Attorney Tony Buzbee on Thursday notified the City of Friendswood that he is dropping plans that he first presented to the city council in 2007 to "redevelop, revitalize and beautify the old part of Friendswood". Letter
Buzbee said Buzbee Properties, Inc. has spent more than $12 million acquiring properties and cleaning and removing "old eyesores" along Friendswood Drive, but the city would not approve ordinances and permits to facilitate the development.
"BPI simply cannot wait as people with authority decide upon their 'whim' to put into place further costly requirements, or decide to interpret grey rules as they see fit at the time, with no logic or understanding that such behavior costs someone a lot of money," Buzbee said, describing city staff as "condescending and usually rude".
Buzbee said he has decided that Friendswood is not interested in development.
Excluding Frank Manigold and Karen Capps from his criticism, Buzbee suggested that the city needs "a wholesale changing of the guard" beginning immediately with City Manager Bo McDaniel.
"Life is too short; our team has had enough," Buzbee said. "It is now time to cut our losses and focus elsewhere."
Friendswood City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, February 27 to discuss Buzbee's letter.