Aid coming to Sullivan City to solve flooding problems

SULLIVAN CITY— Sullivan City is getting a half-a-million-dollar grant to fund improvements to its drainage and flood-control system.

“This comes as a result of the flood of Hurricane Dolly (in July 2008) when 40 (to) 50 houses were affected,” City Manager Rolando Gonzalez said.

The main work will take place near the intersection of Valle and Olga streets, south of Expressway 83.

The $500,000 grant will be used to construct a 2,700-foot-long drainage ditch to direct water away from the culverts under Expressway 83, according to a statement from the office of state Rep. Aaron Peña, D-Edinburg.

“When it comes to flood control, nothing is perfect,” Gonzalez said. “But it will control the majority of the flood problems.”

The city plans to go out for bids on the project within two months.

The $500,000 will be made available through the 2008 Supplemental Community Development Block Grant program associated with the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act.

Congress appropriated the money through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grant program is administered in Texas by the Disaster Recovery Division of the state’s Department of Rural Affairs.

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Martha L. Hernández covers Mission, western Hidalgo County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4846.