Washington, Apr 6 -
• Riverfront Park Bank Stabilization, $1,750,000
Sponsor: City of Beaumont, TX, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX  77704

Riverfront Park in downtown Beaumont stretches along the Neches River past the Museum District, the Beaumont Civic Center, Beaumont City Hall, up to the Port of Beaumont.  While the park has been an asset to the community for many years, its importance has grown significantly in recent years as it becomes a vital piece of the city’s downtown revitalization efforts.  Due to river currents, several sections of the park are experiencing erosion, with the most significant occurring in the northern section, and as a result, the city is seeking federal assistance with a project to provide bank stabilization along the length of the park.

• Houston Police Department LiveScan Equipment, $755,000
Sponsor: City of Houston, TX, 1200 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002

The Houston Police Department is in need of more funds to purchase more LiveScan equipment, enabling them to capture electronic fingerprints at booking and be part of the IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System) program which enables them to determine in seconds as opposed to days an individual’s legal status and criminal history of those they apprehend through the federal Law Enforcement Support Center.

• Houston Police Department Mobile AFIS Equipment, $158,000
Sponsor: City of Houston, TX, 1200 Travis Street, Houston, TX 77002

Funds would help the Houston Police Department purchase 50 additional handheld devices that would be given to police officers to quickly capture biometric information of suspects and quickly determine their criminal histories, outstanding warrants, whether they have an order of removal or bench warrant for a failure to appear for an immigration proceeding from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, etc. from ICE’s Office of Detention and Removal’s deportable felon database.

• Preventing Violence Against Women, $150,000
Sponsor: Harris County Constable Precinct 4, 16000 Stuebner Airline Road, Suite 520, Spring, TX  77379

Funding will used to provide a uniform manner of handling violent crimes against woman with-in this precinct by supporting an investigating deputy for the precinct. This way cases will be worked on 24 hours a day and have a faster completion time. The investigating deputy shall make the scene when a incident is reported and interview all victim(s), suspects(s), and witness(s) while at the scene. Collect all evidence at scene and provide the victim(s) with a written notification of their " Victim Rights" found in the departmental issued Victim Assistance pamphlet.  The investigator shall initiate a case report and post the case on the office information board so that all patrol deputies may be informed of the case. 

• Police Department Property Building, $1,300,000
Sponsor: City of Beaumont, TX, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX  77704

In addition to paying for storage at a non-city facility off site, the Beaumont Police Department is currently operating and maintaining two locations for the storage of property and evidence from crimes.  With those sites approaching capacity, the city has a need to purchase a building that would house all property, evidence, and files at a central location.  Beaumont residents will benefit from the project form the improved efficiency of the Police Department. The project will also provide long-term savings for the city by eliminating the need for rented space.

• Dismantling and Disrupting Drug Trafficking Organizations by the Targeted Narcotics Enforcement Team, $500,000
Sponsor: City of Houston, TX, P.O. Box 1562, Houston, TX 77251

The Houston Police Narcotics Division is requesting funds to be used towards enforcement of the illegal possession and distribution of Methamphetamine/ICE, Heroin, Cocaine and Marijuana throughout the Houston region.  The Targeted Narcotics Enforcement Team (TNET) is an enforcement group whose mission is to carry out investigations addressing the broad spectrum of drug trafficking in and through the Houston region. The goal is to identify, target, and disrupt or dismantle major drug trafficking organizations operating on a regional scale. However, TNET is unique in its efforts by focusing on the full organization. With investigators continuously developing confidential sources (CS) along the Texas-Mexico border, the group is able to target major Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs).  TNET also works through its coalition of investigators, attorneys, inspectors, and citizen groups to target the dealers and end users that make the DTOs’ work profitable.  Over the past several years, Mexican DTO’s have taken over the production of Methamphetamine and the more crystallized meth known as “ICE.”  Once dominated by domestic labs, Mexican DTO’s now produce the bulk of methamphetamine powder and ICE.   These DTO’s have utilized the same smuggling routes and techniques that have been used in the past.  TNET has quickly adapted to this new threat and has successfully targeted these Methamphetamine DTO’s.  Additional resources will enhance the ability to combat these sophisticated DTO’s.

