File photo
File photo
An $800,000 project aimed at transforming undeveloped property into a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) system to help Houston gear up, weather, and recover from hurricanes and floods is underway.
"The Urban Prairie Resilience Project is a transformative initiative that will not only serve our most vulnerable populations but will also become a cure demonstration of what can be achieved when GSI Is integrated into the built environment," Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a release posted on the mayor's website.
Turner was joined by representatives from Wells Fargo, New Hope Housing, and Star of Hope along with other elected officials to mark the kick off of the project in the Sunnyside Complete Community. The project will use about 8 acres of empty lands and create storm water detention, green space, and family-friendly play areas.
It's all a part of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Resilient Communities Program that's funded by Wells Fargo. Houston was among 11 communities to receive grant money totaling $3.6 million with matching contributions exceeding that number by almost $1 million to help approach the problems and decrease the blow of natural disasters.
"We know that with this additional funding, the Urban Prairie Resiliency Project will be able to help address the critical needs of this community and position Houston for further growth," Nipul Patel, executive vice president for Wells Fargo, said.
The Urban Prairie Resilience Project will be built off Highway 288 and Reed Road in the Cornerstone Community Campus. It'll have an impact on over 1,000 people who are helped at both the Star of Hope's Women & Family Development Center and the New Hope Housing Reed affordable housing complex.
Officials estimated it would take about two years to finish, and hope to have construction and planting finished by the end of 2022.
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