South site of Poor Farm Ditch begins to transform amid ongoing reconstruction

Officials are making progress on the reconstruction of Poor Farm Ditch, Public Works director Michael Leech confirmed in a Sept. 28 update presentation to West University Place City Council.

How it started

The Poor Farm Ditch project aims to replace depleted concrete lining along the human-made channel between University Boulevard and Bellaire Boulevard. The reconstruction project also targets widening and deepening the ditch to increase stormwater capacity and restore it to its original 1950s design.

City and county officials broke ground on the project in July following a series of historical studies on the stormwater conveyance channel, in addition to design work that went as far back as 2015, Community Impact previously reported.

The waterway in its entirety flows from the south end of Greenway Plaza to Brays Bayou, running through the cities of Houston, West University Place and Southside Place.

With the project costing $32 million, the Harris County Flood Control District is collaborating with the affected communities to complete the project in approximately four years.

How it’s going

Leech explained to the council that the project is separated into two phases: the southern portion of the channel, which spans from University Boulevard to Bellaire Boulevard, and the northern portion, which spans from Rice Boulevard to Bissonnet Street.

Per the meeting presentation, reconstruction related to the southern portion is ongoing and was recently slowed due to road paving repairs along Holcombe Boulevard. With work now resuming as normal, tasks underway include:

• Dirt excavation

• CenterPoint Energy’s installation of weather-resistant electricity poles adjacent to the Poor Farm Ditch

• An active, temporary water pump designed to push stormwater and excess dirt down the street in the event of rain/severe weather during reconstruction

Next steps for HCFCD’s work at the south site will focus on replacing the existing segment with an enlarged, concrete-lined channel or V-channel, according to agenda documents.

The northern portion, on the other hand, has undergone partial reconstruction on both its west and east sides, though some areas have yet to be addressed, Leech said.

HCFCD officials notably sealed a previously failing section of slope paving on the east side after concerns that it would fall into the ditch. The public works director said the applied sealant will act as a temporary but “structurally sound” solution until permanent repairs can be made.

As of Sept. 28, HCFCD has completed spot repairs on the west side of the north site. The extent of these repairs was not specified during the presentation.

What they’re saying

Additional contracts are currently in the works regarding construction maintenance work along the Poor Farm Ditch, specifically north of University Boulevard, per agenda documents.

Although a representative from HCFCD was not present at the meeting, the special purpose district reiterated its intent to issue the contracts in a statement included in the presentation.

“The Flood Control District still plans to issue a design contract later this year for additional maintenance,” the statement reads. “We are working with the county attorney’s office to confirm the scope of work that can be included in the project. Once we have more information, we will connect with West U to discuss the available options, next steps and anticipated timing.”

Leech concluded the update with reassurance that the project will continue to move forward despite brief pauses, as much work still remains.

“It’s making decent progress. We heard pretty good feedback from the residents in terms of responsiveness of [HCFCD] and their contractors being out there,” he said.