Tomball City Council held a public hearing March 16 on a proposed drainage grant application for the Hampton Place area, while city staff also provided an update on a separate drainage project tied to Lizzie Lane that could head to bid next month.
What happened
The public hearing was required as part of the city’s application to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Texas Community Development Block Grant program. City staff said the Hampton Place project is currently in design and is part of the city’s broader effort to address drainage needs in older areas.
During the hearing, one resident, Samuel Shannon, voiced in a written statement concerns about ongoing flooding concerns near Lizzie Lane. Shannon said previous grant-funded work had taken place around the area but not directly on Lizzie Lane, and he urged city officials to keep the street in mind for future improvements.
In response, city staff said a separate Lizzie Lane drainage project is already moving forward. Staff said the project is in design, and is expected to go out for bid in mid-April and could begin construction in May or June.
Public Works Director Drew Huffman said the Lizzie Lane work would include widening and deepening the drainage channel to improve water flow. Staff also said an outfall still needs to be created as part of the project.
What they’re saying
City officials said the Hampton Place grant discussion and the Lizzie Lane drainage work are separate efforts, although both are tied to the city’s long-term drainage planning.
Staff also said officials are looking at future off-system road grant opportunities that could help with roadway improvements along Lizzie Lane, which they said is too narrow.
Looking ahead
The Hampton Place project remains in the grant application stage, while the Lizzie Lane drainage project is expected to move closer to construction this spring.
