Item, Houstonian: HSU No Longer Interested In Army Reserve Property

Both the Item and Houstonian have coverage of the surprise announcement, released yesterday:

"Sam Houston State University is no longer interested in acquiring the Army Reserve property and will find an alternative solution to serve our ROTC and Veterans Affairs programs."

Thus the Item:

Gibson released a statement midday Monday that the university would find an alternative solution for its ROTC and Veterans Affairs programs. She and other SHSU officials declined to comment on their decision after an almost three-month contest with the city of Huntsville and the buyer of the property, Tarek Maalouf.

Thus the Houstonian:

The 2.5-acre site was the source of recent controversy due to SHSU’s apparent steps to condemn, or eminent domain, the former Army Reserve building on Sam Houston Avenue.

The dispute rapidly shifted from behind closed doors and into the public eye due in large part to Maalouf’s “Eminent Doom” campaign, consisting of yard signs and an accompanying Facebook page advocating on Maalouf’s behalf. Maalouf and Gibson also each penned letters published in the Houstonian and the Huntsville Item outlining their positions on the impasse.