Friendswood to consider parkland suit tonight

Friendswood's City Council will consider taking action tonight on a $1.2 million lawsuit over the city's decision to back out of the purchase of 60 acres in Alvin.
Last year, Friendswood agreed to pay $2.5 million for the acreage near FM 528 and Mandale Road. As part of the contract, David Wight agreed to make more than $1 million in improvements to the property, but then the city ran into a couple of obstacles.
First a judge ruled that Friendswood could not issue certificates of obligation to pay for the land without voter approval. Then the city of Alvin turned down Friendswood's request to allow it to annex the land.
Finally, in September, the city notified Wight that it would not be buying the property. In the original contract, however, the city had agreed to pay $180,000 plus the cost of any improvements Wight made to the property if the deal fell apart.
Predictably, Wight filed suit in November, and tonight possible action is on the agenda of the Friendswood City Council after a closed door session.
The city council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Friendswood City Hall in council chambers, 910 S. Friendswood Drive.
See the full city council agenda.