center City Development Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Lori Houston
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
Creation of a Public Facilities Corporation for future designation as the City's land bank.
SUMMARY:
This Resolution authorizes the creation of the HemisFair Park Public Facilities Corporation for future designation as the City's land bank to which the City intends to transfer title to the City-owned property that comprises HemisFair Park in accordance with State law.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In September 2009, City Council voted to establish the HemisFair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation ("HPARC"), a Local Government Corporation, to develop a plan for the re-development of the HemisFair site and adjacent areas. On February 9, 2012, City Council approved HPARC's Framework and Master Plan as the conceptual strategy for the redevelopment of the original HemisFair site. The Master Plan envisions balanced land use within the HemisFair site, with mixed-use development, a blend of open space, plazas, courtyards and civic, commercial and residential uses. To implement the Master Plan, the City will be seeking to transfer ownership of some land currently comprising HemsFair Park to HemisFair Park Public Facilities Corporation .
Texas law generally requires an election prior to a city's transfer of title to land that has been designated as a city park, such as HemisFair Park. However, the 83rd Regular Texas Legislature amended Chapter 379C of the Texas Local Government Code to add Section 379C.014 (the Land Bank Statute). This new statute authorizes the City to convey title to the property that now comprises HemisFair Park to a land bank without an election, subject to any deed restrictions that the City adopts, before January 1, 2014, so long as at least 18 acres of dedicated public squares or parks remain after the conveyance.
Chapter 303, as amended, Texas Local Government Code (Chapter 303) pe...
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