West University Place schedules public meeting ahead of major drainage project planned for January

The city of West University Place is planning a public town hall meeting for Aug. 29 as design work nears an end on a major drainage project encompassing several streets on the east side of the city.

Design workers hit a milestone of 75% completion in July, and construction on the project could start in January, according to an Aug. 11 news release from the city. West University Place City Council approved the design work in December at a cost of $1.2 million.

The work will be divided into two packages to avoid having various parts of the city under construction at the same time, according to city information.

The first package involves paving and drainage upgrades along University Boulevard between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive. The second package involves upgrades along Wakeforest Avenue between Plumb and Pemberton streets,; on Rive Avenue between Wakeforest and Kirby drives, and on Duke Street between Buffalo Speedway and Wakeforest.

The project emerged as a recommendation in the City Wide Drainage and Model Study released in 2021. The study found the city's drainage system east of Buffalo Speedway unable to handle a two-year storm event. The improvements are designed to be able to handle a 10-year storm event at minimum and provide at least 50 years of service.

The Aug. 29 town hall will run from 6-8 p.m. During the event, city staff will give a presentation on the project and take questions from attendees. The town hall will take place at the city's community building at 6104 Auden St., Houston.

The project is part of the city's capital improvement plan. At its July 25 meeting, the council approved a resolution to publish a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation for a number of projects, including $15.77 million for the drainage work.

More information can be found here.