NORTHEAST– Harris County Flood Control officials unveiled a revamped plan for work on parks and detention facilities along Halls Bayou, at a public meeting last Tuesday, Oct. 25 held at MacArthur High School.
Named “Halls Ahead,” the new initiative replaces parts of the federal program that was presented in public meetings in 2009. Harris County decided that they could move more rapidly on their own, officials said, and let the slower federal study continue for later improvements and funding.
Therefore, this first of three meetings with the public was to listen to concerns about flood problems, erosion concerns, and solicit ideas on how bayou improvements could also enhance the urban and natural environment along the waterway.
The exhibits showed planning and construction work accomplished to date, including improvements in Keith-Wiess park, work underway at Bretshire Park on the west side of US59 at Jensen, and plans for a new detention park on the east side of US59 at Langley.
A small but interested group of residents turned out for the meeting, and looked at exhibits and exchanged ideas and information with the flood control staff and their consultants. Participants were encouraged to provide written comments, and the public is also asked to submit feedback too, up until a study deadline of Nov. 8th. These can be mailed to Halls Ahead, Attn. Dena Green, HC Flood Control, 9900 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77092, or emailed to hallsahead @hcfcd.org. The exhibits and additional data on the study are available at www.halls ahead.org.
The Halls Ahead study began in August 2011, and will include two other public meetings. In early spring 2012 the second meeting will be to Review the Draft Plan, and in the summer of 2012 a Final Public Meeting will present the Recommended Plan.
Implementation of the Halls Ahead plan will be contingent upon the availability of funds. The study group will assess the possibility of potential local, state and federal partners that could assist with the implementation of projects, programs and environmental and recreational features.
While the Halls Ahead study is entended to identify additional flood damage reduction measures, it also will identify and examine opportunities for enhancing the urban environment and provide neighborhood-friendly amenities. These might include trails, parks, and habitat restoration.