West University city council meeting heats up over 'super block' plan

WEST UNIVERSITY, TX (KTRK) -- West University's City Council chambers was filled with energy Monday night.

"Really, shame on council. And, shame on the city manager for keeping us in the dark on the details of this," said one resident during the public comments portion of the meeting.

The discourse is all over a super block, a proposed master plan that would consolidate services along one block of University Boulevard. To do so, the city would need to swap land with West U Baptist Church, which wants to build a youth shelter. Many residents voiced concerns over increased traffic and congestion in their already-crowded neighborhood center.

"The Baptist Church wants to buy my house and I said no," said Flora Craft, a 23-year resident of West U. The fragile elderly woman stood at the podium at Monday night's meeting and publicly asked the city manager why he called and left her a message. She repeatedly asked him why he wants to talk to her.

"I stayed in that house since the day I arrived from the Philippines, and I want to stay there until I die," said Craft.

City Manager Michael Ross said, "We would never use eminent domain. We would never use that on anyone's home on this block."

West University's city leadership also cleared up confusion, saying they will not demolish or relocate the public library, the senior center or the community center as part of the super block plan.

"They back-pedaled tonight," said resident Heidi Dugan. "What they were proposing and said they never proposed -- that's just not true."

The city will hold two town hall meetings next Monday, scheduled for 2-6:30pm.