• Battleship Texas Restoration, $5,000,000
Sponsor: Battleship Texas Foundation, 10575 Katy Frwy., Suite 393, Houston, TX 77024

Funds will help in the construction of a permanent dry-berth facility for the Battleship Texas to remove it from the water and preserve it. 

• Port of Port Arthur Drydock Conveyance, $5,160,000
Sponsor: Port of Port Arthur, 221 Houston Avenue, Port Arthur, TX  77640

In spite of its age, the AFDM-2 drydock is in apparent good structural condition.  With funds to relocate the drydock to the dock in Port Arthur it is expected to create approximately 70 direct jobs at the facility, expanding to 150 full time jobs over the first 5 years. Additionally, there should be over 200 indirect jobs over the first 5 years. Additionally, there should be over 200 indirect jobs created through monies paid to local vendors. An Economic Impact Study of this project by Entergy estimates that tax revenues generated over the first 10 years will exceed $1 million for the City of Port Arthur and $2.5 million for all taxing entities in Jefferson County.  Funds will be needed to tow the drydock to Port Arthur, install support infrastructure, dredging, crane refurbishment, upgrade of docking controls and construction of adjacent shop facilities, among other items. 

• Advanced Fuel Cell Research Program (also known as Advanced Laser Electric Power), $5,420,000
Sponsor: Lamar University, 4400 MLK Boulevard, P.O. Box 10119, Beaumont, TX  77710

Funding would continue to develop an efficient and clean advanced renewable energy source to meet urgent U.S. Army space and missile defense battlefield requirements.  The Advanced Fuel Cell project continues to develop, test and validate advanced fuel cell technologies necessary to enable lightweight, power efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective renewable energy technology and products for Army space and missile defense systems including: sensors, radars, weapons, and communications.  Project could also be used in border, port, and chemical facility surveillance.

• Needmore Diversion Channel Project, $4,000,000
Sponsor: Jefferson County, Texas Drainage District 6, 6550 Walden Road, Beaumont, TX  77707

Funds will help lower a Department of Energy pipeline to reduce flooding of over 277,000 acres, including access roads leading to the Big Hill Petroleum Strategic Reserve.  The Needmore diversion channel will be a 13-mile-long channel averaging 14 feet in depth with a 300-ft wide top.  This channel is the major component of five Taylors Bayou Master Plan projects and will have tremendous positive impacts with regard to the peak elevation of flood waters, as well as the duration of flooding.  This channel will flow from the confluence of the north and south forks of Taylors Bayou, south to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.  Of particular interest to the United States Department of Energy will be the substantial drainage improvements to Big Hill and Wilber roads, which are the only access roads to the Big Hill Strategic Petroleum Reserve south of Highway 73.  Mayhaw Bayou and two of its lower tributaries are the drainage outfalls for the reserve, as well as its access roads.  Currently, Mayhaw Bayou will rise to the point of making these roads impassable to all but large military or construction-type vehicles.  Additionally, the road will stay under water up to three weeks at a time and may flood multiple times per year.  This is a dangerous and costly condition.  Over 277,000 acres of watershed will be improved.  The economic benefit analysis indicates over $160 million will be produced either through an increase in property values due to floodplain reduction, maintenance costs to damaged roads, federal flood insurance savings, as well as reduced property damages.

• Sabine Neches Waterway, Texas Operations and Maintenance, $25,000,000
Sponsor: Sabine-Neches Navigation District, P.O. Box 778, Nederland, TX  77627

Funds will help maintain the Sabine-Neches Waterway at its current authorized dimensions of 40-foot channel depth for inland channels to Port Arthur and Beaumont and a 500-foot width in the Port Arthur Canal and a 400-foot width in the Neches River Channel to Beaumont, channel is 79 miles in length.

• Lower Trinity River Operations and Maintenance, $2,165,000
Sponsor: Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District, P.O. Box 857, Liberty, TX  77575

The Trinity River Project is a 47 mile shallow draft waterway beginning with the Anahuac Channel which extends for 5.6 miles from the 6 foot depth in upper Trinity Bay to the Mouth of the Trinity River at Anahuac Texas.  From the mouth of Trinity River, the channel to Liberty proceeds for 41.4 miles along the meanders of the Trinity River to the Port of Liberty.  Funds are needed to dredge this waterway to allow shallow draft barge access to support the current industrial residents at the Port of Liberty and attract new ones.

