Whether the city should enclose Poor Farm Ditch north of University Boulevard has circulated the community for more than 15 years, City Manager Dave Beach said. Council members moved one step closer to a solution after allocating $47,000 in December for a feasibility study that will take place in 2023.
“What this feasibility study provides is information to make an informed decision,” Beach said. “What we’re trying to get to is ‘Can it work? Can it be constructed, and if so, what’s the cost?’”
The feasibility study is broken into three phases, Beach said. The first phase will look into if the city can enclose the ditch and convey the necessary stormwater without causing any problems elsewhere.
West University Place was also approved by the city of Houston to extend its water system to residents that live along the 4100-4200 blocks of Law Street, Beach said.
“We don’t own the right of way in front of the house where we run the line; it’s still the city of Houston,” Beach said. “They’ll allow us to install a water line in the city of Houston right of way.”
Lastly, construction design was completed in 2022 for the street and drainage improvements along University Boulevard east of Buffalo Speedway. Construction will begin in early 2023.
The city of West University will also continue working on Phase 1 of its Facilities Master Plan to address the needs of city buildings, including a new public works campus and community center.
West University Place City Council members approved a design contract for a new 21,000-square-foot public works facility in May at the corner of Westpark Drive and Dincans Street, City Manager Dave Beach said. Design is expected to be completed in early 2023 with construction starting in the summer, he said.
While the long-range plan and final locations of the buildings have been approved by council members, Beach said the design contract for the community building/senior center/library will come back to the Council for approval in 2023.
“We’ll have another update coming to council of where we’re at in the design process because there were some discussions on energy efficiencies,” Beach said.
