CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The contractor hired by the city to tackle the drainage issue on North Beach is laying out the blueprint on how he plans to solve the flooding caused during heavy rains in that part of the city.
What is being designed right now is a new canal that would eventually stretch from one side of North Beach to the other where water could drain. The city said they have the funding of just over $14 million available for it.
North Beach Community Association board member and Developer Lynn Frazier, who first approached the city about developing a canal system was on hand Thursday night to see the progress of the plan the city ultimately decided on.
"It's an absolute necessity to get it done," he said. "I really think that they got to get their ups and downs figured out where it drains off, where it used to back in the day water drained down the streets out onto the beach, but now the beach is higher than the streets, we have a problem."
Scott Harris, a consultant with Lockwood, Andrews & Newman presented the canal and ditch system that will create a rainfall storage, like a detention pond that would keep water out of streets and properties.
Phase one would run north to south from Timon Marsh to Surfside Park. Harris explained the canal wouldn't travel in a straight line, but instead, be a winding park-like feature for residents and visitors to enjoy, something Corpus Christi District 1 Councilmember Everett Roy said will benefit the entire North Beach community.
"Overall the people of north beach have been very patient, they deserve to be able to drive through the street without flooding" he said.
A big concern brought up during the meeting by residents are the mosquitoes. More importantly, how the possibility of stagnant water could create more breeding grounds. One suggestion given to the group designing it was to possibly add circulation pumps to help keep the water moving.
The design presented is only at 30 percent which means the engineer can take any input and possibly still move forward with those suggestions.
Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni calling the update, progress.
"We have a solution now, $14 million dollars we have budgeted over the past several years, including $5 million in federal funds," he said.
Phase one will include roadside ditches, culverts and select driveways, as well as undergrounds storm water improvements and inlets. There would also be a bridge crossing at Beach.
Once the design is finished and approved, the estimated time of construction is 18 to 20 months.
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