Acquiring Condemned Lots Back From The City

[Masha Rizzi]

Does anyone have experience acquiring land that the city has purchased/condemned?

Back story:
I live in Houston and have a property (primary home) that is 2.5 lots on top of a hill. It's right on the edge of the bayou and in a flood zone (but no flooding because it's literally at the top point of the hill). The hill is also at the end of the street - so essentially my property is kind of like an island on its own with just my lot and surrounding vacant lots.

The 2-3 properties lower on the hill were condemned for flooding and acquired by the city several years back. They've since removed the structures as well so they're just vacant lots. 

After acquiring those lots, the city talked about plans to build a parking lot for a nearby park there. The civic club of the neighborhood fought it so no parking lot was built. Ideally, we don't want a parking lot or anything built right next door to us in the future.

So that brings me to my question: Has anyone purchased lots from the city that have been condemned? We don't have intention to build anything on them due to flooding, just want to avoid parking lots (etc) being built there by the city (so us taking ownership). Any tips on the process ? Is there even a process in place ?

[Jared Hottle]

I have not had experience with this but have inquired about them with a city in the past. In my experience being respectful and following the laws of how to win friends and influence people will help immensely. Secondly, brainstorm ways to make the lots better "highest and best use" then what they are currently or what they are ask parking lots. Can you make it a greenspace or a park or work with the city or other organizations to make it a park? I think having a plan other than just wanting it to stay empty lots will help.