After heavy rains in 2016 led to flooding issues along Stadium Boulevard and Douglas Drive, the Jefferson City Public Works and Planning Committee heard potential stormwater solutions for those areas Thursday.
Barr Engineering conducted a flood study for the intersection of Satinwood Drive and Stadium Boulevard, an area near Cedar Hill Road and Timber Trail, and Douglas Drive.
Some property owners in these areas said they experienced flooding, especially during heavy rains in 2016 when more than 30 homes and the Washington Park Ice Arena flooded.
After considering several stormwater solutions, Barr Engineering concluded the city could add three stormwater detention basins around the Satinwood Drive/Stadium Boulevard intersection and Cedar Hill Road area.
A basin would be built on each of the eastern and western branches of the Stadium Boulevard and Satinwood Drive drainage area. They would help eliminate flooding on Stadium Boulevard and Satinwood Drive during a 100-year flood while also protecting two homes in the 1300 block of Satinwood Drive that experienced flooding, City Engineer David Bange said.
A third basin would be located on Cedar Hill Road and could help protect four Timber Trail homes that reported flooding during a 100-year flood, Bange said.
The basins ranged in cost from $230,000-$450,000 each, Bange said.
Over on Douglas Drive, Barr Engineering suggested constructing a new stormwater system along Douglas Drive so it intercepts water south of Davis Drive. This would help prevent flooding at some properties that share the drainage between Douglas and Bolton drives. The city also could reconstruct the curbing and drive entrances along Bolton Drive, Bange said.
The cost to construct this stormwater system ranges from $460,000-$700,000, Bange said.
While the committee didn't take action on the suggestions Thursday, several City Council members said the study gave them a better idea for how much these stormwater projects could cost.
"I think it's going to be on us as a council to figure out a long-term solution and how to fund that," Ward 3 Councilman Ken Hussey said. "These fixes here are a couple of million dollars. It's a significant investment."
The Jefferson City Public Works Department receives $360,000 from the city's sales tax annually to address stormwater concerns, Public Works Department Director Matt Morasch said previously.
In fall 2017, the Jefferson City Council approved $750,000 for additional stormwater crew members and stormwater projects.
Also in 2017, the City Council voted against placing a stormwater fee on an election ballot.