City of Pearland
A question for Tom Reid, mayor
Q: How is the city managing growth while still maintaining critical city services to residents? A: We’re going to have to hire more first responders, develop a plan where we’re more effective with our policing and have the resources to quickly get to problem areas.
Big decisions made in 2016
Renovation of City Hall complex The City Council approved a $6.1 million construction contract with Construction Masters of Houston Inc. to pursue renovations at City Hall and the City Hall annex. Total expenditures for the project are estimated at $6.98 million. The contract was approved in November, and construction began in December.
Expansion of Reflection Bay Water Reclamation facility The $47 million project broke ground in August and is slated for completion in 2019. The facility, which was built in 2003, will increase to a 4 million gallons-per-day capacity upon completion, up from 2 million gallons-per-day. The expansion includes odor control units, upgrades to the lift station and improved disinfection systems.
Tom Reid Library improvements The roof replacement at the library was completed in November, and the city will install a fiberoptic connection between the library and City Hall to improve internet connectivity.
Top issues for 2017
Complete road construction The city expects to break ground on five road construction projects around Pearland, totaling $55 million. The most expensive project slated for this year is the expansion of Hughes Ranch Road between Hwy. 288 and Cullen Boulevard. The city will also begin designing the expansion of Mykawa Road.
Surface water treatment plant The city expects to bid out portions of the new surface water treatment facility project this year, which will go up on the west side of Hwy. 288. In November, the Texas Water Development Board approved a $159.5 million loan to assist financing in the project. At total build-out, the facility will be able to pump up to 20 million gallons per day. The facility will produce half that much by 2022.
Expand Tom Reid Library An 8,174-square-foot expansion of the library is estimated to cost $4 million. A ground breaking is slated for early 2017. Funds were approved as part of a 2007 bond referendum.
City of Friendswood
A question for Kevin Holland, mayor
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2017? A: The council will continue to answer to the citizens, support what they’ve envisioned Friendswood to be, and we’ll keep moving that way just like we did in 2016.
Big decisions made in 2016
The 2015–16 Friendswood City Council, from left to right: Carl Gustafson, John Scott, Mike Foreman, Mayor Kevin Holland, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hill, Billy Enochs and Steve Rockey[/caption]
Friendswood Library renovations The library expanded by 6,000 square feet, which was used to accommodate the children and teen sections, new meeting spaces, more technology, additional parking and expanded outdoor amenities.
Updated water infrastructure The city began construction on two lift stations, contracted a design engineer for a third and began rehabilitating two water plants. The city completed construction on Lift Station No. 3 and will complete Water Plant No. 2 in early 2017.
Completed Lake Friendswood After more than two decades of false starts, the city finally completed Lake Friendswood Park, turning what was once a sandpit into a local attraction. The city set aside $500,000 in bond funds, which were approved in 2013, to subsidize the park. Lake Friendswood Park includes walking trails, piers, a canoe launch and benches.
Top issues for 2017
Break ground on Blackhawk Boulevard reconstruction Voters approved reconstruction of the 50-year-old thoroughfare during the 2013 bond referendum. The city set aside $5.45 million in bond funds for the project, which is estimated to cost $8.6 million. City officials approved a design engineering contract and anticipates construction to start in fall 2017.
Build a dog park at Old City Park The city plans to begin construction on a pedestrian bridge from Stevenson to Old City parks, a dog park and walking trails between the parks to boost the city’s pedestrian- friendly amenities. The dog park was a pet project for local Life Scout Caden Fischer to become an Eagle Scout.
Complete construction of two fire stations Friendswood Fire Station No. 1 is slated for completion in May, and Fire Station No. 4 is slated for completion in March.
