Faced with that potential loss, you would think HCFCD would be scurrying to launch projects. But the last two commissioners court agendas offer a glimpse into an institution hampered by malaise.
October 30 Agenda
The October 30th agenda showed just four items under Flood Control District.
One had to do with recognizing a vendor name change
Another had to do with buying out a single property to prevent future flood damage to it
Two had to do with purchasing four tracts of land for stormwater conveyance improvements.
In fairness, the agenda included several additional Flood-Control items under the Purchasing department. They included:
Five vendor name changes
Two maintenance contract extensions
Feasibility study for a detention basin in the Greens Bayou watershed
A bid calendar
A professional services procurement policy
Under Transmittals, Commissioners received a Preliminary engineering report for mainstream improvements to Halls Bayou that was completed 4.5 months earlier. They also received notice that two mowing contracts would be advertised for bidding.
The agenda included no capital-improvement or construction contracts that would actually reduce flood risk.
Ironically, all that could harm disadvantaged constituents that the majority on commissioners court says need help the most – minorities with low-to-moderate incomes. Reportedly, more than 70% of the $322 million in projects endangered by a looming February 28, 2026 deadline would benefit that group.
At the current rate of one new construction project a month, it could take HCFCD another 11 to 12 years to complete the 137 projects remaining in the Flood Bond.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/7/25
2992 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Forest-Green-Location-Map-2-scaled-e1762557412221.jpg?fit=1100%2C688&ssl=16881100adminadmin2025-11-07 17:46:442025-11-07 18:19:55Harris County Commissioners Court Agendas Reflect HCFCD Slowdown
11/6/25 – Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger has scheduled another round of Median Madness for November 15. The focus this time will be a stretch of Northpark near the Kroger at the intersection with West Lake Houston Parkway.
Median Madness events not only beautify Kingwood medians, they improve traffic safety by improving visibility and removing roadway incursions.
The November 15 event will make up for one last May that had to be rescheduled because of rain.
How to Sign Up
Flickinger invites residents to join in continuing these efforts to keep District E beautiful. Those interested in volunteering can contact the District E office at districte@houstontx.gov to get involved.
Said Flickinger, “Your teamwork and commitment continue to make a tremendous impact on our community medians and the overall appearance of our city.”
Thank You to All Supporters
Flickinger also thanked the Houston Police Department, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Houston Toolbank, Council Member Julian Ramirez and generous sponsors for helping to make this upcoming event a success in the spirit of past events.
Sponsors for this event include Chick-Fil-A, Trees for Kingwood and Houston Parks and Recreation.
Read more about the community’s efforts and see photos from the last event here:
Please bring water, gloves, and shears. And wear closed-toed shoes. All ages are welcome, but those under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/6/25
2991 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251106-Screenshot-2025-11-06-at-8.23.03-PM.jpg?fit=1100%2C700&ssl=17001100adminadmin2025-11-06 20:28:152025-11-06 20:31:46Save the Date: Median Madness Round 4 Scheduled for November 15
11/5/25 – From ground level, a driver may not see all the progress being made on the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. But from the air, it’s unmistakable. One can clearly see the pieces of the final Northpark project coming together.
In the last week, contractors have:
Prepped and/or paved a mile of new inbound lanes on Northpark
Framed out most of the first junction box that will convey stormwater from one side of the UPRR tracks to another
Began prepping the second junction box.
Extended sidewalks on the south side of Northpark between Loop 494 and 59.
Below are pictures taken on Monday, 11/3/25 that show the state of the massive project.
Prep and Paving of Inbound Lanes
Looking east from the entry ponds at US59, note the sidewalks going in on the right. Contractors are bending the path to save a giant live oak tree by the Exxon station.
Looking east from the entry ponds at US59 on 11/3/25. Note sidewalk swerving to save tree. Closeup below.Closer shot of men routing the sidewalk around the live oak in front of the Exxon Station.
Also note below that contractors have removed all the old concrete from the southernmost lanes (right of center) and have begun paving new lanes from Whataburger to US59.
Reverse angle. Looking SW at the same area.
On the other side of Loop 494, there’s even more progress. Note the new lanes stretching east from Loop 494 most of the way to Russell Palmer Road.
Looking east from over Loop 494. Note new paving (right) in front of a new subdivision which will be called the Northpark Enclave.
A little farther east, contractors have laid an asphalt base that stretches for several more blocks. Concrete will soon follow.
Note the base for new paving on the right.
Also note above the gentle outward curve of the road on both sides. This is where surface roads will split to make room for the bridge over the tracks and Loop 494.
Junction Boxes by Loop 494
Contractors are in the process of forming two cast-in-place junction boxes on either side of the UPRR tracks that parallel Loop 494.
They finished two bores under the tracks in October. Now, they are creating the junction boxes, one on either side of the tracks. Together, will help convey stormwater to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
All this work is taking place under ground and is invisible from the road.
Looking down at the rebar that will reinforce the walls of the western pit between Loop 494 and the tracks.Work is just starting on the eastern junction box in front of Self-U-Storage.
Sidewalks between US59 and Loop 494
Looking west and people working on sidewalk near Exxon Station.Wider shot shows the south sidewalk will soon stretch all the way to US59.
