Federal funds may help with Cedar Park Ranchettes 2 and 3 drainage project

One Cedar Park drainage project could receive federal funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, according to a July 26 announcement from U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Mayor Corbin Van Arsdale.

The Ranchettes 2 and 3 Central drainage project is located along Monarch Drive between Cedar Park Drive and Lonestar Drive, according to the city. The project will build stormwater drainage infrastructure to direct water into Cluck Creek and resurface the road with a curb on both sides, according to the release. The project is expected to begin later in 2021.

Federal funds, which would come from the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, are dependent on U.S. House approval this fall, according to the release. Carter said in the release that he hopes to see the legislation signed into law soon.

“If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Central Texas weather is unpredictable, and our neighborhoods should not have to worry about their homes flooding every time it rains,” Carter said in the release. “I am glad I was able to include this funding in the Homeland [Security] Appropriations bill to improve the drainage facilities, hopefully giving the residents peace of mind."

The city will match $250,000 to the possible $750,000 in federal funding. Design work is underway.

"The city of Cedar Park is excited and grateful for this significant flood-control funding. Storm water drainage is important to our residents," Van Arsdale said in the release. "Our voters approved diverting some of our sales tax to flooding, and this $750,000 from the federal government really helps us leverage those sales tax dollars to lower the flooding risk for our residents.”

Cedar Park City Council approved a stormwater master plan in 2019 that ranks 18 project areas with known flooding issues. The plan is estimated to take 16-20 years to implement. Funds come from reallocated sales tax funds, which voters approved in 2018.

City staff recommended prioritizing funding for two neighborhood areas including Ranchettes 2 and 3 Central. In July 2019, the Ranchettes 2 and 3 project was estimated to total about $4 million.