Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) broke ground on the Meyergrove Detention Basin along with Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis (Precinct 1) Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin (District C), and City of Houston Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello.  The Meyergrove Detention Basin is a stormwater detention basin that will support water overflow for more than 27 million gallons of stormwater during heavy rain events to prevent flooding of nearby residences, commercial buildings, and roadways. 

“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 was glad to join our community leaders in breaking ground today, and to have brought congressional funding back to Houston for this important work.  Protecting our community from flooding is a collaborative effort, and I thank our community leaders joining me today for their partnership and leadership.”

In 2021, Congresswoman Fletcher requested and secured nearly $10 million in federal funding to design and construct the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin through the Community Funded Projects process in Congress.  The funding was included in the Funding for the People Act, a bipartisan government funding bill that funds essential programs and projects, including the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin.  President Biden signed the bill into law on March 15, 2022.  Later that month, she held a press conference to highlight funding for this project.

The 24.31 square miles of flood reduction will benefit areas that have experienced repeated flooding events and severe damage, including from the Tax Day and Memorial Day Floods, and from Hurricane Harvey.  The basin is part of a 2018 Bond Project to reduce flooding in the area and will be located between Brays Bayou and North Braeswood Boulevard adjacent to Interstate 610.  Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.