By Cheryl Skinner

After several resets and delays it appeared last month a jury would be seated and officials with the city of Missouri City and representatives of the golf course  were preparing to state their case in court. However, Judge Sandy Bielstein fell ill last month when the trial was due to begin. Last week, the city received notification the latest trial date has been rescheduled for May and will once again prepare for their day in court.

Barbara Brescian, Director of Communications for the city of Missouri City, said Friday the court had notified the city that the trial date had been reset to May 25, at 1:30 p.m.

The lawsuit stems from the condemnation of the golf course in 2008. The city filed a condemnation proceeding to take 392 acres of golf course property - two 18-hole and two 9-hole courses, a club house, maintenance building and driving range - from Quail Valley Country Club, owned by Renaissance Golf Group LLC.

In 2008, Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 4 Judge Bielstein appointed three special commissioners in the case, who determined that fair market value of the acreage was $3.1 million. The city deposited $3.1 million with the Fort Bend County Clerk’s office.

Bielstein has ruled that the city had the right to take the property by eminent domain, although the original owners claimed the city did not have that right. They are also seeking more than the amount set aside to pay for the property.

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