Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) held a press conference to highlight $9,950,000 in federal funding that she secured for the Meyergrove Detention Basin in the Funding for the People Act.  Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin (District C), Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis (Precinct 1), and Harris County Flood Control District Director Tina Petersen joined her in delivering remarks at the announcement.

The funding will be used to design and construct a 7.5-acre stormwater detention basin for the conveyance of more than 50 million gallons of stormwater away from nearby homes, businesses, and community resources.  The 24.31 square miles of flood reduction will benefit areas that have experienced repeated flooding events and severe damage, including during the Tax Day and Memorial Day Floods and Hurricane Harvey.

“The Meyergrove Detention Basin project is a much-needed improvement in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District that will have a real impact on the people of this community,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “I am glad to bring these dollars back to Houston for this important work and to partner with our community in this effort.  Protecting our community from flooding is a collaborative effort, and I thank our community leaders joining me today for their partnership and leadership.”

Last year, Congresswoman Fletcher requested funding specifically for the Meyergrove Detention Basin through the Community Funded Project process.  On March 9, 2022, Congresswoman Fletcher voted for the Funding for the People Act, a bipartisan government funding bill that funds essential programs and projects, including the Meyergrove Detention Basin.  President Biden signed the bill into law on March 15, 2022.