Next Steps
Ralph De Leon, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project manager for the Northpark expansion project, says the next steps will be:
Opening up all the westbound lanes between Loop 494 and US59
Opening up all the eastbound lanes on both sides of Loop 494
Finishing the driveways on the outbound side of Northpark east from the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
In the meantime, pack your patience. And focus on how nicely this will all work when complete.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/5/25
2090 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251103-DJI_20251103142117_0357_D-1.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-11-05 15:59:412025-11-05 16:11:22Northpark Update: Building Blocks Falling into Place
Harris County Commissioners Court Agendas Reflect HCFCD Slowdown
11/7/2025 – Seven years into what was supposed to be a ten-year flood bond, less than 40% of the money has been spent. As a result of slower than expected project execution, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is running out of time to complete projects associated with hundreds of millions of dollars in matching grants. It has also lost hundreds of millions of dollars in purchasing power due to inflation.
Faced with that potential loss, you would think HCFCD would be scurrying to launch projects. But the last two commissioners court agendas offer a glimpse into an institution hampered by malaise.
October 30 Agenda
The October 30th agenda showed just four items under Flood Control District.
In fairness, the agenda included several additional Flood-Control items under the Purchasing department. They included:
Under Transmittals, Commissioners received a Preliminary engineering report for mainstream improvements to Halls Bayou that was completed 4.5 months earlier. They also received notice that two mowing contracts would be advertised for bidding.
The agenda included no capital-improvement or construction contracts that would actually reduce flood risk.
November 13 Agenda
The 11/13/25 Commissioners Court Agenda lists five items under Flood Control District.
However, the Engineering Department did ask permission to buy or condemn several pieces of property related to HCFCD channel improvements.
Also, under Purchasing, Flood Control listed:
HCFCD also transmitted several documents to Commissioners:
So, out of those two meetings…
That’s the Forest Green Regional Detention Basin at FM2100 and FM1960.
Comparison to Previous Management
Flood-mitigation spending at HCFCD has fallen to less than half of what it was under previous management.
Commissioners Court agenda’s in recent years reflect that. I opened a random selection of agendas both before and after the peak shown above.
Most agendas sampled after the peak contained half the number of HCFCD items compared to agendas before the peak.
I asked a half dozen sources why. They pointed to a combination of factors. Most frequently mentioned:
Ironically, all that could harm disadvantaged constituents that the majority on commissioners court says need help the most – minorities with low-to-moderate incomes. Reportedly, more than 70% of the $322 million in projects endangered by a looming February 28, 2026 deadline would benefit that group.
At the current rate of one new construction project a month, it could take HCFCD another 11 to 12 years to complete the 137 projects remaining in the Flood Bond.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/7/25
2992 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Save the Date: Median Madness Round 4 Scheduled for November 15
11/6/25 – Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger has scheduled another round of Median Madness for November 15. The focus this time will be a stretch of Northpark near the Kroger at the intersection with West Lake Houston Parkway.
Median Madness events not only beautify Kingwood medians, they improve traffic safety by improving visibility and removing roadway incursions.
Carrying On a Tradition of Community Involvement
The Median Madness initiatives bring together volunteers of all ages, city departments, and community partners for clean-up and beautification efforts. The first three events have been resounding successes.
The November 15 event will make up for one last May that had to be rescheduled because of rain.
How to Sign Up
Flickinger invites residents to join in continuing these efforts to keep District E beautiful. Those interested in volunteering can contact the District E office at districte@houstontx.gov to get involved.
Said Flickinger, “Your teamwork and commitment continue to make a tremendous impact on our community medians and the overall appearance of our city.”
Thank You to All Supporters
Flickinger also thanked the Houston Police Department, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Houston Toolbank, Council Member Julian Ramirez and generous sponsors for helping to make this upcoming event a success in the spirit of past events.
Sponsors for this event include Chick-Fil-A, Trees for Kingwood and Houston Parks and Recreation.
Read more about the community’s efforts and see photos from the last event here:
Median Madness Volunteers Made a Huge Difference Again.
And Don’t Forget…
Please bring water, gloves, and shears. And wear closed-toed shoes. All ages are welcome, but those under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/6/25
2991 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Update: Building Blocks Falling into Place
11/5/25 – From ground level, a driver may not see all the progress being made on the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. But from the air, it’s unmistakable. One can clearly see the pieces of the final Northpark project coming together.
In the last week, contractors have:
Below are pictures taken on Monday, 11/3/25 that show the state of the massive project.
Prep and Paving of Inbound Lanes
Looking east from the entry ponds at US59, note the sidewalks going in on the right. Contractors are bending the path to save a giant live oak tree by the Exxon station.
Also note below that contractors have removed all the old concrete from the southernmost lanes (right of center) and have begun paving new lanes from Whataburger to US59.
On the other side of Loop 494, there’s even more progress. Note the new lanes stretching east from Loop 494 most of the way to Russell Palmer Road.
A little farther east, contractors have laid an asphalt base that stretches for several more blocks. Concrete will soon follow.
Also note above the gentle outward curve of the road on both sides. This is where surface roads will split to make room for the bridge over the tracks and Loop 494.
Junction Boxes by Loop 494
Contractors are in the process of forming two cast-in-place junction boxes on either side of the UPRR tracks that parallel Loop 494.
They finished two bores under the tracks in October. Now, they are creating the junction boxes, one on either side of the tracks. Together, will help convey stormwater to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
All this work is taking place under ground and is invisible from the road.
Sidewalks between US59 and Loop 494
Next Steps
Ralph De Leon, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project manager for the Northpark expansion project, says the next steps will be:
In the meantime, pack your patience. And focus on how nicely this will all work when complete.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/5/25
2090 Days since Hurricane Harvey