The Latest on Country Club Drive Harvey-Damaged Homes

Several homes around the Frisch Auf golf course that Fayette County condemned after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 remain standing almost six years after the flood.

The County intends to demolish the homes and convert the low-lying properties into green space for perpetuity. The County used grant funds from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to purchased five of the homes, and two of those homes have been demolished. Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Angela Hahn said demolition contractors are waiting for Centerpoint Energy to cap natural gas lines going to the remaining three homes.

“We thought the gas was going to be killed by May 8,” Hahn said. “There’s a payment process, and we have to pay to have it killed. That was no big deal, it was like $300. (Centerpoint) wanted us to pay it online, but the County can’t do that. We had to send them a check. It took a while, and that has finally been taken care of. They put a rush order on the kill gas request. Once that’s done, contractor can demolish those three homes.”

That leaves two homes that are still awaiting buyout funds. Hahn said the County’s buyout consultant had trouble tracking down one of the homeowners. The other homeowner appealed their appraisal, Hahn said.

“The one who appealed the appraisal did get an appraisal in their favor, and they’re ready to close,” Hahn said.

However, Hahn said a recent change in leadership at the GLO has led to another delay. Former Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush left office after his failed election campaign for Texas Attorney General last year. Dawn Buckingham won the election to become the new Land Commissioner, and she took office on Jan. 1.

“The GLO has a new leader and they are completely revamping their process and everything is on hold,” Hahn said. “We’re waiting on the money.”