Stafford EDC and city staff report progress on 2023 drainage project, discuss street repair fund and Island District redevelopment

City public works staff and EDC members on May 27 outlined progress on the 2023 Stafford drainage project and discussed a broader approach to street repairs and Island District redevelopment that would combine short-term maintenance and long-term land acquisition strategies.

Why it matters: the city is funding a sizable drainage overhaul and is weighing how to structure ongoing street maintenance and larger redevelopment efforts that could shape commercial investment and sales-tax revenue in Stafford.

Drainage project update

The city’s preliminary engineering work is underway for the 2023 Stafford Drainage Project, staff said. Work reported included a pipe investigation of an older drainage line between Corporate Park and the fountains, geotechnical testing of soils for berm removal to expand pond storage, and preliminary design work for Corporate Park and the Fountain area. Staff said the pump station replacement remains in preliminary design and that the Ditch 118 corridor (between Cache and Mueller Road) will be surveyed and designed next. When design work is finished, the project will go to bid and a construction contract will be awarded by council; Jones Engineering will manage the contract during construction.

Street repairs and the proposed "big bucket"

EDC members and staff discussed whether to expand the 2025 General Street Repair Project beyond the current list of streets. Staff described a proposal to create a multi-year, recurring allocation — a "big bucket" — for street rehabilitation and maintenance, allowing the EDC and council to address needs as they arise rather than labeling projects street-by-street in advance. Staff cautioned that maintenance requirements and funding replenishment should be considered when setting a fund level, and said some repairs (for example, where concrete panels have failed) require full-panel removal and concrete replacement rather than asphalt patching.

Several board members noted heavy truck traffic on West Airport and adjacent thoroughfares near the industrial grid, and discussed coordinating with the local tax increment/authority board (TIRZ or similar) to seek contribution for repairs to streets that their development traffic has affected. Staff said the authority rebated much of the taxes to developers but that a presentation to the authority board could explore assistance for adjacent street repair.

Island District redevelopment

EDC members and staff debated short-term sidewalk and streetscape improvements versus a longer-term strategy of land acquisition and land-banking to assemble parcels in the Island District for redevelopment. Staff and board members agreed that much of the Island comprises many small, "postage-stamp" lots that do not meet current zoning for modern commercial uses; several speakers said the city/EDC should set aside funds to purchase and consolidate properties, then use long-term ground leases rather than selling parcels outright so the city retains ownership and future leverage.

Staff recommended that public works and planning prepare a scope-of-work and a map identifying priority streets and parcels that would yield the highest redevelopment value, so the EDC can evaluate funding options during the next budget cycle. Board members suggested involving Planning & Zoning and possibly doing land banking in phases; they also discussed constraints and community sensitivity about acquiring occupied parcels.

Clarifying details

- Drainage preliminary work: pipe investigations, geotechnical testing, and preliminary designs for Corporate Park/fountains; Ditch 118 design moving from Cache and Mueller Road toward West Airport. - Street fund concept: a recurring "big bucket" to be sized after reviewing annual surplus/income and budget commitments; no dollar figure was adopted. - Island District approach: recommendation to research land-banking, long-term ground leases, and a prioritized parcel map; staff to provide cost and procedural options, including consultation with city attorney on acquisition mechanisms.

Ending

Board members asked staff to produce options and cost estimates for inclusion in upcoming budget discussions and to coordinate with Planning & Zoning and the authority board where appropriate. The EDC will revisit the matter at a future meeting with more detailed scopes and financial estimates.