TxDOT purchasing properties as plans to expand Interstate 45 move forward

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A fire that happened at an old, abandoned church on Monday on Houston's north side is now raising a lot of questions.

The Texas Department of Transportation confirmed they bought the property as they plan for the I-45 freeway expansion.

They said it's one of several dozen properties they've purchased along the freeway.

Those are properties city leaders said they want to see secured before they are eventually demolished.

TxDOT told ABC13 they're securing the properties they purchase with a fence as they work toward demolishing them.

ABC13 confirmed the agency is moving to demolish the abandoned church this week following the fire on Monday.

ABC13 reported yesterday that the church congregation moved out in April 2025, and the building has been sitting vacant for nearly a year.

Fire officials said there are signs that homeless people have been in and out of the building, and they believe someone may have started the fire to keep warm.

TxDOT officials said they didn't know unhoused people were breaching the property.

"As they condemn properties for the widening of our freeway, they have to be responsible for their properties," Mayor John Whitmire said.

TxDOT said they use fencing to secure the properties they're purchasing before they demolish them.

ABC13 asked TxDOT if they're considering adding patrols or security, and they told ABC13, "Yes."

On Tuesday afternoon, back at the site of the charred abandoned building, Eyewitness News noticed security cameras were now on-site.

"We have some work to do to work with TxDOT for the buildings they've condemned for the widening," Whitmire said.

When ABC13 asked TxDOT for the list of the 200 properties they said they've already purchased for the expansion of I-45, the agency said that ABC13 needed to submit an open records request.

ABC13 submitted the request and will bring you the information when they release it.

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