TEMPLE, TX (August 12, 2026) - The City of Temple is continuing work to advance the Little River Road Elevated Storage Tank (EST) project, an important investment in the City's long-term water infrastructure. As part of that effort, the City has identified an alternative property that can accommodate the project and has rescinded its offer to purchase the property located at 4011 Little River Road, commonly known as Pearl's Place.
During the original planning process, City engineers evaluated multiple properties in the area for the project. The property located at 4011 Little River Road was selected because it best met the project's engineering and operational requirements, including the elevation needed to efficiently serve the South Temple pressure plane while remaining within the project's budget. Other properties nearby were also evaluated but were not selected because the lower elevation presented additional engineering and construction challenges.
During the acquisition process, the City identified the nearby property as available for sale and evaluated whether it could accommodate the project. After further evaluation, staff determined the property could be engineered to meet the project's needs and that the additional construction requirements and associated costs could be addressed, making it a viable alternative.
The Little River Road EST project remains an important investment in Temple's long-term water infrastructure. The need for the project was identified in the City's 2019 Water Master Plan. Once completed, the elevated storage tank will improve water system reliability, maintain adequate water pressure, increase system resiliency, and support future growth within the South Temple pressure plane.
While preliminary evaluation determined the alternative site is viable, property negotiations and engineering evaluations are still ongoing. Final costs associated with the additional engineering and construction will be determined as those processes move forward.
During the original planning process, City engineers evaluated multiple properties in the area for the project. The property located at 4011 Little River Road was selected because it best met the project's engineering and operational requirements, including the elevation needed to efficiently serve the South Temple pressure plane while remaining within the project's budget. Other properties nearby were also evaluated but were not selected because the lower elevation presented additional engineering and construction challenges.
During the acquisition process, the City identified the nearby property as available for sale and evaluated whether it could accommodate the project. After further evaluation, staff determined the property could be engineered to meet the project's needs and that the additional construction requirements and associated costs could be addressed, making it a viable alternative.
The Little River Road EST project remains an important investment in Temple's long-term water infrastructure. The need for the project was identified in the City's 2019 Water Master Plan. Once completed, the elevated storage tank will improve water system reliability, maintain adequate water pressure, increase system resiliency, and support future growth within the South Temple pressure plane.
While preliminary evaluation determined the alternative site is viable, property negotiations and engineering evaluations are still ongoing. Final costs associated with the additional engineering and construction will be determined as those processes move forward.