The Houston City Council approved an ordinance authorizing the use of 7,404 square feet of Sylvan Rodriguez Park for the Southeast Transmission Water Line (SETL) Project. The project, led by Houston Public Works, will replace the aging 42-inch water line with a new 54-inch transmission line along State Highway 3, extending from Fuqua Street to League City’s pump station. The approved use includes a 20-foot-wide permanent easement and a 30-foot-wide temporary construction zone. The alignment was selected based on a feasibility study that evaluated multiple alternatives, with the selected route offering minimal disruption and optimal connection to existing infrastructure. The affected area lies outside the park’s active use zones, and park functions can continue except for planting trees or placing permanent structures over the line. The city met Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 requirements by publishing three notices and holding a public hearing on March 26, 2025.
This decision allows for critical water infrastructure improvements while minimizing impact on park operations. It ensures long-term service reliability and complies with legal safeguards for public park land use.