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Friendswood engineers outline multiple drainage projects, warn of grant rules and property constraints
Summary
City engineers updated council on several flood-control projects—including a regional detention basin, local detention ponds and interlocal talks with drainage districts—and warned that federal and state grant restrictions complicate conveyance of city-owned buyout parcels.
City engineering staff told the Friendswood City Council on Jan. 6 that several multi-agency drainage projects are advancing but face legal and funding constraints that could delay construction and increase local obligations.
Director of Engineering Hill Ards reported progress on multiple fronts: bids are being evaluated for the Clear Creek utility rack relocation project and staff expects an award; contractors will begin work on the City Center detention ponds’ clay lining after major excavation; the Deepwood Flood Control project was rebid after receiving only one response; and the French River regional stormwater detention basin project has rough grading underway and remains a multiagency effort involving Galveston County, the Galveston County Drainage District, Harris County Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Ards said the French River project’s estimated total cost has varied in planning documents, but the city’s current obligation was discussed at about $8 million in preliminary planning materials. He added that…
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