The Highland Village Community Development Corporation voted to fund an immediate Phase 1 of erosion-control and landscape repairs along the FM 2499 tunnel slope.

Parks staff described persistent erosion where storm drains and a steep slope above the tunnel have repeatedly washed mud onto the City Trail, creating maintenance burdens and safety hazards for trail users. Staff proposed a three-phase renovation of the slope using riprap and Colorado River rock in the worst areas, new irrigation in level spots, and new planting beds to improve aesthetics and reduce ongoing washouts.

For Phase 1 this fall, parks staff estimated $12,000 for targeted work on the worst washout areas: $9,000 for riprap/Colorado River rock, $500 for erosion-control fabric and $2,500 for equipment rental. The CDC motioned, seconded and approved Phase 1 funding at the Oct. 23 meeting. The board recorded the motion and approved the recommendation to proceed; because the requested amount is below the city’s $50,000 council threshold staff noted the CDC could authorize the work directly.

Staff said subsequent Phase 2 and Phase 3 work would be budgeted over the next two years and are currently estimated around $15,000 each year to complete the slope renovation, new irrigation, and plantings to make the area more resilient.

Parks staff said in-house crews will perform much of the work to save costs but acknowledged labor and scheduling constraints and said completion of the entire slope will be phased in across multiple seasons.