BY MELISSA ENAJE
A closer look
The framework
The $32 million in funding to improve Poor Farm Ditch was secured from multiple entities, including federal and state funding, two cities and one county. “We’re getting a massive project with very little expense on our part,” council member John Barnes said. “The money that’s going to be put in by the city of West University Place is not going to be passed onto taxpayers—it’s already paid for.”
West U o cials budgeted $200,000 for project enhancements at several infrastructure points, such as replacing the pedestrian bridge that runs through both Southside Place and West University. The plan includes adding root barriers along Virginia Court to support future city trees or landscaping, Leech said. This includes an approved plant list that has minimal impact on the ditch’s structure. In most locations after construction, HCFCD will install a 6-foot permanent chain-link fence along the channel limits to secure access,
according to City Council agenda documents. Some locations will also have a maintenance walkway inside the fence. Homeowners may be allowed to reinstall a fence after construction, Leech said, but they must negotiate directly with HCFCD on a case-by-case basis. Any approval on county property will come from an agreement between both parties, he said. If HCFCD needs access to project areas in the future, the homeowner must remove the fence at their own expense, he said, and cannot block access.
The cost
Total $32.8M
State of Texas: $16.9M Federal funding: $9.9M
What to expect during the estimated 2 4 year construction timeframe City ocials will also provide project updates at City Council meetings, council member John Barnes said.
Harris County Flood Control District: $5.7M West University Place: $150K Southside Place: $150K
Temporary fencing to be installed along work zone
Trees, shrubs and garden beds to be removed as needed
Potential location for a construction access point
City ocials to watch where worker vehicles are parked
SOURCE: WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Timeline of events
The timeline
2004: Harris County Flood Control District rst conducts study on Poor Farm Ditch
2015: HCFCD noti es Southside Place and West U about design funding being identi ed
2017: Hurricane Harvey damage reassigns Poor Farm Ditch construction funding
2018: Harris County Commissioners Court authorizes funding support with state grant
Emily Woodell, HCFCD chief external a airs ocer, said the project design for Poor Farm Ditch is complete, with bids for potential contractors opening in February. Construction is anticipated to start in early summer and occur in 500-foot segments to minimize impact to residents. Woodell said the entire project is set to be completed by 2030.
2000
2010
2020
2030
2019: HCFCD puts project on hold
2021: Harris County approves the completion of the Poor Farm Ditch project design and construction stages
2023: Full project funding secured
2026: Construction to begin
2030: Project completion date
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, U.S. REP. LIZZIE FLETCHER, WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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