Pictured (l to r): Jim Campbell speaking, Bexar County Commissioner PCT 3 Kevin Wolff, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, and Bexar County Commissioner PCT 2 Justin Rodriguez
RECENT SUCCESS
$26 Million Reimbursement for Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration Project
On February 10th, 2020, San Antonio River Authority’s (SARA) and the Corps of Engineers’ Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration Project was awarded $26,031,000 in the Corps of Engineers 2020 Work Plan for SARA’s advance construction of Mission Reach.
O’Connell & Dempsey teamed with SARA’s leadership and the San Antonio congressional delegation to work with the Corps of Engineers, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, and the Office of Management and Budget to achieve this success. This funding is to repay in full Bexar County’s early investment allowing SARA to complete a significant portion of the project for the Corps. With this funding, the Federal government can take the project off the Federal books, a big plus for OMB.
With this allocation, SARA and Bexar County will receive the last installment of the $61.3 million reimbursement for SARA’s advance work on the Mission Reach Project, which restored 8 miles of the San Antonio River. The project now creates a natural watercourse providing wildlife habitat and a healthy river in an urban setting creating a resource for families and tourists in an underserved community. Bexar County will use the funds for the San Pedro Creek Culture Park, an element of the Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project. Previously, the community has used the reimbursed funds to advance flood control systems and recover the historic creek. “This $26 million really helps fulfill the funding commitment that will be needed for those final phases,” said Suzanne Scott, general manager of the San Antonio River Authority.
O’Connell & Dempsey was pleased to be a part of this reimbursement effort and the Federal approvals to get to our goal. We look forward to working with SARA to advance Westside Creeks through design and construction for the community, which is anxious to connect its citizens back to its creeks and a healthier lifestyle.