6/26/26 – After getting off to a sluggish start, construction of the giant 725-acre-foot East TC Jester stormwater detention basin along Cypress Creek has kicked into high gear.
History of Project
On 11/30/21, Harris County Commissioners approved an agreement with an engineering company to provide design/bid/construction-phase services.
In September of 2023, Dr. Tina Petersen held a press conference at the site to with Congressman Dan Crenshaw, State Rep. Sam Harless, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey to promote the funding secured for construction.
TC Jester Detention Basin Press Conference promoting availability of funding.
Then, there was a long pause. In mid-April this year, I received an email from Harris County Flood Control District saying construction had started. But when I visited the site on 4/22/26, I saw nothing but a construction trailer. That led me to conclude that HCFCD was broken.
On 5/1/26, HCFCD released a report saying it would miss the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) deadline of 2/28/27 by several months.
A little more than a month later, on 6/3/26, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) estimated construction was only 2% complete with only nine months left before the clock ran out on $23,844,000.00 of HUD funding.
Progress in Last 2 Months
Today, 6/27/26, I visited the site again and was pleasantly surprised by the progress.
Contractors had to clear the site before excavation could start. That looked complete and they were well into the excavation phase. I saw a carousel of belly-dump trucks parading past three excavators on a Saturday afternoon. In the 20 minutes I flew over the site, I counted more than a dozen of the giant trucks come in, fill up, and exit the site.
See the pictures below. First, here was the starting point two months ago.
TC Jester East Basin 1B on April 22, 2026 before start of construction. Looking W. TC Jester at top of frame. Cypress Creek on left.Wider shot of same area two months later showing extent of construction on 6/27/2026.Looking WSW from over Cypresswood Drive.Looking E from over TC Jester. Cypresswood Drive on left.Loaded dump trucks circling around and leaving site.Closer shot of the parade of dump trucks.Closer shot showing depth of excavation.
I wish all the HUD Community Development Block Grant projects were moving as fast as this one. Unfortunately, they aren’t. See one tomorrow that seems to be moving slower. Much slower. .
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/27/2026
3234 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DJI_20260627131605_0014_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-06-27 18:36:532026-06-27 19:40:19Construction of Giant East TC Jester Basin Kicks into High Gear
6/25/26 – After 15 minutes in executive session this morning, Harris County Commissioners unanimously approved Marcus Stuckett as the new head of Harris County Flood Control District.
Marcus Stuckett, new Executive Director of HCFCD
2-Years of Debate Boil Down to 57 Words
Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey PE made the motion.
Ramsey: I’d like to make a motion to ratify the appointment of Marcus Stuckett as executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District, with an effective date of hire of June 29th, 2026.
Ellis: I’ll second it.
Hidalgo: Can I second this one? Okay. All in favor?
(Four vote AYE, Garcia remained silent.)
Hidalgo: Any opposed? Abstentions? Okay. Motion carries. Unanimously. Congratulations to the new director.
The official record will show Garcia voted in favor of hiring Stuckett despite the fact that he remained silent. Unless a court member explicitly states that he/she votes Against or Abstains, the vote counts as FOR.
It was all over in 57 words and 41 seconds.
Under Dr. Tina Petersen, Stuckett’s predecessor, the speed of project execution slowed precipitously.
The slow rate of project execution put hundreds of millions of dollars of federal partnership funding at risk because of looming deadlines that HCFCD would likely miss.
However, shortly after this morning’s vote in Commissioners Court, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) released this statement from Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. She said that she looks forward to working with Stuckett to serve the residents of Harris County. She added:
“Time is of the essence. Harris County residents deserve nothing less than ‘full speed ahead’ to ensure these projects are completed on time in accordance with the federal deadline.”
– Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D.
“Like Changing a Tire on a Busy Freeway”
Stuckett inherits Petersen’s problems and a volatile, high-pressure, politically charged situation despite the apparent unanimity of today’s decision.
One observer said this about Stuckett’s return to HCFCD: “It will be like changing a tire on a busy freeway with traffic flying by at 70 MPH.”
