ROBSTOWN, Texas — Over the last 3 years, Adam Phany's business, Happy Donuts, has gotten a front-row seat to the flooding on Avenue J that passes over the sidewalk at times.
"It was a BMW that got stuck in the middle of the road probably like I want to say for five hours because the police would have to leave the car there and picked him up," Phany said.
Phany said there's been several times Robstown High School had to delay classes due to the flooding. Ultimately, keeping customers away from his storefront.
"We would have to close sometimes too. Close around 2 to 3 days like before when it's really bad. Usually if if they do come, they come from the back roads," Phany said.
The Nueces County Drainage District #2 Commissioner Jesse Rojas said the $48-million-dollar bond proposal they are asking for is is part of a multi-decades project that will fix flooding in the city.
However in order to receive state and federal funding, the bond proposal is a must.
"The reason why we're going out for bond money is because when the state requires us or shows us what our portion is we have to have those monies in order to meet the grant applications," Rojas said.
Rojas explained if passed, the large sum will be divided over time to fund projects that will help fix areas in Bluebonnet, Casa Blanca, and at the intersection of Avenue J and Banquete Street, where Phany works.
"The city raising taxes is completely different. We won't raise taxes until the funds are actually drawn off of the bond," Phany said. "So, you don't get taxed on $47 million dollars, you get taxed as you draw money you need for the projects are awarded to us from the state."
Phany said he's for the proposal if it finally stops the flooding in the area.
Rojas said working on funding now, will make planning for these projects to begin sooner than later.
"I think it's also important to know that we're not doing this to bring industry into our area," Rojas said. "We are doing this to fix the quality of life for the residents who have always had flooding issues. That's first and foremost is our people in our community."
