Eubanks Creek Master Plan

Project Introduction

City Collective spearheaded the Eubanks Creek Master Plan as an extension of the Fondren Forward initiative, focusing on flood mitigation and ecological restoration in the Fondren District. Partnering with local stakeholders, the City, and the State, the team engaged in a comprehensive process to assess and address recurring flooding challenges exacerbated by decades of urban development. With $1.2 million in initial funding, City Collective proposed innovative strategies to enhance community resilience, improve the public realm, and restore the ecological function of Eubanks.

Key Project Challenges

The project faced several complex challenges, including managing the impacts of upstream development that had significantly increased stormwater runoff and reduced natural infiltration. Existing infrastructure, such as undersized culverts and poorly placed roads, further compounded the flooding issues, leaving approximately 237 structures within the floodplain at risk. Additionally, climate change, outdated floodplain management practices, and community misconceptions about flood risks made addressing these issues both urgent and multifaceted.

Key Project Innovations

City Collective deployed a multi-pronged approach leveraging green stormwater infrastructure to mitigate flooding while enhancing community spaces. Key innovations included the integration of green streets, rain gardens, stormwater tree trenches, and strategically placed retention basins that also function as recreational and ecological assets. The plan emphasized improving the public realm with active and passive corridors such as parks and greenways, targeting a 30% reduction in local storm inundation. Furthermore, City Collective developed a phased implementation strategy, combining allocated funds with targeted grant opportunities and legislative advocacy to ensure long-term sustainability and scalability of the project.