AUSTIN, Texas — As Central Texas continues to face flooding concerns, the City of Austin is moving forward with a project designed to better manage stormwater, improve water quality, and add new public amenities near the Asian American Resource Center.

Construction is beginning this month on the Asian American Resource Center and Rutherford Stormwater Improvements project. Austin Watershed Protection says the work is intended to improve the quality of stormwater flowing into Little Walnut Creek while also addressing flooding concerns and enhancing nearby public spaces.

The project will expand an existing biofiltration pond, add a wetland, construct a new stream and rain garden, and modify portions of the existing concrete channel.

“We are providing greater floodwater conveyance through the larger channel, and we’re also providing some flood control for the Asian-American Resources Center,” said Lee Sherman, a supervising engineer with Austin Watershed Protection.

ALSO| NYU transit expert questions high costs ahead of Austin Transit Partnership meeting

Along with the environmental improvements, the project includes new community features such as an urban trail, landscaping, and a play area. and two pedestrian bridges.

Sherman said one of those bridges will improve access for people visiting the resource center.

“One of the pedestrian bridges really provides safe access for pedestrians that are parking at the Rutherford parking lot and walking over to the Asian American Resource Center for events,” Sherman said. “They used to have to walk through kind of a slippery, mucky channel, and now they’re gonna have a safe pedestrian bridge to walk across.”

The construction cost is estimated at $5.7 million.

Sherman said the project is supported through multiple funding sources.

“The construction cost is around $5.7 million, and there’s mixed funding. We have a mixture of drainage utility funds that are going towards this project. You may see on your bill every month a little drainage utility fee that people pay.”

He said the project also receives funding from urban trail partners and the Urban Watershed Structural Control Fund.

Construction is expected to take about one year.

Community members can learn more during an online public meeting on Wednesday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m.

Information and registration are available through Austin Watershed Protection.