City of Austin updates FAQ

Stephanie Lott, of COA Watershed Protection, provided an update to the information we have on the detention pond project.  (For complete details, see the previous posts.)

"Below is some information about the purpose of the project, graffiti and the recreational aspects of the site that you requested. We’ve seen a number of specific ideas and comments both on these issues and others that have the potential for enhancing the project. They need further research, and we are working with our engineers to see if any of them can be incorporated into the project to the extent that our budget allows and without conflicting with the flood control purpose of the project.

"Reason for the Great Northern Detention Pond Project
"With this project, we are bringing the site into compliance with the State of Texas dam safety standards. Most of the improvements are intended to protect those living around the dam and downstream of it, as far as White Rock Drive, from the potential failure of the dam in the probable maximum flood. The probable maximum flood is four times larger than the Memorial Day Flood. While unlikely, such a flood is possible. There have been three in or near Central Texas in the past century. The failure of the dam in this type of storm would be a disaster, causing sudden and severe flooding in many homes in the Allandale neighborhood. This project will ensure the integrity of the dam structure during such a storm.

"The improvements, including the concrete wall and spillway, will also help prevent damage to the dam during lesser, but still very large storms. Any time a dam is overtopped, meaning there is more water coming in than it can hold, there is the potential for erosion and damage to the structure of the dam. This dam is currently in good condition, but it will overtop in a severe storm, one that has between a 4 and 10 percent chance of occurring in any given year. The proposed wall will direct the overflow into the spillway. The concrete spillway will protect the embankment from damage.

"Graffiti
"We realize there are concerns about graffiti and were already planning to use an “anti-graffiti” coating on the concrete. We are currently gathering more information about the effectiveness of this product, which we will relay to the neighborhood as soon as possible. You’ve indicated that some of the neighbors have suggested using plants as a screen for the wall to help prevent graffiti. Unfortunately, this is not possible since the plants would have the potential to damage the structure of the dam.

"Preservation of the Recreational Aspects of the Area
"After the project is complete, the neighbors are welcome to use the area as they are currently using it.

• It will remain a leash-free area.
• The existing sidewalks will remain, and a new one will be added.
• We will have to remove the current bench area, since it’s in a problematic location at the top of the spillway. However, we are willing to put in a replacement bench area. Several people at the meeting on Monday, February 4, 2008, mentioned that they would prefer several smaller benches than one large bench area, and we are exploring this option.
  

"We are not planning to add amenities that are not already there, although we are looking into whether there is anything that we can do to improve parking on the east side of Great Northern. "

Please post your votes and comments to the "Vote!" post on this blog.  I will be providing ALL feedback to the city next week.

The deadline for comments is February 12th.  Do not delay in sending your concerns to me, or posting them to the blog.  It is imperative that the neighborhood submit their issue by this date for any amendments to be considered!