Is Galveston Finished? (Houston, Converse, Bolivar Peninsula: house, casino, income)

[tstone]

Originally Posted by case44

By the way, gang, wasn't there a plan a few years back to replace the Bolivar Ferry with a high suspension bridge over the bay near Bolivar Peninsula?? Whatever happened to that plan?? Anyone know??

AFAIK, the locals took this to the polls and shot it down.

Looks like Hwy 87 is officially history. First the east half, now the west.

[mrman78]

No, of course it's not... Now, places on the Bolivar Peninsula (now Island?) maybe. Gilchrist anyone?

[southeasttexas]

Originally Posted by texas7

Lack of ferry service and highway 87 does not affect Galveston proper - that part of the city will be up and going again soon. That affects people and homes on Boliver Peninsula and Crystal Beach, etc.

Man, you really need to rethink that! 87 brings in TONS of money and tourists to Galveston, many from the pensiula, many from the Beaumont area, and many travelling from I-10. Without 87, a very large part of economic vitality will be cut off from Galveston. There is no doubt whatsoever of that.

[texas7]

Originally Posted by southeasttexas

Man, you really need to rethink that! 87 brings in TONS of money and tourists to Galveston, many from the pensiula, many from the Beaumont area, and many travelling from I-10. Without 87, a very large part of economic vitality will be cut off from Galveston. There is no doubt whatsoever of that.

I probably didn't phrase that correctly, I know it brings in a lot of $$ - what I was trying to say is that it isn't a part of Galveston proper and the main tourism areas and when people asks if Galveston will come back my comment that yes it will refers to the main area and point west. Boliver and Crystal are so damaged, it may take many years to recover and it wasn't a heavily commercialized area like the city of Galveston with big employers (such as UTMB). When those areas do recover, I don't think it will be the same type of residents. I have a suspicion that as it redevelops, only those with a lot of $$ will be able to afford the habitable areas whereas previously it was many older beach homes that had been in the family for years.

[C2H (ComingtoHouston)]

I'm glad that there's so much optimisim about Galveston. I read in the sunday paper yesterday that its shoreline receeds by 10 feet each year!!!

That's draws quite some concern with me. How much of the island will be left after say 10-15 years?

[Oildog]

No it will be rebuilt, there is only so much waterfront property. The cost of insuring the homes will be quite high. It may become a rich mans town. Mr. Fertitta may be licking his chops as he wont need to spend to much on demo work.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by Oildog

It may become a rich mans town.

Become? It was Fertitta's and the Moodys' house long before Ike, with everyone else paying the rent.

[recuerdeme]

I think I flew over Galveston on my way back into Houston Sunday... but not sure..

Are there any aerial photos yet?

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

As we all know Galveston took a hard hit from hurricane ike. Pretty much everything is devastated. I think people will think twice about living on a beach and investing in property there so the recovery process could take years. The Balinese Room (Historic Nightclub) was completely destroyed. Do you guys think it will be rebuilt? What do you guys think the future is looking like for Galveston Island?

Galveston is by no means finished. The 1900 storm couldn't wipe it out, and neither will this one. Galveston is full of exuberant, wonderful, strong people who will bring it back to its glory pre-Sept 12. The East End and Silk Stocking Districts, along with the Strand and much of Broadway, are intact and most structurally sound. Unfortunately, people who have chosen to build their houses against better judgement on the West End will no doubt have a hard decision, but I imagine they will rebuild. I also imagine insurance companies will require stricter building codes, even more strict than the post-1997 ones.

Galveston will prevail. I have great hopes.

[PixieB]

My husband and I had the opportunity to drive the whole west end, through to Surfside, earlier this spring. Even dined at the Purple Cow (?) restaurant. Pointe West was so attractive, but, I fear, no better off than anywhere else down there. And there was a new "neighborhood" community built just beyond the Seawall, on the ocean side. It seems it was call Avanti? Maybe/Maybe not. Any idea how these new developments faired? Not that I''m inteneding on moving there. Nope. I don't know where we will be moving/buying, at the end of our lease, but I do know where we won't. Really love this area, and am hopeful to be here for years to come to support everyone who stays and rebuilds.