• 287g Training , $26,300
Sponsor: Harris County Sheriff’s Department, 1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX  77002

Funds would assist the Sheriff’s Department in providing training for five additional officers in the 287g program currently approved for Harris County’s detention center to help identify and coordinate with federal officials on the identity and legal status of inmates in custody and whether they need to be deported after their sentences are complete due to the crimes they committed.

• St. Elizabeth Hospital Emergency Power Generator , $900,000
Sponsor: CHRISTUS Hospital, 2830 Calder Street, Beaumont, TX  77702

Funds would allow for the purchase of a 2.5 megawatt diesel generating plant to ensure sanitary and safe conditions for both current and potential patients during disasters.  Although the Hospital has basic generator capabilities to sustain life support, Hurricanes Rita and Ike have proved that this basic capacity is insufficient. During Hurricane Ike, 190 patients were unable to be evacuated and as commercial utilities were shut down, basic hospital operations were compromised.  The generator will make certain that the Hospital remains serviceable by ensuring that power and water are functional; thus, allowing the Hospital to maintain its mission of providing essential medical care to the residents of southeast Texas.

• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements, $2,835,000
Sponsor: City of Baytown, TX, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, TX  77522

The City of Baytown is seeking assistance in funding a six-year, $140 million Capital Improvement Project that will rehabilitate and upgrade the city’s wastewater and water infrastructure to comply with increased federal and state regulations, maintain its condition and reliability and save costs.  This project rehabilitates portions of the Central District Wastewater Treatment plant. The work includes redesign of critical components to elevate structures out of the floodway and to reduce the storm surge impacts suffered as was suffered during Hurricane Ike.  These include the influent lift station, blower building, administration/laboratory building, and grit removal process.   The internal piping needs to be replaced to improve energy and operating efficiency, along with the chlorine contact basin and plant pumping/transfer systems.  Installation of post-storm emergency power systems are also a part of this project. 

• Golden Triangle Empowerment Center Initiative, $1,100,000
Sponsor: Digital Workforce Academy, 2209 Rosewood Drive, 1st Floor, Austin, TX  78702

Funding would help retool and train individuals for the skilled and highly demanding jobs required to take on the sophisticated construction, pipe fitting, welding, and related skill sets to participate in the petrochemical infrastructure expansion occurring in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange, TX.  The Academy focuses primarily on the underserved , the overlooked, and the unemployed.

• Community and University Partnerships Service (CUPS), $1,000,000
Sponsor: Lamar University, 4400 MLK Boulevard, P.O. Box 10119, Beaumont, TX  77710

Funding is designed to coordinate, plan and promote quality healthcare for underserved populations in Southeast Texas.  CUPS will provide critical access to resources and expertise for quality healthcare coupled with traditional community-based delivery systems through efficient utilization of Lamar University resources and partnerships.

• Behavioral Health Center, $750,000
Sponsor: Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, 3080 College Street, Beaumont, TX  77701

Funding is needed to renovate the aging 40 year old Behavioral Health Center building.   

• Loop 494 Upgrade, $10,249,938
Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, TX  78701

Expanding growth in Kingwood, TX necessitates an upgrade to Loop 494 from Sorters McClellan Road through Northpark Drive to handle traffic more efficiently.  The goal would be to widen the existing two-lane road into a four-lane concrete boulevard with medians, curbs and appropriate drainage similar to the existing streets in Kingwood. 

• Flyover connecting HWY 146 and Spur 330, $12,000,000
Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, TX  78701

One of the key elements of any traffic plan for a mass evacuation is “pinch points”, places where physical limitations of roadway size, configuration or signalization create a bottleneck. Baytown needs help in eliminating one such pinch point in its city.  Texas’ state-mandated evacuation plan calls for the 70,000 residents of Baytown to travel south on Highway 146 to Spur 330 and to turn north for travel to Interstate 10. There is a direct connector from Spur 330 to I-10 westbound.  However, the pinch point is at the intersection of Highway 146 and Spur 330.  All the evacuating residents must exit the main lanes and travel through three signalized intersections before reconnecting with the highway. Not only do these intersections create a bottleneck for evacuees, they also make it difficult for local emergency personnel to cross while preparing for and responding to an approaching emergency.  All areas south of Highway 146 are in the storm surge zone, making evacuation mandatory, not voluntary.