Stormwater issues can be slow to develop and easy to overlook as low-priority concerns, but stormwater-related problems can have disastrous results if not addressed correctly or in time. These issues may occur suddenly or develop over years. 

The City has identified future priority projects within Creve Coeur where stormwater is causing flooding, erosion and stormwater infrastructure damage, including:

Culvert replacements – Several culverts (pipes that carry a creek under a road) within the City have deteriorated and need to be rehabilitated or replaced. The cost of each culvert project ranges from $125,000 to $300,000.

Infrastructure improvements – Many of the City’s older streets east of I-270 were built decades ago and lack the stormwater infrastructure expected by today’s standards, such as inlets and drains. Currently, eight improvement projects have been identified within the City with a total cost of approximately $500,000.

Stream bank erosion – City neighborhoods built along streams are observing erosion in backyards and common grounds. Each individual project may take several years to plan, design and construct a solution. Currently, ten erosion-related projects have been identified with a total estimated cost of $700,000.

With additional revenue from the parks and stormwater fund, the City could fundamentally change its approach to stormwater management, shifting from reacting to emergencies to proactively planning needed improvements and maintenance.

Pictured below: The edge of a residential street collapses after a heavy rain storm in August eroded the roadway base around the culvert pipe below.

Originally published in the September 2020 resident newsletter. 

Return to Proposition C: Parks & Stormwater Sales Tax.