A “Win-Win” Solution is Near:

Supporting Critical Health Care and Park Access

Continue to show your support to County Commissioners for a “win-win” decision for Harris Health and Hermann Park.

SIGN THE PETITION: https://www.tmohouston.org/supportbentaubexpansion

Ben Taub Hospital is only one of two Level 1 Trauma Centers/Emergency Rooms currently in the region. They provide the highest level of emergency care to extremely sick or badly injured people who need lifesaving care. Ben Taub operates every day at over capacity, with people backed up in the Emergency Room because there are no beds available in the rest of the hospital. The number of ER visits and need for inpatient care at Ben Taub will grow by 22% over the next 4 years.

UPCOMING HEARINGS

Vote to hold public hearing/make decision whether to grant eminent domain

Thursday, March 19 at 9 am at Commissioners Court, 1001 Preston St. Houston, TX 77002

proposed expansion

Background

In 2023, over 73% of voters supported Harris Health’s $2.5 billion bond election, including an expansion of Ben Taub Hospital by 100 rooms. The new LBJ hospital in Northeast Houston is well underway. The Ben Taub expansion cannot move forward, however, until Harris Health has the land on which to build it. The expansion cannot be built on top of the existing Ben Taub for structural reasons or on the existing Ben Taub campus because there is no room. Building the new rooms at a distant location is not possible since the new rooms have to be connected to a licensed hospital.

On January 29, 2026, Harris County commissioners voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on March 19 on Harris Health’s request to acquire a small, undeveloped tract of Hermann Park to build the much-needed expansion of Ben Taub Hospital. Congratulations to Harris Health, Hermann Park Conservancy, and Commissioners Rodney Ellis for their work in getting this vote into fruition.

This vote is the first step in developing a “win-win” solution for Harris Health and Hermann Park: one that addresses the dire need for more hospital beds at Ben Taub Hospital and for greater access to green space at Hermann Park.

The “Win-Win" Solution

Through community input and strategic planning between the county, the City of Houston, Harris Health, and Hermann Park Conservancy, the “win-win” solution would allow for Harris Health to acquire the tract for expanding and ultimately rebuilding Ben Taub Hospital and provide Hermann Park with a necessary parking garage on City-owned land. This gives Harris Health the opportunity to honor the will of the voters who in 2023 approved overwhelmingly (73%) for a $2.5 billon bond to expand Ben Taub and for Hermann Park Conservancy to honor Houstonians demand for greater access to this culturally important green space.

What’s Ahead

Though Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Mayor John Whitmire have worked diligently to develop this “win-win” solution, hard decisions remain and funding is always an issue.

If the measure passes, a court will determine how much Harris Health must pay to the City of Houston, as owners of the land, and to the heirs of the person who donated the land in 1914 to be used only as parkland. 

On March 19th, the Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing and make a final decision. We need to demonstrate our support for this potential “win-win” solution that will improve both access to critical health care and to vital greenspace. Please sign the petition on the following page to show your support for the Court to make a “win-win” decision for Ben Taub and Hermann Park.

Call to Action

1. Sign the TMO petition that tells Commissioners Court to allow for the Expansion. Go to https://www.tmohouston.org/supportbentaubexpansion

2. Call County Commissioners to share your support for the “Win-Win” between Harris Health and Hermann Park and urge them to support funding the solution

3. Email Commissioners at the following addresses:

[email protected] and to [email protected].

Please send a copy to TMO at [email protected]   

Sign the petition here

For more information: 

About Harris Health

Questions and Answers

Hermann Park Conservancy website

Dog Park Plans 

Conservancy position and FAQ's about expansion