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Everman unveils $37.7M drainage study and $9.3M Safe Streets grant application
Summary
City Manager Craig Spencer presented a master drainage study estimating about $37.7 million in mitigation work, proposed a 5–10 year drainage CIP and described an RTC‑recommended $7.4 million Safe Streets grant that would be part of a roughly $9.3 million project to build sidewalks and shared‑use paths.
At the town hall, City Manager Craig Spencer outlined infrastructure priorities after a multi‑year drainage master study. The study identified four major problem areas and estimated total mitigation costs of about $37.7 million. Spencer said the county assisted with grant applications and the city now has the engineering data needed to pursue state and federal mitigation funds.
Spencer said the next steps include creating a drainage capital improvement plan (CIP) across a 5‑ to 10‑year horizon and identifying funding options such as bonds, grants and possibly a stormwater utility fee. He described a proposed study to evaluate a stormwater utility fee — a charge assessed on water bills and held in a restricted fund to pay for CIP projects — and said the council intends substantial citizen input before any decision; he estimated council would contemplate the fee in roughly 7–8 months.
In related transportation work, Spencer announced the Everman Safe Streets Project: the Regional Transportation Council and COG recommended $7.4 million in funding toward a project with a total estimated cost of approximately $9.3 million to build a network of sidewalks and shared‑use paths from Pittman Park to Everman High School and along key corridors to improve pedestrian safety for children. He said the RTC is also advancing a larger Forest Hill Drive widening and bridge replacement project using roughly $30 million in federal funds that would include stormwater improvements and could reduce Everman’s drainage funding gap by about $13 million.
Why it matters: The drainage and street projects address flooding risk, pedestrian safety and traffic congestion tied to rapid regional growth; funding choices (bonds, grants, stormwater fee) will have fiscal and equity implications for residents.
Next steps: Staff will develop a drainage CIP, study a stormwater utility fee with public input, and continue grant applications for mitigation and Safe Streets funding.
