The city of Houston today officially acquired the 28-acre Shell Research facility property near the Willow Waterhole to help mitigate flooding in the Westbury Community.
Mayor Turner joined City Council Member Martha Castex -Tatum, a representative from Shell Oil, State Rep. Shawn Thierry and Westbury residents to close the purchase and sign paperwork accepting the company’s property on Gasmer Drive.
Photo: (from left) Keith Probyn, Shell VP and Mayor Sylvester Turner
Back: Steve Costello, City of Houston Chief Recovery Officer, , State Rep. Shawn Thierry, Becky Edmonson, Westbury Area Improvement Corp. President, Council Member Castex-Tatum, Cindy Chapman, Westbury Civic Club President and Carol Haddock, Director, Houston Public Works.
Additional photos courtesy of the Brays Oaks Management District and photographer Roan Matthews: https://crackedfox.photoshelter.com/gallery-slideshow/G0000Wg.kR9j6zWs/C0000lijPxLUUmWU?start=
The land will add additional detention, reduce the potential for flooding to protect homes in the Westbury neighborhood along the Willow Waterhole channel and lower capital improvement costs in the reconstruction of Westbury being planned by Houston Public Works.
“Today is a milestone on so many fronts,” Mayor Turner said. “Steps are being taken to make the area more resilient and sustainable. The city is committed to mitigate the risk of flooding in Westbury and throughout Houston.”
As a result of the property acquisition, the proposed Levitt Pavilion will be relocated from along South Post Oak Road to the Shell site, which will expand the existing detention area at South Post Oak Road.
When this detention is available, Houston Public Works can move forward with the Westbury street and drainage improvements, according to Public Works Director Carol Ellinger Haddock, PE.
Photo from Left: Cindy Chapman, Westbury Civic Club President, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Becky Edmondson, Westbury Area Improvement Corp. President.