Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cip Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harris Street concrete poured; East Side drainage easements progress and Westpark Tollway feasibility study begins
Summary
Staff reported that concrete pour work began on phase 1 of Harris Street, easement negotiations advanced for a downtown East Side drainage project, and a feasibility study to evaluate lowering the Westpark Tollway beneath FM 359 has begun with Gannett Fleming on a roughly 90‑day schedule.
EDC staff provided project updates during the Aug. 11 meeting:
- Harris Street sanitary sewer/road project: staff reported that concrete was poured on the first lane of phase 1 (from FM 1093 to near Second Street). Staff said the concrete must cure—approximately five days—before crews remove forms and pour the second lane.
- Downtown East Side drainage: staff reported successful negotiations on at least one easement and that design adjustments are underway to address a conflict box. Staff said work is proceeding at the pace of TxDOT coordination.
- Westpark Tollway feasibility study: staff said the EDC-funded feasibility study to assess lowering the Westpark Tollway beneath FM 359 (instead of an overpass) officially began after a 60-day waiting/cool-off period; notice to proceed was issued in late July or around Aug. 1. The consultant Gannett Fleming will study drainage options and whether a pump would be required; staff estimated the study timeline at about 90 days and said the first check-in with Gannett Fleming was scheduled for the Friday following the meeting.
Staff also said they had scheduled outreach with Retail Strategies and were preparing for retail recruitment events, referenced an ICSC Vegas recap and an upcoming retail live event in Austin. The transcript shows staff updating the board about the Folsshear Folly event and Folger Central groundbreaking as well.
