Residents urge Taylor council to keep MLK‑area land designated as parkland

During the citizens communications portion of the special called workshop on April 13, three residents urged the Taylor City Council to preserve a large city‑owned parcel on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as parkland.

Carrie Deanna (District 1) told the council she came to "bear witness" to make sure the council understood that the MLK property bounded by 1st, 2nd and Royal — about 16 acres discussed in the presentation — "was deeded to the city in 1996 to be Parkland" and that the community expects input on future use. She said a separate portion of the tract had been sold and that a proposed data center was a contested use.

Sarah Winters of 416 East 3rd Street backed Deanna’s comments and added, "properties owned by the city of Taylor isn't owned by y'all specifically to do what you want. It belongs to the people of Taylor, and any decisions that is being made by the city of Taylor for property that the city of Taylor owns is bound to the people of Taylor." Pamela Griffin also urged the council to "do the right thing" and maintain the buffer as parkland.

After public comments and staff presentation, the council announced it would convene in executive session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney) and 551.072 (deliberation regarding real property) to deliberate on city‑owned surplus properties. The council reconvened at 5:35 p.m. and reported that no actions were taken.

Residents asked for community input and for the council to honor the parcel’s deed restrictions as parkland; the transcript records the requests but does not show a public‑session decision on the parcel’s designation.