Sugar Land approves $512,513 design contract for Windmill drainage modifications

The Sugar Land City Council on Aug. 5 authorized a $512,513 contract with Half Associates Inc. for design services on the Windmill drainage modifications project, part of CIP CDR 25-04. Assistant City Engineer Robert Wilson told council the work follows a 2018 drainage study of Austin Park, Settlers Grove and Chimney Stone that identified channel improvements and neighborhood storm connections after flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Wilson said Phase 1 (the Austin Park/Chimney Stone channel) is under construction and Phase 2 includes the neighborhood connection now in design. Wilson said the consultant selection followed city policy PU-109, with 22 RFQ submittals and interviews of the top six firms; Half Associates was selected for its drainage design experience. He described the design scope to include project management, 30/60/90 percent and final submittals, bid-phase services and additional tasks such as survey, geotechnical, hydraulic analysis and traffic control. Wilson said staff will coordinate with homeowners associations, Fort Bend Levee District No. 2 and Fort Bend ISD during design. On funding and schedule, staff said $775,000 is available in CIP CDR 25-04; the $512,513 contract covers the professional design phase. Council Member Singhal asked whether the remainder is sufficient for construction; staff said the 2026 budget proposes roughly $5.3 million for construction of the phase beyond design. Council Member Jacobson moved approval; Council Member Whatley seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Staff anticipates design completion in March 2026 and construction beginning around June 2026 with about a one-year construction duration.