by Nicole Bradford
The City of Pearland is moving toward purchase a 20-acre tract next to the city’s public safety building to expand training facilities.
In a 4-3 vote, Pearland City Council on April 8 authorized use of eminent domain if necessary to acquire the property, which has been privately appraised at approximately $7.9 million.
“The parties have not been able to reach an agreement on the purchase price,” city documents state.
Council members Layne Cade, Adrian Hernandez and Rushi Patel voted against.
“Declaring public necessity is just a high, high bar for me,” Hernandez said. “I don’t really know that I’ve heard the passionate plea that this is a necessity, similar to other things that have come before us.”
Patel had questions regarding plans for the site and how those would be funded.
“I don’t think we have a clear vision of what we’re going to do with this land,” he said. “Before you go purchase something, let’s make sure we have a clear vision of what the purpose of this land will be, and let’s make sure we understand the cost implications.”
City staff said the site would accommodate a shooting range and driving training track with additional possibilities of an emergency operations center.
“(The facilities) are not really funded at this point, so we can’t really give a timeline as to when we would build those,” City Manager Trent Epperson said. “Those would be projects to be considered by council in the next bond package we look at, which will probably be around 2027-2028.”
Police Chief Johnny Spires said training facilities have proven useful in recruiting, and that currently officers drive out of town for driving and shooting range use. In addition, the facility could be leased.
“There are departments all over the place looking for a place to do this kind of training,” he said.
