New documents provide update on several Harris County flood projects
On Friday, May 1, Harris County commissioners received an update from the Harris County Flood Control District on projects tied to nearly a billion dollars in flood mitigation funding. 11 of the projects in the report, with a price tag of about $320 million, have a deadline of Feb. 28, 2027.
However, the documents show six of them won't be finished until after that date. According to the report, one project won't be finished until March 2028.
If the projects aren't completed on time, the Texas General Land Office told ABC13 the county could be required to repay the federal government.
Here are the projects:
- Genoa Red Bluff Regional SWDB
- East TC Jester SWDB
- Kluge SWDB
- Greens Bayou Midreach Channel Conveyance Improvements
- Isom SWDB
- Dinner Creek SWDB
'That's horrific': neighbors react to the new report
Suzanne Pedrick lives near the Kluge stormwater detention basin project.
"A number of years ago, we had so much flooding, we were flooded into our street for days at a time," Pedrick recalled.
The flood control district said the detention basin would help with this issue by creating a giant hole to store stormwater. To complete it, the documents show $25 million is needed from the federal government.
Despite the looming deadline, Pedrick said she hasn't seen any movement.
"My husband and I come walking by here every day, and I have not seen any activity," Pedrick explained.
If it's not finished by February and money is lost, Pedrick worries it would mean a lot to a neighborhood that's been looking forward to the project.
"That's horrific," Pedrick said. "I mean, that's what the funding's there for. It's put in place for a reason, and it should be utilized. If it's lost, it's a real shame to the entire community."
Flood control district officials push for an extension
Harris County Flood Control District Chief External Affairs Officer Emily Woodell said the contract regarding the federal funds was signed in late 2023, adding that the money didn't arrive until the following summer.
"This isn't just cash that hits your bank account, and you're immediately able to hit the ground running," Woodell explained.
Since then, she said the agency has been moving more quickly than normal on the 11 projects to meet the deadline.
"When we went into this agreement, we knew that these timelines were tight," Woodell said.
Knowing they may not meet the February 2027 deadline for many of the projects, Woodell said they're asking the federal government for more time.
"What we're currently focused on is an additional nine-month extension," Woodell explained. "That's really the time that we're looking at. If we are granted that nine-month extension, all of our projects will be completed in that time."
According to the report, one project needs more time than that. Woodell said they're racing to speed up the process.
"We asked the contractors, 'How can you do this work in a shorter amount of time?' They're scored based on that," Woodell said. "That's another way we have to expedite this work."
While the flood control district may want an extension, there's no guarantee it will come.
A statement from the Texas General Land Office to ABC13 said the federal government already gave the county an extension: "HUD warned the GLO no further extensions will be approved. Only HUD can determine whether additional extensions can be granted for their funding."
The agency went on to say: "Failure to meet HUD's deadline could result in a multitude of HUD decisions, including partial or full recapture of the grant funds."
Mixed reaction by commissioners court over the report
Judge Lina Hidalgo wasn't pleased with the report.
In a statement to ABC13, she said in part, "For months, I suspected that our federally funded flood control projects were dangerously behind schedule. After many requests, both public and private, I am finally receiving the report I requested. Unfortunately, it confirms what I suspected. What's missing in this report is a clear explanation of the obstacles to meeting the deadlines and which of those are within our control."
While she's concerned about the projects' future, Commissioner Adrian Garcia had a different reaction to the report.
In a statement to ABC13, he said in part, "Flood Control has been clear from the outset - meeting spending deadlines that were set before Harris County ever received any funds would necessitate an appeal for an extension. Under the leadership of Dr. Tina Petersen, HCFCD has done an excellent job getting projects moving as quickly as possible."
As far as getting work done on the six projects, Woodell said right now, no dirt is being moved. She told ABC13 that it'll change by the end of June.