The Bellaire City Council on Monday unanimously approved spending $10,000 for legal services from the environmental law firm of Blackburn & Carter, to represent the city’s concerns about the Texas Department of Transportation’s proposed reconstruction of the interchange between IH 610 and U.S. 59.
The transportation agency has proposed building a flyover ramp at the interchange, which has city officials concerned about drainage, traffic congestion in Bellaire, noise and other potential environmental hazards in the northeastern corner of the city.
Councilman Pat McLaughlan expressed concern about a letter from the law firm, which proposed spending up to $100,000, for legal and consulting work related to the environmental study of the proposed highway project.
City Attorney Alan Petrov advised the council: “It does not mean you are spending $100,000. It means you are willing to spend $100,000.”
The council suggested that the law firm’s letter of retention be changed to clarify that the city council would have to “approve” any expenditures beyond the initial $10,000 retainer — up to $100,000.
McLaughlan later expressed concern that TXDOT has not met with the Bellaire City Council, or Bellaire residents, to discuss the proposed highway project.
“I would like a meeting for council with TXDOT, and also a public meeting,” McLaughlan said.
McLaughlan said he had recently “taken it upon myself” to drive in the interchange, near the Fournace St. exit in Bellaire.
“I see absolutely no need for TXDOT to spend taxpayer dollars to rebuild that area,” McLaughlan said. “TXDOT has a solution in search of a problem.”
McLaughlan also suggested that the council try to arrange a public meeting with officials of Metro and the Uptown District. They have proposed building a 700-space parking garage on Bellaire’s northern side, to serve as a “transit center” for new bus routes through the Galleria area that would eventually connect with the Northwest Transit Center on Highway 290 and I-10.
The city had originally included a transit center for a light rail line to that part of Bellaire, but Metro has jettisoned the University Line due to funding concerns.
Mayor Phil Nauert said that the Uptown District and Metro officials are expected to brief the city on their plans sometime in April.
Nauert and a few city staffers recently met with TXDOT officials about the proposed highway reconstruction. The mayor said he was “encouraged” that the agency’s officials seemed willing to consider the city’s concerns.
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