District 2 Newsletter

Recently the Industrial Development Corporation ( IDC ) discussed the possibility of funding a new 4.8 million dollar Soccer Complex for residents and visitors, at the current location of the Sandhill Crane Soccer fields on Stewart Road.

During this discussion it became clear, that if Galveston wanted this sports facility and others to return the best possible benefit to the community and support the quality of life for our residents, it will require a collaborative effort of the City, GISD, Texas A&M Galveston, Galveston College and the Park Board.

The Galveston Economic Development Partnership ( GEDP ) has been exploring the potential of Sports Tourism for years and I and other IDC members attended their recent Tourism Task Force Meeting to discuss how a true collaborative effort could be developed.

Sports Tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the Tourism Industry and could possibly be made to order for our Community. Where many communities focus on attracting Sporting events, they don’t have much to do other than the games themselves. In Galveston a family can come for the Sports Tournament and also have multiple other things to do.

Recent research has outlined four significant ways that Sports Tourism can benefit a community:

* Stimulate the local economy
(direct spending related to the use of sport facilities and services; visitors' and public spending for goods and services; employment opportunities, and tax revenue)

*Enhance the area's image

*Provide outstanding entertainment and in some instances, the opportunity for community participation

* Contribute to the resident's quality of life

Sports Tourists are family oriented, spend multiple nights on the Island and are prone to experience all the Island has to offer between games.
As the Sports Tourism Task Force Meeting was coming to an end, all the participants were supportive of meeting again and discussing a more formal structure for managing this growing industry and to see how it might fit with our community.
Galveston is known for our Beaches, Historic Structures and Island Ambiance and maybe, in a not too distant future, we will be known as the place to be for soccer, baseball, rugby cheerleading or gymnastic tournaments.

Have a Invigorating and Sporting March !

Craig

Campaign Update

We are down to the final 2 months of our race for Mayor. What an exciting time for all of us to make sure my message and vision are communicated to all residents. Please join my campaign as we work together to continue the work and improve the quality of life for us all.

Check out the website and like and share our
Facebook page.
www.craigbrownformayor.com
facebook.com/craigbrownformayor

Pelican Island Bridge

At February’s IDC Meeting, County Commissioner Ken Clark gave an update as to the status of a new Pelican Island Bridge.

The current bridge has a limited life span and a new 105 million dollar bridge, that will swing to the west and terminate north of the Texas A&M campus, is planned. Funding for the bridge will come from Tx.Dot, Houston Galveston Area Council, Galveston County, Port of Houston, TAMUG and 5 Million Dollars from the City of Galveston.

Discussions also include the concept that the City would take ownership of the bridge once completed and would share with the County, any cost overruns during construction. These two stipulations will need to be discussed much more before a final decision is made by the City.

Industrial Development Corporation

As mentioned earlier, the concept of a first class Soccer Complex was discussed at the most recent IDC meeting. Currently 4.8 million is preliminarily earmarked for the project that would approach completion in 2024. More discussion will take place at future IDC meetings before a final determination is made.

At that same meeting the operation of Lasker Pool was discussed. As you may remember the IDC initially provided some of the funding for the Community Pool and has made a commitment to continue assisting with maintenance funding in the future. The Pool is a wonderful asset for the Residents of Galveston and the IDC is committed to continue to provide operational assistance.

Cultural Arts

At the recent Cultural Arts Commission Meeting a number of topics were discussed.

Public Art: The Commission is awarded $50,000 annually for Public Art. The application for projects and the guidelines for submission are being finalized by the Commission and being reviewed by the City’s Legal Department.

There was discussion to initiate the call for projects in January of 2021 to allow for proper vetting of the application and guidelines. If that is approved at the next Commission meeting, it would allow for $100,000 to be available for allocation.

City Flag: The Commission discussed having a call for projects for designs for an official City Flag in the near future. The criteria for submission would follow the guidelines of the North American Vexillological Association for principles for Flag Design. The Commission will present to Council an update as to the process and timeline for the selection of a City Flag at their March 24th meeting.

For more specifics concerning guidelines for Flag designs, please CLICK HERE.

City Council Snippets

Galveston Honored Again As A Tree City USA Recipient.

Palm Ordinance Deferred To Council’s March Or April Meeting.

Leave No Trace Beach Program’s Hours Are Now From Sunset to 7:00 am.

Trolley Barn Being Flood Proofed To Protect Trolleys.

Senior Citizen Discount To Begin At 65 Years Of Age For Lasker Pool.

Civilian Review Reinstated Following Changes To Comply With State Law

Council’s March Meeting Moved to Tuesday, March 24th.