There’s still a chance that HCFCD could miss deadlines on some projects. But the people I consulted for this story say that Stuckett is Harris County’s best hope for saving the federal funds.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/25/26
3222 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Marcus-Stuckett-cropped.jpg?fit=1100%2C883&ssl=18831100adminadmin2026-06-25 13:12:052026-06-25 13:39:13Stuckett Unanimously Approved as New Head of HCFCD
6/24/26 – Traffic now flows smoothly – straight through – on new Northpark Drive surface lanes all the way from US59 to Russell Palmer Road and beyond! Yesterday afternoon, crews switched crossing arms and traffic signals at Loop 494 and the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks.
Traffic flowed smoothly all the way down Northpark! And within an hour, Harper Brothers started demolishing the old lanes.
Demolishing old asphalt lanes near UPRR tracks. Photo courtesy of Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority.
The switch to the new surface lanes now opens the way for bridge construction over the tracks and 494. That’s the good news.
Impact of Intersection Reconstruction
However, the Loop 494 intersection is being demolished for storm sewer work and repaving. Northpark Project Manager Ralph De Leon expects that could take as long as 4-5 weeks. However, Harper Brothers Construction hopes to shorten that time.
East-west traffic will remain open and unobstructed during reconstruction of the intersection. However, north-south traffic on Loop 494 will be diverted onto Northpark. To continue north or south, traffic will have to go east or west on Northpark until it reaches a crossover. After making a U-turn, drivers will then have to double back to 494 and turn north or south again.
It sounds complicated. But the drone photos below will help visualize it. All pictures below were taken around 3PM on 6/23/26.
Note in- and outbound Northpark traffic now using new concrete feeder lanes. Also note northbound 494 traffic turning right on Northpark to loop around and get to the other side of the intersection.
North- and southbound traffic may find it easier to use US59 for the next month.
Contractors demolishing the old, asphalt center lanes near railroad and Loop 494 intersection Facing east. Wider shot shows east/west traffic now crossing 494 and tracks straight through in both directions.Facing south. Note Loop 494 traffic being diverted onto Northpark in both directions.Inbound is now a straight shot as far as the eye can see.
Traffic no longer does a zig-zag near the tracks as it did for months.
Entry Pond Status
Elsewhere along the length of the project, another visible sign of progress is the entry ponds at US59. They will double as detention ponds that handle additional runoff from the extra lanes being added to Northpark. They will also serve as beautiful, welcoming entrances to the community.
North entry pond at 59/NorthparkSouth entry pond as of 6/23/26
Excavating, grading and lining both detention basins
Finish demo of old lanes
Finish installation of illumination.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/24/26
3221 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DJI_20260623153929_0462_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-06-24 09:31:472026-06-24 19:54:41Northpark Surface Lanes Now Open from US59 Past Russell Palmer
Construction of Giant East TC Jester Basin Kicks into High Gear
6/26/26 – After getting off to a sluggish start, construction of the giant 725-acre-foot East TC Jester stormwater detention basin along Cypress Creek has kicked into high gear.
History of Project
On 11/30/21, Harris County Commissioners approved an agreement with an engineering company to provide design/bid/construction-phase services.
In September of 2023, Dr. Tina Petersen held a press conference at the site to with Congressman Dan Crenshaw, State Rep. Sam Harless, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey to promote the funding secured for construction.
Then, there was a long pause. In mid-April this year, I received an email from Harris County Flood Control District saying construction had started. But when I visited the site on 4/22/26, I saw nothing but a construction trailer. That led me to conclude that HCFCD was broken.
On 5/1/26, HCFCD released a report saying it would miss the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) deadline of 2/28/27 by several months.
A little more than a month later, on 6/3/26, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) estimated construction was only 2% complete with only nine months left before the clock ran out on $23,844,000.00 of HUD funding.
Progress in Last 2 Months
Today, 6/27/26, I visited the site again and was pleasantly surprised by the progress.
Contractors had to clear the site before excavation could start. That looked complete and they were well into the excavation phase. I saw a carousel of belly-dump trucks parading past three excavators on a Saturday afternoon. In the 20 minutes I flew over the site, I counted more than a dozen of the giant trucks come in, fill up, and exit the site.
