A sweeping multimillion-dollar infrastructure plan is on the line for the city of Baytown this November. Voters will decide whether to move forward on $152 million bond election with six propositions, ranging from roads and drainage to parks and civic improvements.
The Baytown City Council voted 4-3 to put the propositions on the ballot, totaling nearly $152 million in improvements. Council members argued over how to define the area’s “needs” versus its “wants,” before ultimately choosing to put the decision in front of voters.
The propositions include:
Proposition A – Major Thoroughfares ($69.86 million)
Funds will be used to design, reconstruct, and improve key arterial roads—including Garth Road (Phases C, D, E), Cedar Bayou–Lynchburg widening and West Lobit Avenue—along with sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signals, storm drainage, utility upgrades and acquisition of necessary rights-of-way.
Proposition B – Neighborhood Streets & Pedestrian Improvements ($30.45 million)
This proposition targets local residential infrastructure, primarily through an asphalt renewal project covering numerous neighborhood streets. It also includes funding for ADA-compliant sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, relocation of the North Alexander traffic signal and a new connection from Jenkins Park to the Goose Creek Trail.
Proposition C – Drainage Infrastructure ($14.03 million)
Allocated for improving stormwater systems, funds will support West Baytown drainage phases 2 and 3, design work on Rollingbrook drainage between Garth Road and Main Street, and improvements to West Main drainage, including design and land acquisition.
Proposition D – Fire Station #4 Design ($4.25 million)
This covers the design phase and land acquisition for a new Fire Station No. 4. The funds would go toward preparing the site and planning framework but not yet covering full construction.
Proposition E – Wetlands Center Education Facility & Arboretum ($13 million)
Funds will support Phase 1 of the Baytown Nature Center Education Facility and Arboretum Gardens, including site development and related infrastructure to enhance environmental education and public engagement.
Proposition F – Parks and Recreation Enhancements ($19.76 million)
This proposition funds improvements and expansions across city parks, including the Wayne Gray Sports Complex, Gene & Loretta Russell Park and Unidad Park, covering construction, upgrades and new amenities to benefit local recreation.
The funding for Baytown’s six bond propositions would come from the sale of general obligation (GO) bonds. City officials have said the tax rate won’t increase immediately, but the city’s own calculator shows a possible increase of up to 5 cents over 5 to 7 years. Tax payments will vary depending on property values and other local tax levies.
If the bond fails, identified projects cannot revert to certificate-of-obligation funding for at least three years. The Nov. 4 election will determine whether Baytown embarks on one of its largest infrastructure investments in years, or whether the projects remain on hold for the foreseeable future.
Photo by Life Of Pix from Pexels
