Cedar Park’s 'highest-priority' stormwater project to begin work in 2022

Construction is estimated to begin in fall 2022 on a major Cedar Park stormwater project—the Block House Creek channelization.

Cedar Park City Council approved a $7.5 million cost-share agreement for the project Sept. 2 with the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control & Improvement District. The UBCWCID includes areas from Hutto to Leander and manages over 20 dams, according to the district.

This project is the highest-priority project in the city’s stormwater plan, Assistant City Manager Sam Roberts said to the council Sept. 2. The project was initially planned in phases because of limited funds, but the cost-share agreement solves that issue, Roberts said.

The project will widen the creek as it goes through Peggy Garner Park, which is near Bell Boulevard and New Hope Drive. Roberts said it will also remove several homes from the city’s 100-year floodplain.

The city will pay for its portion of up to $1.5 million, or 20%, through the voter-approved reallocated sales tax. The UBCWCID will pay for its portion of up to $6 million through its 2020 voter-approved bond.

The city will own, operate and maintain the project, and the district will reimburse the city on a monthly basis, Roberts said. The WCID is funded through ad valorem property taxes.

In July, U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, and Cedar Park Mayor Corbin Van Arsdale announced the Ranchettes 2 and 3 Central drainage project could receive federal funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, pending House approval.