Houston City Council voted 9–7 to approve spending $30 million in stormwater funds to demolish abandoned and dangerous buildings that officials say interfere with drainage and contribute to flooding concerns across the city.
Debate Over Use of Funds
The proposal drew pushback from several council members and City Controller Chris Hollins, who questioned whether demolishing buildings is an appropriate use of stormwater funds. Councilmember Edward Pollard called the connection between building demolition and drainage maintenance “very far-fetched.”
City Defends Legal Authority
City attorneys told council the plan is legally sound, and Mayor John Whitmire defended the measure as a response to urgent neighborhood safety concerns. “People are pleading with us to demolish dangerous buildings,” Whitmire said during the meeting.
Thousands of Properties Under Review
The city has identified more than 300 properties already declared dangerous, while Houston Public Works maintains a list of over 2,000 properties that could qualify. Officials said the list will be reviewed and prioritized before final approvals are issued.
Supporters Cite Root Cause of Flooding Issues
Backers of the plan argue abandoned buildings often attract illegal dumping that clogs nearby drainage systems. Councilmember Amy Peck said demolition could reduce repeated maintenance costs by addressing the source of debris entering stormwater infrastructure.
Opposition Raises Legal Concerns
Councilmember Abbie Kamin, who voted against the measure, warned of potential legal challenges, pointing to past court rulings that restricted the use of flood mitigation funds for unrelated purposes. Despite those concerns, the city attorney’s office reaffirmed its conclusion that the funding use complies with the law.
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