Why didn't Houston develop more towards to Gulf? (Baytown, Sugar Land: construction, living)

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by cBach

You can't just exclude Florida just so you can make a point. The fact that so many large cities in Florida are right on the coast, actually most of the population is right on the coast and there is nothing in the middle except for Orlando, proves that you can build prosperous cities right along the coast in Hurricane Alley.

Did you know in Florida that all homes are concrete blocks? After Hurricane Andrew the new codes only permitted that in South Florida.

Houston is behind the times in this. You can build hurricane proof homes and they do it in Florida everyday. We just are stuck in this slab with wood frame mode.

http://www.businessinsurance.com/art...WS06/308199985

Sure you can. Florida is the outlier as far as development on the Gulf and Atlantic coast simply because it is a tourist/recreational based economy.

I'm not saying that more development in the Houston/Galveston area shouldn't emulate Florida's recreationally based development, in fact I'm all for that. But the OP asked "why didn't Houston develop more towards the Gulf" My answer is that's the way most major MSA's along the Gulf and Eastern seaboard have developed. Its that simple...

BTW "Declining" Galveston is on the cutting edge in hurricane proff and esthetically pleasing architecture .

http://www.kids-houston.com/Articles/beachtown.html

A new home builder wants to change the look of Galveston’s shore line | CW39 NewsFix

[cBach]

Those are some nice homes. We'll see if they ever get to Galveston. The problem in Texas is lack of codification.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by cBach

Those are some nice homes. We'll see if they ever get to Galveston. The problem in Texas is lack of codification.

Galveston has adopted the 2012 International Code, here is the link if you would like to peruse the codes to see if they are up to your specifications ! I believe the Beach City development and the steel house builder go above and beyond these specs.

International Building Code

[KerrTown]

Just a slightly higher tide flooded Galveston Island for the past few days. Now Houston proper is experiencing the rains coming in from Hurricane Patricia. This is depressing weather! Can't imagine having to experience this in Galveston for a few days while Houston was just overcast.

Now we know why everyone lives slightly inland in Houston. Who wants to deal with intermittent street flooding due to abnormal high tides and bands of rain that don't go inland? Oddly enough, later in the afternoon, the street flooding in Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula receded.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

Just a slightly higher tide flooded Galveston Island for the past few days. Now Houston proper is experiencing the rains coming in from Hurricane Patricia. This is depressing weather! Can't imagine having to experience this in Galveston for a few days while Houston was just overcast.

Now we know why everyone lives slightly inland in Houston. Who wants to deal with intermittent street flooding due to abnormal high tides and bands of rain that don't go inland? Oddly enough, later in the afternoon, the street flooding in Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula receded.

Rising tides ahead of storm raise concerns around Galveston Island | abc13.com

I guess this is the reason why Houston eventually won out over Galveston.

If Galveston would just construct storm protection levees on the Bay side (like the seawall), then they wouldn't see that.

[cBach]

The developments east of Stewart Beach are nice.

[AliefPropOwner]

The perpetual sound right now around Galveston Island is a drill and hammer. East side port booms are also fueling the renaissance.

I say 5 years and the island will have roared back to become the Texas destination spot before all very eyes. It will then not be cheap.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by AliefPropOwner

The perpetual sound right now around Galveston Island is a drill and hammer. East side port booms are also fueling the renaissance.

I say 5 years and the island will have roared back to become the Texas destination spot before all very eyes. It will then not be cheap.

But its population has still not rebounded. People want second homes on the island but do not want to live there.

[AliefPropOwner]

Originally Posted by cBach

But its population has still not rebounded. People want second homes on the island but do not want to live there.

A function of mainland jobs. The extensive rebound is (and will be shown) within wealth per capita statistics. Not many live on barrier islands throughout US. Galveston however is linked to, and has much closer accessibility to mainland major city and global commerce.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by AliefPropOwner

A function of mainland jobs. The extensive rebound is (and will be shown) within wealth per capita statistics. Not many live on barrier islands throughout US. Galveston however is linked to, and has much closer accessibility to mainland major city and global commerce.

But a wealthy person that has a second home will not be counted as a wealthy resident of Galveston.

The only advantage to locals is that their net value of their property is increasing, but so is their property taxes.