GALVESTON – Galveston County will be able to file a lawsuit in response to the construction of a new hotel along the city’s Seawall should it be necessary.
The county’s commissioners court on July 30 voted to authorize the legal department to sue the developer of a planned Holiday Inn Express and Suites. Commissioners Darrell Apffel and Joe Giusti were the dissenters.
County Judge Mark Henry explained the act ensures not immediate direction but authorization to sue “in the future.” The item was discussed in closed session prior to the vote.
Galveston Co. Judge Mark Henry
Legal counsel representing developer Dennis Byrd addressed the commissioners court. Stephen G. “Steve” Schulz of the law firm Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP in Galveston said that he and his client met with the county engineer and U.S. Corps of Engineers.
“There’s no construction that’s going to take place before the Corps has done a review on the pilings of the building,” said Schulz.
Schulz added that he is open “to what the court decides is best.”