The City is undertaking the Regional Drainage Infrastructure Program (RDIP) to address flooding concerns and support future development through comprehensive stormwater management. As part of this effort, improvements are proposed to Cypress Ditch and the IH-610 storm sewer system. These improvements are expected to require a mitigation volume of approximately 380 acre-feet in the first phase alone. The City must secure this volume through the strategic acquisition or repurposing of land to construct detention facilities.

Key drainage improvements include expanding and improving Cypress Ditch and upgrading the IH-610 storm sewer system. These upgrades will alleviate flooding risks in critical areas and support long-term resiliency. The improvements are part of a phased program that will eventually cover a broader range of projects citywide, demanding continued coordination, planning, and investment in regional detention solutions. goes here

The planning and design for detention infrastructure must begin during the next phase of the RDIP. Surface detention ponds across identified parcels may cost between $3.2 million and $13.7 million to construct, depending on the site. Additional costs include wastewater transfer infrastructure, demolition, and excavation if the City converts existing properties, such as the wastewater treatment plant. Full implementation of the RDIP will require significant investment over time and continued refinement of cost estimates as preliminary design advances.

The City should pursue a multi-pronged strategy to meet mitigation goals. This includes a land swap with the City of Houston for Parcels 2 and 3, conversion of the City’s wastewater treatment plant (Parcel 4) into detention, and acquisition of select privately owned parcels for additional capacity. Each option carries specific costs and benefits, and the City should prioritize parcels offering high-volume yields and feasible construction timelines.

In addition to surface detention, the City should consider pumped detention, inline detention, and underground detention where traditional methods are not feasible. Each of these alternatives comes with higher costs or operational complexity but can provide flexible solutions in constrained urban environments. The City may also explore partnerships or buy detention credits from COH or Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) to meet additional mitigation needs.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be pursued where feasible, particularly for parcels under private ownership. These partnerships can help share costs and leverage private development to meet public infrastructure needs. The City must act decisively to acquire or secure access to key parcels, especially those identified in Table 2, to ensure RDIP implementation stays on track and that adequate stormwater mitigation is available for both current and future infrastructure investments.