by Cody Neathery
Special Contributor
Texas A&M University has released a statement explaining why they may be seeking eminent domain (as a last resort) to elbow out The Elbow Room: to protect the taxpayers of Texas and help eliminate the shortage of dental care providers in the state… yeah, there is a shortage, they say:
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY STATEMENT REGARDING COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY EMINENT DOMAIN
As a public institution, we are committed to serving Texans and making judicious use of the money we receive from taxpayers. This has been our guiding philosophy throughout our negotiations regarding the property currently occupied by the Elbow Room.
The expansion of our dental school, which was approved by the Legislature in 2015, will enable us to better serve Texans, especially those in need, in the Dallas region and beyond. As a result of these new facilities, our capacity for patient visits, which currently number approximately 100,000 per year, is expected to increase by up to 40 percent. Additionally, there is a shortage of dental health care providers in the state of Texas. Our goal in increasing the dental school’s enrollment is to train more dentists while maintaining our position as the nation’s most diverse dental school, so that we can close the dental health care gap and ensure that Texas residents have access to the best and brightest oral health professionals in their own communities throughout the state.
In January, conscious of the importance of protecting the taxpayers who support us, we began negotiations with the property owner. We believed and continue to believe that an offer of fair market value would be fair to the property owner and consistent with our obligations to Texans.
The appraiser chosen by the property owner actually came in lower than our appraiser’s value. We offered to pay the higher of the two. Unfortunately, our offer was not accepted.
When the property owner demanded significantly more than the appraisals could justify, we were duty-bound to reluctantly explore eminent domain, a last resort option.
As for the tenants who operate the Elbow Room under a lease, we recognize that this puts them in a difficult position and have offered to pay reasonable relocation expenses should they decide to move their bar. In addition, we have promised to give them adequate notice before any move would be necessary.
As this matter moves through the legal process, it is important not to lose sight of the public need and the public good that can be accomplished with the expansion of the dental school. Thousands of Texans will benefit for generations to come.
Thank you.
