CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The City of New Braunfels issued $6.27 million in Certificates of Obligation in June 2003 to fund three projects:   County Line Road improvements, Gruene Road improvements, and the Gruene Road Bike Lane Project.

COUNTY LINE ROAD

Improvements to County Line Road from Pahmeyer Road to FM 1044 were identified as a critical element in the City’s Thoroughfare Master Plan.  The improvements include the installation of a significant cross drainage structure and the construction of a five lane, major arterial.  This project was completed in April 2003 at a total cost of $947,617.

GRUENE ROAD STREET & DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT

The Historic District of Gruene is a significant tourist destination.  Gruene Road, the primary access into this district, is currently a rural road with a noteworthy history of accidents and significant flooding issues.  This project, funded at $6,586,077 with the 2003 Certificates of Obligation, consists of upgrading and straightening the roadway’s geometry so that it can efficiently and effectively function as a collector.  In addition, the project will correct the majority of existing cross drainage issues.  The project extends from Sunnybrook Drive to Common Street.  The project is currently under construction. (View Gruene Rd.)

             

      

GRUENE ROAD BIKE LANE

The Gruene Road Bike Lane is a partnership project between the City of New Braunfels and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).  This enhancement project costs a total of $761,973 and requires the City to provide a 20 percent match of $152,395 to TxDOT’s funding of $609,578.  The project will result in a bike lane that links downtown New Braunfels with the Historic District of Gruene.  The project was first initiated by the Comal Trails Group.  As proposed, it consists of lane widening and striping from the Faust Street Bridge to Sunnybrook Drive.  The Construction Phase will require construction coordination with the Gruene Rd. Street & Drainage Improvement Project and the Church Hill Drainage Project, as a significant portion of the project is dependent on these two projects.  To date, the project is currently in the design review process.  (View Gruene Bike Lane)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The City of New Braunfels issued $26 million in Certificates of Obligation in April 2004 to fund various streets and drainage improvement projects.  The debt issuance will fund improvements to:  the South Tributary Flood Control Project, the North Tributary Flood Control Project, Blieders Creek Regional Detention Facility, Blieders Creek River Road Improvement Project and Phase I of the Church Hill Drainage Project.  In addition, $10 million has been set aside to fund various street rehabilitation projects.

SOUTH TRIBUTARY

The South Tributary Flood Control Project is a regional flood control project that collects run-off from a 1,932 acres watershed.  The watershed is prone to flooding and the project is intended to confine the 100 year flood plain to City right-of-way.  A feasibility analysis was completed that included a detailed investigation of eight alternatives.  The selected alternative includes significant channel modification to the existing South Tributary conveyance system and the construction of a regional detention basin.  The budgeted cost for the project totals $7,853,200 with an estimated cost benefit ratio when compared to the existing improvements of 2.3.  The project design is proposed to be completed by April 2007 and construction anticipated to start in July 2007.

NORTH TRIBUTARY

The North Tributary Flood Control Project is a regional flood control project intended to reduce the threat of potential flooding.  The North Tributary conveyance system was recently a subject of a FEMA Flood Insurance Study.  The study was intended to identify the known risk associated with flooding within New Braunfels.  In an effort to reduce the identified risk, the City worked with an engineering consultant to complete a conceptual analysis demonstrating the proof of concept for a regional off-line detention pond along the North Tributary.  The budgeted cost for the construction of the detention pond and improvements to the downstream conveyance is $1,170,000.  The project is in the design process to date.  

BLIEDERS CREEK – DETENTION POND

In 1972, the City of New Braunfels suffered a devastating flood in the Blieders Creek Watershed;  it took the lives of 16 citizens.  As a result, the Blieders Creek Regional Flood Control Dam was constructed.  The upstream development of the area since the dam’s construction has taken the existing facility to capacity.  Preliminary conceptual analysis has shown the expansion of the existing facility is not cost effective; a second facility on a contributing tributary is necessary to resolve this problem.  The facility will reduce the current downstream runoff by approximately 20 percent.  The cost of the project is estimated at $2,430,000 with design to possibly begin in late 2007 and completion of construction in 2009.

BLIEDERS CREEK – RIVER ROAD CULVERTS

River Road currently serves as a critical route for emergency vehicles.  The Bleiders Creek Culvert Project will evaluate three road crossings above the 25 year flood event.  In addition, the project will reduce the level of flooding immediately upstream, of River Road by approximately 0.25 feet.  The City may begin design on the project in 2007 with the estimated design and construction to take approximately 18 months.  The budget for the project totals $2,660,000.

CHURCH HILL WATERSHED DRAINAGE PROJECT

The Church Hill watershed is adjacent to the Union Pacific railroad between the Guadalupe River and FM 306.  This area has had significant flooding issues common to the Church Hill Drive and Wright Avenue for at least the last decade.  This drainage improvement project is to be completed in two phases.  The design for the first phase (Phase A Construction Plans) is complete and the project will bid early 2007.  The cost of the proposed project is estimated to be $3,490,000.  Construction will begin in 2007.  (View Church Hill Phase A)

STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

In 2003, the City completed a street inventory and condition study.  The study identified an approach to approve the overall street network condition by applying either a timely overlay or reconstructing the street.  The study compared the rate of deterioration verses available funding.  The analysis was intended as a network analysis:  however, the analysis has also been used for project phasing and funding.  Staff has continued to use the original 2003 analysis and anticipated rehabilitation year to select and schedule projects.  The budget for this project totals $10,000,000.  Staff is managing the project in phases.  As phases are completed, additional projects are bundled together for design and construction bid awards.  To date, $5,276,658 is committed for these street improvements.   (View Capital Improvement Projects (CIP))

                                                                                                                                PHOTO DATE:  2/21/2007  

Project Construction Along Mill Street:
*Between Walnut Ave. & Sycamore:  Street Overlay
*Between Sycamore & Santa Clara:  Stormwater Drainage & Street Reconstruction
*Between Hickory & Walnut Ave.:  Street Reconstruction

STREETS AND DRAINAGE FUND

In FY 2000-2001, the City of new Braunfels created the Streets and Drainage Fund to pay for needed improvements to City infrastructure.  At that time, the major revenue source was a one-time equity transfer ($2,875,321) from the City’s 4A Board; that board was dissolved in 2001.  Since that time, revenue into the fund has come from interest and some federal, state and local grants.  The publics Works Department manages these projects and funds.  As of September 30, 2006, the City finished 43 streets and drainage improvement projects in this fund.  The total project cost for these is $3,988,354.  Individual project costs range from less than $1,000 to $845,000.  Three projects remain to be completed from this fund at a total cost of $162,026.  City staff expects to complete these projects during FY 2006-2007.

 MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

CIVIC/CONVENTION CENTER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND

The City of New Braunfels currently has a vibrant Civic Center used by many organizations for varied purposes.  To continue to capitalize on this important asset, a project is underway to renovate the existing structure and expand it on the current site.  The expansion/renovation will allow the facility to be used for larger convention type activities, performances, banquets, and other activities.  The expanded facility will create opportunities to attract larger programs, thus increasing revenue.  The expansion/renovation project’s budget totals $12.35 million.  Construction will take approximately 15 months and began in August 2006.