See the pictures below. First, here was the starting point two months ago.
I wish all the HUD Community Development Block Grant projects were moving as fast as this one. Unfortunately, they aren’t. See one tomorrow that seems to be moving slower. Much slower. .
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/27/2026
3234 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Stuckett Unanimously Approved as New Head of HCFCD
6/25/26 – After 15 minutes in executive session this morning, Harris County Commissioners unanimously approved Marcus Stuckett as the new head of Harris County Flood Control District.
2-Years of Debate Boil Down to 57 Words
Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey PE made the motion.
Ramsey: I’d like to make a motion to ratify the appointment of Marcus Stuckett as executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District, with an effective date of hire of June 29th, 2026.
Ellis: I’ll second it.
Hidalgo: Can I second this one? Okay. All in favor?
(Four vote AYE, Garcia remained silent.)
Hidalgo: Any opposed? Abstentions? Okay. Motion carries. Unanimously. Congratulations to the new director.
The official record will show Garcia voted in favor of hiring Stuckett despite the fact that he remained silent. Unless a court member explicitly states that he/she votes Against or Abstains, the vote counts as FOR.
Under Dr. Tina Petersen, Stuckett’s predecessor, the speed of project execution slowed precipitously.
The slow rate of project execution put hundreds of millions of dollars of federal partnership funding at risk because of looming deadlines that HCFCD would likely miss.
Regardless, last night Garcia took to the airwaves to continue promoting Petersen and question the appointment of Stuckett on procedural grounds. See his comments on KHOU Channel 11, ABC Channel 13 and Fox Channel 26.
However, shortly after this morning’s vote in Commissioners Court, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) released this statement from Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. She said that she looks forward to working with Stuckett to serve the residents of Harris County. She added:
“Like Changing a Tire on a Busy Freeway”
Stuckett inherits Petersen’s problems and a volatile, high-pressure, politically charged situation despite the apparent unanimity of today’s decision.
One observer said this about Stuckett’s return to HCFCD: “It will be like changing a tire on a busy freeway with traffic flying by at 70 MPH.”
There’s still a chance that HCFCD could miss deadlines on some projects. But the people I consulted for this story say that Stuckett is Harris County’s best hope for saving the federal funds.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/25/26
3222 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Northpark Surface Lanes Now Open from US59 Past Russell Palmer
6/24/26 – Traffic now flows smoothly – straight through – on new Northpark Drive surface lanes all the way from US59 to Russell Palmer Road and beyond! Yesterday afternoon, crews switched crossing arms and traffic signals at Loop 494 and the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks.
Traffic flowed smoothly all the way down Northpark! And within an hour, Harper Brothers started demolishing the old lanes.
The switch to the new surface lanes now opens the way for bridge construction over the tracks and 494. That’s the good news.
Impact of Intersection Reconstruction
However, the Loop 494 intersection is being demolished for storm sewer work and repaving. Northpark Project Manager Ralph De Leon expects that could take as long as 4-5 weeks. However, Harper Brothers Construction hopes to shorten that time.
East-west traffic will remain open and unobstructed during reconstruction of the intersection. However, north-south traffic on Loop 494 will be diverted onto Northpark. To continue north or south, traffic will have to go east or west on Northpark until it reaches a crossover. After making a U-turn, drivers will then have to double back to 494 and turn north or south again.
It sounds complicated. But the drone photos below will help visualize it. All pictures below were taken around 3PM on 6/23/26.
North- and southbound traffic may find it easier to use US59 for the next month.
Traffic no longer does a zig-zag near the tracks as it did for months.
Entry Pond Status
Elsewhere along the length of the project, another visible sign of progress is the entry ponds at US59. They will double as detention ponds that handle additional runoff from the extra lanes being added to Northpark. They will also serve as beautiful, welcoming entrances to the community.
For More Information
Search “Northpark expansion” on this website. Or visit the project pages on the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website.
You can find a three-week lookahead schedule, here. Major priorities in the next few weeks include:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/24/26
3221 Days since Hurricane Harvey