HOUSTON — The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved a $30 million program to demolish blighted buildings using stormwater mitigation funds, passing the measure 9-7 amid a clash between Mayor John Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins.
Hollins argued the city is not legally permitted to spend stormwater funds on building demolition. “This is about whether the city is legally permitted to spend $30 million dollars from a restricted stormwater fund to demolish buildings — and the answer is no,” he told council members before the vote.
Whitmire defended the plan, saying the program addresses public safety and drainage concerns. The demolition initiative targets buildings that obstruct stormwater infrastructure, including structures within flood plains, near inlets, ditches, channels, or outfalls, or in areas where debris and runoff impede drainage. Public works inspectors will document that demolitions improve drainage, reduce runoff, or lower localized flood risks.
Houston Public Works officials report more than 2,300 blighted buildings are in line for demolition, though only some are connected to stormwater infrastructure. The stormwater fund, primarily sourced from water and wastewater fees, stands at $166 million this year, up from about $100 million last year.
Opponents of the program, including council members Abbie Kamin, Edward Pollard, Sallie Alcorn, Tiffany Thomas, Mario Castillo, Julian Ramirez, and Alejandra Salinas, argued that the criteria for demolition are overly broad and questioned the legal authority to use stormwater funds for the initiative. Activist groups also said they may pursue legal action.
City Attorney Arturo Michel said the program complies with Houston’s municipal charter and would withstand court challenges. Council members supporting the measure said the program addresses urgent public safety and drainage concerns, even if the use of stormwater funds stretches traditional interpretations.