Political turf war emerging as UT expands Houston footprint, UH objects

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Within the Lone Star State's largest city, a major turf war is gaining steam.

It started back in November when some 332 highly sought acres found a surprise buyer in the deep pocketed University of Texas System.

With the property located just off the West Loop near NRG stadium and the old Astroworld grounds, the estimated $450 million land deal is being viewed as an act of academic aggression by supporters of the University of Houston.

"I consider it an invasion," says former UH regent and legendary local developer Welcome Wilson Sr. He calls UT an uninvited "800 pound gorilla" looking to carve off a share of students and research dollars at the expense of an existing state supported institution.

"The idea of duplicating services and competing with each other just makes no sense for the taxpayers," said Wilson.

Speaking for the UT System, Chancellor Bill McRaven envisions a thriving research center on the property and has assured angry Houston lawmakers he doesn't covet UH students or plan to launch a branch campus.

Rice political analyst Mark Jones believes UT's primary goal is the billions of worth of bio-medical and energy development funding that pour into the Bayou City.

If that's the case, Houston lawmakers may be unable to block the UT expansion by appealing to the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board 

"If UT were going to offer classes that's something the Coordinating Board as well legislators like Senator (John) Whitmire and Representative (Garnet) Coleman could probably block, but it's going to be tougher if UT is going to use all its own resources and do things that are going to provide benefits for industry and the community," said Jones.

In response to a request for comment from Fox 26 the UT System issued the following statement: