News Story

Sugar Land City Council approved a $13.9 million construction contract for drainage improvements in Austin Park and Chimneystone.

The project was part of four general obligation bond propositions totaling $90.76 million decisively approved by Sugar Land voters on Nov. 5, 2019.  The projects included in the propositions were selected based on extensive planning through various master plans, City Council input and the results of citizen satisfaction surveys that indicated drainage, public safety and traffic/mobility are the top three priorities for residents.

More than $47 million was approved for drainage improvements, including the Austin Park and Chimneystone project that is expected to begin in December and should be finished by the fall of 2026.

“A drainage study was completed after Hurricane Harvey in 2018 for areas of the Austin Park, Settlers Grove and Chimneystone subdivisions,” said City Engineer Jessie Li.  “These areas regularly experience excessive street ponding during major storm events, and some homes experienced structure flooding during Hurricane Harvey. The study identified multiple areas that far exceeded the city’s performance criteria established by the Master Drainage Plan, and they have been programmed in the capital improvement program. 

“The Settlers Park Drainage Improvements Project has been completed. We’re now ready to begin construction for Austin Park and Chimneystone. These projects will reduce structure flooding risks and reduce the ponding depths and durations during major rain events.”

City staff obtained a 30-year zero interest loan from the Texas Water Development Board for design and construction. Based on current interest rates, the loan could save taxpayers as much as $7.6 million. 

The project scope of work includes the following items:

• A large-capacity storm water pipe will be added between Ditch A and the Acacia Drive storm sewer outfall.
• Larger storm sewers will be installed along Acacia Drive.
• A second storm water sewer pipe will be constructed between the Acacia Drive storm sewer outfall and Austin Parkway.
• A drainage channel will be installed between Austin Parkway and Thistlewood Drive. 

Updates to residents during construction will include DMS signs (as needed), homeowner association notifications, website updates and social media posts. 

Visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/CIPStoryMap for updates on capital improvement projects or www.sugarlandtx.gov/NotifyMe to sign up for notifications about road closures and service interruptions caused by city construction and maintenance projects. 

For more information about the 2019 bond election, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/GObonds.