“As the bond development process was coming to an end, the staff brought nine projects to the EDC that they were eligible to fund to pull [from] the 2023 bond list. ... Over the last year, we've moved forward with all nine of those projects getting approval for design and ultimately moving forward now with construction funding for these projects,” said Scott McClelland, assistant transportation and capital improvements director.
A closer look
The New Braunfels Youth Collaborative has received $1.5 million toward renovations of the gymnasium formerly known as the New Braunfels ISD Education Center, located at 407 West Mill St. The renovated gym will serve as a recreational space for the Mill Street Youth Center. The project includes:
- New flooring
- A new HVAC unit
- Paint
- Replacing fixtures and finishes
- Roof repairs
- Upgrades to meet Americans with Disabilities Act
The Castell Avenue Phase 1 Coll Street Drainage Improvement Project has received $7.2 million in funding from the EDC. The drainage project will make improvements to the storm drain system on Coll Street between Castell Avenue and the Comal River, according to a news release.
The design of the project is anticipated to be completed in late 2025, and construction will take about 18 months, according to McClelland.
"This is an area that definitely has flooding issues that need to be addressed, and we've been talking about the South Castell Master Plan for years," New Braunfels Mayor Neal Linnartz said. "And hopefully we're getting very close to the point we'll be able to develop that property, but we won't be able to do that without the drainage improvements."
Zooming in
The Common Street Improvement Project received $700,000 from the EDC. The project will improve pedestrian connectivity between neighborhoods, city parks, the New Braunfels Public Library, Lamar Elementary School and the Comal County Fairgrounds by enhancing pedestrian mobility and safety.
"This project, as I told the EDC, really connects several other city projects and initiatives that we're working on right now," McClelland said.
The improvements include new sidewalks and curb ramps on Common Street between South Liberty Street and Loop 337. Protected pedestrian crossings at key intersections will also be funded. The funding contributed by the EDC represents 20% of the total cost of the project; the other 80% will be provided by the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Alternatives Program, according to a news release.
"I would just like to say thanks to the EDC for helping fund this and many other projects, including the park a couple of weeks ago," District 4 council member Lawrence Spradley said. "I think this is a fantastic use of public money to be able to fund public infrastructure projects that include the city overall."
More information about ongoing projects can be found at www.newbranfels.gov.
