OEDC Ponders Flood Control

The Olney Economic Development Corporation is considering whether to expand the Main Street revitalization project beyond beautification to tackle flooding in downtown Olney with a solution that may alleviate the City’s water insecurity.

The Main Street project has taken on greater scope due to chronic flooding and water drainage issues at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Main Street, an area that OEDC executive director Tom Parker called “a long-standing problem spot.”

The Texas Department of Transportation, prompted by discussions with local officials, is now studying a more comprehensive approach to resurfacing and drainage, including installing underground down drains that would move stormwater away from the intersection and toward a culvert near the old railroad tracks, Mr. Parker said.

The goal is to prevent street flooding without overwhelming the water treatment system downstream.

The city also plans to reline and clean the existing drainage system south of town, which was previously cleared in part by city crews under past flood mitigation efforts, Mr. Parker told the Olney City Council at its April 14 meeting.

One proposed solution that OEDC and TxDOT are exploring includes installing underground holding tanks at Grand and Main that would allow stormwater to accumulate and then release slowly over time, reducing the impact on downstream neighborhoods, Mr. Parker said.