Ideas & Innovation
Relevant insights from our subject matter experts
MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING SERVICES, URBAN PLANNING + DESIGN
What to Know as You Grow
City leaders: Feeling growing pains in your community? Here’s timely advice for managing growth by planning for it together with your constituents.

Wendy Shabay Bonneau
Urban Planner

Annie Vest
What to Know About the New Oklahoma Disaster Mitigation Recovery Fund
The Oklahoma Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Matching Fund was created to help counties and municipalities impacted by natural disasters and has recently gone into effect. The fund, developed by Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks in House Bill 3819, is designed to help appropriate $5 million to aid counties and communities impacted by natural disasters or at risk for future loss in their application for recovery and mitigation project financing. The new fund is an opportunity to match federal grant programs like those from FEMA and others.
Learn MoreInnovation Spotlight: Sabine River Pump Station
The Sabine River Pump Station and Pipeline Project replaced an existing pump station that had reached the end of its design life. The project provides a more reliable water source during drought conditions as well as essential water supplies to serve industrial and municipal customers.
Learn MoreBrian King
Dan Christiansen
Taking Drones to New Heights for Your Projects
Learn how drones can improve your project documentation, inspection, emergency management and more – and save you time and money.
Learn MoreRebekah Gates
Current Drought Conditions in the United States
Learn the details of drought conditions in states across the Southwest and Southeast.
Learn MoreCivil Engineering Magazine Features Emergency Riverbank Project in Fort Worth
Our multidisciplinary team applied geomorphology expertise, innovation and a quick response to help Fort Worth Water design and implement emergency repairs for an eroding riverbank in a sensitive area.
Learn MoreJessica Brown
Compliance Window Closing for Submitting Water Emergency Preparedness Plans to TCEQ
Missed the SB 3 March deadline? Learn how Freese and Nichols can help you catch up.
Learn MoreBrandon Huxford
The Art of Public Involvement
As practitioners, we know that federally funded projects mandate public involvement. Instead of just “checking the box” when it comes […]
Learn MoreSignature Fort Worth Bridges Shine With RGB Lighting System
The three signature bridges for the Trinity River Vision Panther Island project near downtown Fort Worth feature RGB LED lighting […]
Learn MoreJessica Brown
What’s Next for Water Emergency Preparedness Plans
As Texas water utilities move from submitting their emergency preparedness plans to TCEQ into the implementation phase, here are important tips that can help with compliance.
Learn MoreMark Evans
USDOT Becomes First to Make Funds Available from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The USDOT has become the first agency to release funds from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to local governments, counties, states, authorities, districts, and others. The program improves upon the RAISE grant program with some additional goals for efficiency, equity and climate resilience.
Learn MoreTrey Shanks
Learn Best Practices for Infrastructure Asset Management During Five-Day Course
Professionals in the water, transportation and energy fields can learn techniques for planning, decision-making and budgeting to get the most out of their system’s infrastructure.
Learn MoreMAAPnext Flood Control Work Yields Next-Generation Management Tools
Next-generation watershed studies through the MAAPnext program have helped produce the nation’s most comprehensive set of flood hazard maps so Harris County communities can better understand and mitigate their risks.
Learn MoreFeatured Authors
-
Wendy Shabay Bonneau
Urban Planner
-
Craig Wells
Client Services Leader
-
Nina Reins
Water Resources Engineer
-
David Jackson
Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineer
-
Adam Conner
Hydrologist