Missouri City submits application for $5M in drainage projects

With an eye toward improving two drainage systems along McClain and Gregory boulevards as well as Pine Meadow Drive and Cravens Road, Missouri City officially authorized its support to receive approval from the General Land Office for $5 million in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funding.

Every year, the GLO issues funding to communities around the state for development projects; this year, Missouri City was approved for $5 million in funding, and set out earlier this year to identify and flesh out approved projects. The application submission to the GLO is the last step in the process before the city can move forward with the two projects that were originally reported in the March 7 Sugar Land-Missouri City edition of Community Impact.

“This is the most we’ve ever been allocated funding from the GLO,” Director of Public Works Shashi Kumar said. “We’ve been working very diligently with the [General] Land Office to ensure that all of our projects are in compliance.”

The first project, which runs from McLain Boulevard to Gregory Boulevard, costs $2.2 million and will address “critical ponding,” according to staff documents.

The second project, which runs from Pine Meadow Drive to Cravens Road, costs $2.8 million and will include ditch and storm sewer improvements, according to the same documents.

Together, the two projects are expected to reduce ponding and improve driver safety in a low- to median-income area, a key criteria of the application project.

Design and construction for both projects are expected to begin by October, once the application has been approved, Kumar said.

According to Council Member Jeffery Boney, Missouri City started with $2 million in funding, but has been able to increase that number to $5 million in allocated funding by working with the GLO.