Demolition work on the site of Bellaire’s soon-to-be-built south detention basin is nearing completion, City Manager Sharon Citino confirmed in a Sept. 14 update.
The ongoing site work is among several construction-related tasks within the Cypress Ditch Regional Flood Mitigation Program, an initiative centered around improving the city’s overall drainage capabilities and reducing flooding during heavy rain events.
Taking a step back
The “Cypress Ditch” project started in September 2025 when city officials began planning its scope, methodology for expanding the ditch’s stormwater capacity and the locations for two new stormwater detention ponds slated to be constructed: south and north basins.
Then, after careful collaboration between the cities of Bellaire, Houston and the Harris County Flood Control District, program managers launched phase one of the project earlier this year, which focuses on the demolition, design and construction of the south basin.
The other two phases consist of projects categorized as either north basin projects or channel projects, according to prior reporting.
Back in August, officials confirmed that the concrete and asphalt removal process was well underway at the site. After completing this task, developers would be given the green light to demolish several buildings on the property, including the former Beechnut Street Car Wash.
The south detention basin parcel is located along Beechnut Street.
Current situation
At the Sept. 14 council meeting, Citino shared that all of the site’s former structures have been torn down, leaving only debris removal and final site clearing as the remaining tasks before construction can begin.
She added that since the project’s last update, privacy screening was installed along the site’s fence to ensure the safety and protection of the neighboring synagogue, Congregation Beth Yeshurun.
With the south basin’s design expected to be completed before the end of the year, a contract overseeing curb repairs around the section of the former car wash is currently in the works to make the property more open, Citino said.
“We’re just making sure the site is completely cleared. So, that is now going to be finishing up and we’ll be done with that portion of the project. And be moving on to digging some dirt,” Citino told city council. “It’s pretty exciting.”
What happens next?
In an email to Community Impact following the council meeting, Bellaire Community Relations Administrator Cheryl Bright confirmed that the estimated start date for construction of the south detention basin is early 2027.
