Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced that the City of Houston will receive $1,656,849 in federal funding for repairs to the Kendall Library and Community Center, which closed because of damages caused by Hurricane Harvey.  The funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

“Libraries are vital centers across our community, and the damage to the Kendall Library and Community Center during Hurricane Harvey resulted in a real loss for our community,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “That is why I am so glad to announce today FEMA’s grant of nearly $1.7 million to help ensure that the City of Houston and Houston Public Libraries can move forward with much-needed repairs, restoring both the building and this important community center of activity.”   

“Hurricane Harvey was a major rain event, and the Kendall library suffered extensive flood damage. The closure has been difficult for the community because libraries are a place of learning and a place for people to connect with their neighbors,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The City of Houston is grateful to Congresswoman Fletcher and FEMA for this much-needed infusion of federal funding. We have a design for renovation complete, and we are ready to move forward with the construction of the Kendall Library and community center. ” 

During Hurricane Harvey, the rising flood water from the Buffalo Bayou and Turkey Creek entered the Kendall Library and Community Center resulting in four feet of surface water flooding that remained for four weeks.  The two upper floors also sustained damage from flood-driven rain that infiltrated the roof and several windows.  The federal funding will be used to repair the damages incurred as well as to implement flood mitigation measures to reduce vulnerability in the case of future flooding events.