Houston approves $19 M contract for Richmond Plaza paving, drainage project

Houston City Council approved just under $19 million for a contract with the construction company JTF Construction at a Dec. 14 meeting for drainage and paving improvements in the Richmond Plaza community.

Construction is expected to start in early 2023 on the project, which seeks to improve several streets in southwest Houston near the city of Bellaire, including parts of Alder Drive and Jessamine, Aspen, Huisache, Evergreen, Grand Lakes and Mapleridge streets.

Work will include the construction of storm drainage improvements, concrete paving, curbs, sidewalks, driveways and underground utilities in the targeted area. Work is designed to reduce the risk of structural flooding, according to language submitted with the agenda item.

Around $13.5 million of the contract will be funded with the city's Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Capital Fund, while $5.4 million will come from the Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund.

The item was first brought to the council at its Nov. 16 meeting, but District J Council Member Edward Pollard, who represents the area, delayed the vote. At the Dec. 14 meeting, Pollard said the delays were meant to give more time for community engagement and make adjustments to the scope of the project based on resident feedback.

The project is slated for completion around the summer of 2024.